For the past 4-ish years, I’ve been reading through a Chronological Life Application Study Bible (this one to be exact). I actually bought it from the Family Christian Bookstore before it closed at the recommendation of one of their workers. And I am so glad that I did.

I just finished reading it a few days ago. It took me so long to get through it not only because I wasn’t in a hurry, but also because there was so much good stuff to read in it (commentaries, notes, maps, historical facts, etc.). And as I read through it, God proved to me over and over how His Word is alive.

With each story or lesson that I read, I felt as though I was actually living in the season of the story that I was reading. For example…

• When I was reading about the Israelites in the wilderness, I felt as though I was going through a very intense wilderness season. And other people used those words when I talked to them about the things I was going through. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was in a transition season… and how many of you know transition can make you feel like you’re in the wilderness?

• When Jethro was giving Moses advice about finding people to help him lead, I was given the exact same advice from my pastor regarding the ministry I was leading.

• When I was reading about Gideon and his need to have faith in a moment that seemed ridiculous, I was in the middle of making a decision that made absolutely no sense financially to most people.

There are so many more examples. I always knew God’s Word is living, but I guess I never expected it to come alive like that when I was reading it in chronological order.

And I surely never expected to get the same feeling while reading Revelation. Until I came upon the final chapter, verses 10-12.

Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

These words spoke STRAIGHT to my heart, because of the season I’ve been walking through. (The bolder part especially.)

You see, lately I’ve had a hard time with the injustices that surround me, especially in a particular environment. It is so hard for me to get over it when I see the same people always getting away with the same things. I’ve been this way my whole life, and I know I’m not the only one.

I also know I’m not perfect and there are probably things that I get away with, and I’m constantly reminding myself of that. But here’s the thing… I don’t want to get away with it. If I’m doing something wrong, then do something about it. I need that check!

Well, when I read these words, I clearly heard the Lord tell me to leave those people up to Him. It’s not my job to make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Nor is it my job to make sure people aren’t doing what they aren’t supposed to be doing.

He reminded me that He is my Avenger and Judge. The only thing that I need to do is make sure that my heart is in alignment with His and let Him take care of the rest. He sees all, knows all, and ultimately wins all.

He also reminded me that the more I focus on those people and the wrong they do, the less I focus on Him. OUCH!

To wrap it up, I’d like to share the final commentary note from my bible… (I bolded the parts that hit home for me)

Revelation closes human history as Genesis opened it—in paradise. But there is one distinct difference in Revelation—evil is gone forever. Genesis describes Adam and Eve walking and talking with God; Revelation describes people worshiping God face to face. Genesis describes a garden with an evil serpent; Revelation describes a perfect city with no evil. The Garden of Eden was destroyed by sin; but paradise is re-created in the new Jerusalem.

The book of Revelation ends with an urgent plea: “Come, Lord Jesus!” In a world of problems, persecution, evil, and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our efforts to better our world are important, but their results cannot compare with the transformation that Jesus will bring about when he returns. He alone controls human history, forgives sin, and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.

Revelation is, above all, a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. And it depicts the wonderful reward that is waiting for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

How amazing is that?