The Straight and Narrow Way of God’s Will Is the Blessed Path

John, the son of Zebedee, had a grand vision of Jesus Christ one Sunday while working at a prison camp on the Isle of Patmos. As a result, he addressed letters to seven bewildered churches in what is now present-day Türkiye. They were confused because Rome, rather than Christ, seemed to be in control.

Revelation is about power, battle, freedom, faith, hope, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the conqueror. All Christians share His victory.

The first three sentences of Revelation 1 feature two words that are clues to its meaning. The first word in the Greek text is apocalypse. In English, it is translated as “revelation.”

Apocalyptic literature encompasses hiddenness, upheaval, and God’s decisive action. That certainly describes Revelation!

There is another keyword. The book is also a prophecy. The purpose of prophetic writing is both to predict future events and call people to repent.

It communicates information and expects a response. It promises a blessing to all who read and obediently hear it. It is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation means to expose in plain view what was once hidden or secret. It is always God who reveals in the New Testament.

Christ is the revealer in Revelation. He alone is worthy to disclose its contents.  He said these events will soon occur.

The idea that the end is near is common in the New Testament. The church has long expected the end of all things to be close.

That expectation motivates holy living. In other words, live as if Jesus could return today.

Much of the book’s symbolism is related to the Old Testament. In Revelation 1:3, God promises a special blessing to those who read the book and obey its message. This is the first of seven beatitudes in the book.

The word translated as “blessing” means to find the right pathway when there are competing false pathways. That is also the meaning of the word translated as “blessed” in Proverbs and Psalms.

God’s revealed will is the right pathway. On it, we find meaning and direction in life. It makes sense. It brings wholeness.

When we understand the meaning of being blessed, we should not use it casually. It does not express some superficial feeling. It communicates confident assurance that walking in God's pathway is good.

Even though circumstances might suggest otherwise, the path of blessing is the straight and narrow way of God's will. We are on that path to be a blessing to others.

Are you on that path? If not, I encourage you to begin following it today. What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,714 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,936 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)