Study To Show yourself Approved!

 

Study to Show Yourself Approved!

 

I recently heard a popular TV minister quote Revelation 1:1 to make a valid point. The thing that bothered me was that he did not quote the complete verse, only the first five words, because that was the point of his message. The issue to me is not his point, which I agree with but that by only quoting the part of the verse he only taught half of the message of the verse and left off the part which did not agree with his point.

 

 Revelation 1:1 (first five words) “The revelation of JESUS CHRIST!” NKJV

Revelation 1:1 (complete) “The revelation of JESUS CHRIST, which GOD gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,” NKJV

Revelation 1:1-3 (GOD’s complete statement) “The revelation of JESUS CHRIST, which GOD gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the Word of GOD, and to the testimony of JESUS CHRIST, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophesy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” NKJV

 

I found it the same in KJV, MEV, ESV and CJB. My problem is with anyone (and I did it in the past) who quotes only a portion of scripture or scriptures to support their point. I believe (and I now always try to make sure that I quote only the full scripture or scriptures) that it is wrong to  use only a part of a scripture to make your point.

 

The Pastor’s message title was, “JESUS in Revelation”, his point was that the first five words of revelation make that point. His theme was, “If you read Revelation and do not see JESUS then you missed the point.” And I agree! His sub-title was “Revelation is about JESUS not the End Times.” Every book of The Bible is about JESUS (even the ones removed by King James and left out of our modern versions).

 

Revelation is about JESUS, JESUS is in every chapter of Revelation, not just allegorically but actually. But, Revelation is also about “…things which must shortly take place…” Peter reminds us, “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with The LORD one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:7-8 (emphasis added) study the whole chapter. A short time to GOD is not the same as a short time to humans. GOD is not affected by time as we are since we are created within time by GOD and time exists within GOD since He created it.

 

This is why I, now always tell people to read The Bible for yourself, even better, study The Bible for yourself, so that you can “Be diligent to present yourself approved to GOD, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing The Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (emphasis added) study all of chapters 2 and 3. Not to be critical of others but so you know The Truth when you hear it and know what is not true when you hear it.

 

This is the point of this essay; you are responsible before GOD to know The Truth and to live according to The Truth and you will only know The Truth if, “Then JESUS said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free’” John 8:31-32

 

Seek GOD First! GOD Bless, Bob & Charlene