It has been said of Revelation that it is the one book of the Bible that gets more questions asked of it than any other. At the same time, it is likely true that it holds the distinction of being the most avoided book in the Bible.

Revelation has a reputation: it is scary, disturbing, filled with sacred secrets, needs to be decoded and is difficult to understand. Whatever you know about Revelation, put it aside for these readings. Just read. Listen for God to speak to you. Avoid asking questions of the text; let the text address you.

Knowing these three things might help you in your final reading:
1.    Revelation means "unveiling," and contains things we might not otherwise know.
2.    Revelation is apocalyptic literature commonly characterized by visions, battles, and symbolic meanings.
3.    Revelation is prophetic; that is, it points to the second coming of Christ.

Beyond that, two additional aids:
1.    Read it for what it is and not for what it isn't.  Most particularly, it is not a code book.
2.    Read it with everything you know to be true about God, namely, that God is love, God is good, and God is with us.

God bless you as you finish your reading of the Bible! God bless the end of your year. God bless you in the new year!

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CONGRATULATIONS! You have read the Bible; cover to cover, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, word by word!  Well done, good and faithful servant!

But, there's one more bit of business. Our journey together is not over until we meet again. Please join me on Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. for our final get together. You will receive a New Testament Bookmark with a Bible verse and theme word for each of the NT books. Bring your highlighter and we will look them up together as we review where we have been.

Don't worry if you live out of town. We will post the bookmark on the SPD website so you can print your own copy.