Scariest Part of Revelation

Recently I started a new guys group and while we were talking about what they wanted to study in our time together the first thing out of their mouth was Revelation - I thought they were nuts, but decided to do it anyway. During our first meeting on the book I asked what all they knew about Revelation. They went on to tell me who the author was and that it was a scary book about the end of the world. Anytime I have ever asked people what they know about Revelation I always seem to get that same answer. People look at the beasts, dragons, marks, and all types of other things when in reality if you look at the big picture you don't see a scary book, instead you see a book of love. Revelation is a book that screams even when times get tough God is going to be there. In the words of Mark Moore "any believer who reads this book (Revelation) and walks away scared rather than strengthened has misread it."

However, there is a part of Revelation that does scare me a little. In chapters 2 and 3 while Jesus is writing letters to 7 churches there is something that grabbed my attention. In these letters Jesus talks about 3 different dealings with the church. 1. Jesus says it is I who bring these words. More or less you better listen to what I'm about to say... 2. Jesus gives an evaluation of the church - where they are at the current time (this part is amazing to me, because Jesus paints a picture of the modern day church). 3 Jesus says if you don't get your act together you will never make it when you have to face the dragon and the beast. Basically Jesus says if you are not solid you will not make it. 

When I read all this my heart began to sink. I can't speak for everyone, but most churches I know have many of the qualities found in these churches. To the church in Ephesus Jesus says you have gone through some tough times and stayed the course, but I hold this against you because you have forgotten your first love. As a church we get so caught up in "making it" that we forget why we are the church in the first place. We are the church of Jesus because we love Him, we need Him, we count on Him - and we cannot forget our first love.

Then to the church in Sardis Jesus says I know what you do; I know you have a reputation for being alive, but in fact you are dead! WAKE UP! Remember what you have received and what you have heard, obey it and repent! God is not interested in us going through the motions for the sake of filling an hour on Sunday, but He wants us to know and remember what He's done. And once we get to that point that we are going through the motions we must repent and turn back to Jesus.

Jesus, I need you today. Move in me God. Forgive me when I become complacent and just go through the motions. Bring me closer to You so I can lead others to You. Thanks for grace! 

Amen 

ps. If you want to do a group study of Revelation I highly recommend Mark Moore's How To Dodge A Dragon. It breaks it down and makes it very applicable to us today.