The 5 W's

706. "The 5 W's"          March 5, 2013
Revelation 22-Part 29
And he said to me, These sayings are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 
Revelation 22:6 KJV 

LET IT GLOW

While in school I remember the 5 W's that we used in reading or telling about a story, a book, or even writing. I think they will apply here:

Who? The Lord God sent His angel to His servants. (verse 6)
What? He sent the sayings of the prophecy of this book. They are faithful and true.
When? The time is at hand. (verse 10) It will be shortly done. (verse 6) Jesus is coming quickly.
             (verse 7) It's the end of this age.
Where? It's talking about the old world as we know it, and the beginning of the new world.
Why? So we can serve God. (verse 3)

We are promised a blessing to whoever heeds the words of the book in light of the soon coming of Christ. (verse 7) It has been a blessing to study in depth this book, which I have avoided some 40 years. It has been challenging me, also.

Do we believe what is faithful and true? It's warnings and blessings come from God the Father, through Christ, by the power of the prophetic Spirit, and could not be more reliable. This inspired source of truth can be trusted. (Swindoll)

Do we anticipate what has been predicted? Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. (Isaiah 46:11) We are to live in a constant state of readiness, always looking to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.

Will we heed what has been revealed? Hearing isn't the same as heeding. Heeding implies responding to admonitions and obeying commands. The primary purpose of prophecy is not knowledge but obedience. By seeing the ultimate consequences of sin, we should turn away from wickedness in our own lives. (Swindoll)

Things to ponder.

LET IT GROW

The angel completed his message to John by instructing him not to seal up the prophecy of the book (verse 10). It was meant to be read, studied, understood, and applied, not sealed up and stacked on a shelf to collect dust. They warnings of this book must be proclaimed in order to turn as many as possible away from the lake of fire. At the same time, we believers must keep our eternal home in the center of our current hope, letting its truths purify us as we await our coming Lord. (Swindoll)

Could the final words of the angel be warning: You wrong-doers, go ahead and keep doing wrong. Just see what happens in the end. All unclean sinners, keep rolling in the mud. If you ignore God's free grace for cleansing, you will be ashamed later. You righteous and holy saints, keep practicing righteousness and keep being holy. In due time, you will get your reward.

Worship God, is what the angel told John as he got caught up in the moment and bowed to the angel. God alone is to be worshiped, only Him. It can only be done through Jesus, for God cannot look upon sin. Jesus covers us with His blood, washing our heart clean, when we confess our sins and ask forgiveness. I recall the first of the Ten Commandments-Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Ex.20:3)
And Jesus said the greatest of those commandments was Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matt. 22:37)

LET IT GO

Love God most and first.

Heed His Words.

Look for His coming.

Share the truth with others.