WHY STUDY REVELATION?
We all desire to know the future. It is natural to be interested and curious about what lies ahead. What will happen in the days to come? If we want to know the future, we must not seek answers from fortune-tellers or horoscopes. Instead, we should turn to the one who truly knows the future: God Himself. God has revealed the events of the future with certainty in His Word, the Holy Scriptures.
How we thank God that we have His Word in our hands today! God gave His Word by divine inspiration, and throughout the ages, He has preserved it and kept it pure for us. Not a single detail is lost. In a road map, missing details can lead us astray. But God, in His perfect wisdom, ensured that His map for our lives—our journey to heaven—retains every detail. Not one jot or tittle is missing. Every important landmark is there, guiding us to our heavenly home surely and safely.
To Know What Lies Ahead
We are particularly grateful for this book of Revelation. God wants us to know what lies ahead, and this is why the very first verse begins with the words, “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word “revelation” comes from the idea of revealing or making known. This applies not only to the book of Revelation but also to the entire Bible, which is the revelation of God. Through it, God reveals Himself and His good plan for us. We have a good God, and He has a good plan for us.
As God’s people, we are privileged to have the book of Revelation. It unveils what will soon take place, as described in Revelation 1:1: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” These events are not only certain but will come to pass shortly.
That is why we study the Book of Revelation: so that we may be blessed. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” The Greek word for “blessed” here is makarios, which means happiness—but not just ordinary happiness. It refers to superlative happiness, a blessedness that comes from God, originating not from the world but from heaven itself. This blessing is exclusive to believers.
To Trust and Obey God
To be blessed, we must read, hear, and keep God’s Word. What does it mean to read, hear, and keep? To read means to know. Knowledge is essential, and you gain knowledge by reading. If you are unable to read, then you must hear. Hear what? Hear the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17).
The Christian faith is not a superstitious or ignorant religion; it is an intelligent faith. To be blessed by God, we must fill our minds with the truth of His Word. This is why the pulpit ministry takes centre stage in our worship services. Worship is not just about singing or praying—it is also about knowing God’s Word.
We live in times where people are searching for answers amid pain, suffering, and evil in the world. They may ask, “What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Is life worth living?” We have the answer: Yes, there is a God—a good and loving God—who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. If they believe in Him, they will be saved. People need to hear this good news. Invite them to church. Encourage them to study the Book of Revelation, which is rich in both prophecy and the Gospel of Christ.
It is not enough just to know the Scriptures. Equally important is understanding them. Some people may read and know what is written in the Bible, but they fail to grasp its meaning. Merely knowing is insufficient for salvation—you also need to understand what you have read.
The word “hear” here goes beyond the mere act of listening; it carries the additional idea of understanding. Thus, we can read the verse as: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that understand the words of this prophecy.” Understanding is essential, not just knowing.
There are many who read but do not understand. We must pray that as we read, we also understand what is written in this book. If you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit within you—the Spirit of Truth. This Holy Book is the Word of Truth, and the Spirit will guide you into all truth. Every true believer is capable of understanding the contents of this book, for spiritual truths are spiritually discerned.
If you find yourself not understanding, something is dreadfully wrong. It may indicate a serious spiritual condition, as the Holy Spirit enables believers to discern and understand the Scriptures—You are not saved!
To Be Sure We Are Saved
You may ask then, “What must I do to be saved?” Actually, there is nothing we can “do” to be saved. Doing or working cannot get you or me saved. It is only by believing in Jesus Christ can we be saved: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom 10:9).
You must pray to the Lord. If you pray earnestly for understanding, God can be merciful to you. Through His Spirit, He can grant you understanding and repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding is a gift of God’s grace, enabling you to believe and be saved: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit 3:5).
However, knowing and understanding alone are still not enough for salvation. There are those who may profess to be Christians, saying, “Yes, I know the Bible. I understand it. I agree with it.” But mere agreement does not equate to saving faith. God is not impressed by mere intellectual knowledge or understanding. True faith requires heart knowledge and obedience.
Obedient Faith, Not Demonic Faith
This is why we must not only read and hear God’s Word but also obey it. Obedience to the Scriptures is essential. Without it, salvation remains incomplete. Simply knowing and agreeing with the truths of Scripture is insufficient. This kind of faith mirrors that of Satan and his demons, who know and believe in God’s existence yet remain condemned. James 2:19 highlights this: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” The demons recognise God’s sovereignty, understand their eventual judgement, and agree with the facts of Scripture, but they are still destined for destruction.
Similarly, there are those who claim to believe but show no change in their lives. This is not saving faith—it is a false faith, like that of demons. Such “believers” misuse God’s grace as a licence to sin, thinking they can indulge in worldly pleasures and still inherit heaven. This kind of self-deception leads to damnation. We must understand that true faith involves more than intellectual assent. True saving faith results in obedience. As James warns, “faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:26).
Genuine faith leads to repentance, confession of sin, and a desire to obey God. Faith that does not produce obedience is like someone entering a restaurant, seeing and smelling the delicious food, but refusing to eat. It provides no nourishment or benefit. In the same way, mere assent without action is useless.
Lively Faith That Works
Revelation 1:3 emphasises this threefold response—Read, Hear, Keep: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” It is not enough to read and hear; we must also obey. Obedience demonstrates the sincerity of our faith and secures God’s blessings. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). True love for Christ compels us to follow His Word.
Saving faith engages the mind, heart, and will, resulting in a transformed life. Those who obey God’s Word experience spiritual growth, assurance of salvation, and the joy of belonging to Christ. While believers still struggle with sin and may falter, true faith drives them to seek forgiveness, turn from sin, and strive for holiness. They grieve over their sins, confess them, and resolve to live in obedience to God’s commands. This ongoing transformation is evidence of God’s work in their lives.
Let us examine our faith. Is it marked by obedience and a desire to honour God? True faith is a living, active faith that bears fruit, grows in grace, and reflects the character of Christ. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jas 2:26). A living faith brings spiritual blessings and the assurance of eternal life. JK
[The book of Revelation will be taught chapter by chapter, verse by verse, by Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo at FEBC this semester, beginning July 21. Don’t miss this opportunity—sign up now at www.febc.edu.sg.]
A THREE-WHEELER TO HASTEN THE GOSPEL
Rev Dr Jose Lagapa
Praise the Lord! We thank God for His immediate answer to the prayers of the Interim Committee of Christlife BPC in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, Philippines. A covered vehicle was urgently needed by Pr Marvin Mainit and his wife, who, after conducting the morning worship service at Christlife BPC, would travel by motorbike for over an hour to the Bantuanon Mission Station. Rain or shine—whether under the scorching sun or drenched by downpour—they have faithfully ministered to both stations every Lord’s Day.
Thank God for the gift of SGD 5,000 from a sister who providentially heard the missions report at the last True Life BPC Camp. The vehicle (Bajaj RE) has been purchased.
Please pray for more fruit in these mission stations.
