Know it all...

I’ve been called one.  I’ve called a lot of other people the same.  Truth is, there’s not one.  Nobody knows it all except God.  Even Jesus Christ didn’t know it all.


“Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven know.  The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.” (Mark 13:31-32 NIrV)

That used to be my excuse for not really applying myself to the study of  the book of Revelation.   Why try to figure it all out when Jesus Himself doesn’t know what day or hour?

I have discovered a huge truth this year as I attend Bible Study Fellowship and look at the scriptures of John’s Revelation.  It’s not about time stamps.  It’s not about knowing it all.

 I will never know it all until I awake on the other side of this realm.  Then I will “…see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1Cor. 13:12b NIV)   I can’t wrap my finite brain around the magnificent truths that are so other-worldly than my reality.


But John promised, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3 NIV)

I didn’t know it all when I began this study, I don’t know it all yet, and don’t expect to at the end of the year.

But I am blessed in the attempt.  I am blessed because it is a book that reveals Jesus Christ.  Not time stamps.

Pointing a finger....

There’s a saying about finger pointing.  You point one at someone else and three more point back at you.  I was taught as a child it wasn’t polite to point.  As an adult, I have learned that it is not beneficial to point out fault.  I’m guilty of it still, but I know it is counter productive.

Nobody likes their shortcomings pointed out, but the devil will do his best to insure that our faults are pointed out, even proclaimed.  He is called ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters’ in scripture.  (Revelation 12:10 NIV)  Satan got thrown out for his wrong behavior so he is quick to recognize wrong behavior in us and eager to point it out to God.  He accuses us every chance he gets.

And he gets plenty.

Jesus instructed us to  "Settle matters quickly with your adversary…” (Matthew 5:25 NIV)

When the devil accuses us we can be secure in acknowledging the truth that we do come up short. We are sinners.  Every single one of us.  “..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NIV)

I agree with Satan that I sin frequently and punishment is deserved.

But I do not live in condemnation.  I do not live under a burden of guilt.  Like those in John’s vision I have “…defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of my witness.” (Revelation 12:11 The Message personalized by me)

I have not defeated him by anything I have done or said.  The blood over the doorpost of my heart has defeated him.

My testimony of His grace defeats my enemy.

Not my rule keeping.
Not my attempts to alleviate my guilt
Nothing I do to make myself look better,.
No behavior I can add or subtract.
Not an emotional high.
Not enough time under baptismal water.
Not numerous times down the church aisle.
Not laying myself on the carpet of a church altar.

Absolutely no activity.

 “marturia- evidence given (judicially or generally): - record, report, testimony, witness.” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary)

My report echos John’s words on the shores of Jordan.

My fingers point with John’s.

"Behold, the Lamb of God!"  (John 1: 36 NIV)