I have a friend who reads the last chapter first when she starts a new book. She has always been a very inquisitive person, enjoying the process of analyzing how the story and characters are developed along the way. Knowing how the story unfolds with its concepts and characters relieves the tension of "having to know".

In light of the increasing turmoil of our days, I was led to read the last book and chapter of the Holy Bible, the book of Revelation, where a complete scenario of the events related to God's plan for the future is presented. The following verses leaped out at me:

Revelation 22:6-7 – Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." (NKJV)

My curiosity was piqued; I wanted to discern what the prophecy of Revelation was all about. I found out what the book was written to reveal:

Revelation 1:1 – The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. (NIV)

As the book progresses, Christ portrays His authority as He calls for repentance and gives unique warnings and challenges in His letters to the seven churches of Asia in chapters 2 and 3. An admonition is issued by the repetition of the sentence, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." The book continues to describe visions of the end of this age and the new heaven and earth, and discloses conditions that will be present in the end-times.

As world events unfold before our eyes, do we have an avid desire to know or to learn what the Bible has to say about them? How can we improve our outlook concerning the future?

Consider this:

• Study the major Old Testament "end time" prophecies in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah.
• Enroll in a Bible study group that is studying the book of Revelation to help unravel the meanings of these dramatic events.

As Christians, we can know that the events on the world stage are proceeding as planned, and we do not need to be afraid. Our heavenly Father knows the end from the beginning.

Revelation 22:13 – I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (NASB)

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us the end of the story. Enlighten our hearts as we study Your Word so that we will be prepared for Your coming again, when You will fulfill in us the promise of spending an eternal life with You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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