Listen Up!

REVELATION Number 61
Listen Up

Revelation 3:22 “The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (NASB 2020)

Eight times in The Revelation we are advised to have ears to hear and to use them to listen to the Lord. Jesus repeated this refrain many times in the “synoptic Gospels” (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke) as well.

We have all seen adolescent children who turn a deaf ear to their parents’ instruction. They do not have ears to hear the counsel of their parents. They are obstinate and rebellious, choosing to set aside guidance that is given for their good.

Where the things of the Lord are concerned, we are well advised not to be obstinate or rebellious like adolescent children. Instead, let’s open our ears, soften our hearts, and be attentive to what the Lord has to say to us.

We are about to embark on a journey together through the remaining chapters of The Revelation. This is a book that has been the source of a great deal of fear, confusion, and disagreement over the years. Let that not be the case with us. As we travel together through the most perplexing parts of this wonderful and glorious revelation of our lovely Lord Jesus, let’s expect to grow in His grace and in the knowledge of Him. Let’s anticipate knowing more about who He is, His plan for humankind, and how best to understand our current tribulation.

In Matthew 13:41–43 Jesus, speaking about the time of the consummation of the new creation said, “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH LIKE THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears, let him hear.” (NASB 2020)

Friends, if the Spirit dwells in you, if you are in Christ, YOU will shine forth like the sun. The one who has ears, let him hear.