I'm trying to work my way through Revelation.
Tough slugging.
But a blessed promise if we persist...
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. Revelation 1:3
Read. Hear. Keep.
Today I'm reading about having the seal of God in their foreheads. Revelation 9:4
Google that phrase and you can become entangled in a lot of man's theories.
I find myself saying often, "God, what do YOU think? What are YOU trying to say?"
I'm an extremist when it comes to books.
There's only one book for me. The Bible.
The rest, however greatly inspired, don't even come close to the Word of God.
Read the Bible first and often and you'll find there's very little time for other books.
OK, I know, that's extreme. I've already confessed that.
But do you want to know Truth?
The illustration has been used many times.
Bank tellers, the non-automated kind, in order to spot counterfeit bills, study very closely the real thing.
Same holds true for Truth.
If you want to know what's true, immerse yourself in Truth.
That would be Jesus.
How do we know Jesus?
Through His Word.
The Bible.
Any other way of coming to know Him must line up with the Word of God.
Whether it's some revelation in nature.
(For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—
have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,
so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20)
Whether it's something spoken deep in your heart.
A thought. An impression. A prophetic word.
Everything must line up with the Word of God.
In order to know Truth, we have to know Him.
And that comes through studying His Word.