​3/27/2020 Friday

Revelation 11:15-19 NLT
"15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven:
“The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”
16 The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. 17 And they said,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty,
    the one who is and who always was,
for now you have assumed your great power
    and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were filled with wrath,
    but now the time of your wrath has come.
It is time to judge the dead
    and reward your servants the prophets,
    as well as your holy people,
and all who fear your name,
    from the least to the greatest.
It is time to destroy
    all who have caused destruction on the earth.”
19 Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm."
 
Readings from the book of Revelation can be hard to understand and even scary at times. In my ministry, I have encountered people who were heavily interested in this final book of the Bible and others who avoided it at all costs. Both groups of people, and even those who fall somewhere in the middle, need to remember that the central message of Revelation is hope. That was the message for the early church, and it is still the message for us today. These verses remind me that God is God, and I am not. The only proper response for me is to worship and trust him. Let us have faith and be encouraged by this message of hope today. 
 
Reread today's passage. How do you see the message of hope revealed in its words?