Chapter 13

Revelation’s Diamond Word for Chapter 13 – “But that on the good ground are they, which in honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience”(Luke 8:15).

“JP,” continues Jesus, “don’t’ get too caught up in the beasts. You’ve met them many times before. In Ephesus they trodded down God’s Word and devoured it when the Christians there lost their first love (Luke 8:5).

“In Laodicea they dried up any enthusiasm the Gospel had sparked in that city. With no moisture left, the Christians there grew lukewarm, to be spewed out of the Lord’s mouth. (Luke 8:6).

In that same city, they choked out God’s Word with the “cares and riches and pleasures of this life,” (Luke 8:14) and made the Christians there “wretched and miserable” (Rev. 2:17).

“The number of those beasts is 666, If it were 777, they’d be perfect. Seven is a Biblical number fo whole and complete. If your number is 666, it means you’re always “ a day late and a dollar short”.

“JP, don’t just look at those cities. Look at yourself. God’s Word has been trodden down in your life, too. It has suffered from lack of moisture. You have felt it choked out of your heart. Nevertheless, God never stopped sending his Word your way. It ran forth and prospered n you. Out of all your misery and trodding down God created the good soil you have come to be.

“I had to drag you out here to Patmos to give you some time to think and pray. Thank God for all the beasts He has sent your way. They are the stuff of the endurance and faithfulness you enjoy now.

“Because of all God has put you through, you can now say to me and to my Father, “Whithersoever thou goest, I will go.” You can cling to God as Ruth clung to Naomi.

***

Since my wife died a year ago, I have learned the grief process has its own dragons and beasts. They sneak up on you unaware. Every dragon’s fire makes me drop what I need to let go; every beast chews away my self-pity and opens my heart to welcome whomever God sends my way.

“”Lord, give me an honest and good heart.” Amen.