Over the years since that enquiry the book of Revelation has become a favorite of mine. I believe that its message is perennially relevant to our lives and times. I believe that it is what it claims to be: a revealing or prophecy of what is really taking place, in the present and the future, given by an angel to John the apostle, a word of God and the testimony of Jesus. If we read it, and hear it, and take it to heart, we will be blessed because the time for the coming of God's kingdom is near and we need to be ready for it. The message is the same as that recorded in the Gospels by Jesus: "The kingdom of God is near - it is at hand - it has arrived." (Mark 1:15) If we want our lives to be blessed we will take this message seriously - we will believe this good news. We will conduct our lives accordingly.

This vision came to John, the oldest surviving apostle at the time, who was overseer, senior pastor, or bishop, of the churches of the province of Asia from the great Roman city of Ephesus. During the end of the reign of the Emperor Domitian (81-96), who called himself Lord and God, there was severe persecution of Christians. John was an old man when he was exiled to Patmos because of his faithful witness to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He describes himself as "your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus." He wrote to seven of his congregations who were struggling to survive in a hostile culture under a military, totalitarian dictatorship. When we think that we are in bad straits at this stage in our history we need the perspective that John gives us of what he and his fellow-believers had to patiently endure.

He was instructed him to write down his vision. He looked and saw someone like a son of man, echoing the vision of Daniel 7:13 - "I looked and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all people, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." He was dressed like a high priest, his eyes were like blazing fire, his feet like bronze and his voice like the sound of rushing waters. He held the stars in his right hand, out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

What would you do if you encountered such a majestic being? You would be overwhelmed, and awestruck. John fell down as though struck dead. Then this magnificent figure touched him and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

Earlier in the chapter Jesus has been described as "the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." He is the Lord of time:? the First and the Last. He is the Lord of life: the Living One. He is the Lord of eternity: he is alive for ever and ever. He is the Lord over Death: he holds the keys of death and Hades. Hades was a Greek deity who ruled over the realm of the dead. Death's power has been conquered. If Jesus is Lord of life and death, time and eternity, he certainly is ruler of all the kings of the earth, even of the Roman Emperor who was persecuting them. They need not fear him for ultimately Jesus must reign, and they will be raised with him from the dead to eternal life.

This is the message which the churches needed to hear: what is now and what will take place. These are the realities by which we also must live. He holds us in his hand. He keeps us safe with our guardian angels. He is present in the midst of us even though we may not be able to see him with our physical eyes.

"Do not be afraid." Do you fear the passing of time? What is time? "Time present and time past are both perhaps present in time future, and time future contained in time past." (T.S. Eliot, Burnt Norton) Who are we, if not creatures of time - as baby, child, youth, in the prime of life, and into our maturity? Do you see yourself as prisoners of time, of the past with all its opportunities, possibilities and regrets; of aging, of physical deterioration? "Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream dies at the op'ning day." (Isaac Watts) Do you fear being forgotten in time? Be not afraid, Jesus is Lord of time. He was there at the First and he will be there at the Last. He brought you into this world and will take you out of it. Put your trust in his ability to take care of you. He loves you. You are his own child.

Do you fear life with all its threats and challenges? Do you fear the present state of the nation and the world, the financial crises, the political impasses, the changes in the culture, the eroding of moral standards, the lack of commitment in relationships, the frightening crime statistics, the inability for many to find jobs? Does life frighten you? Do you fear not being able to measure up to the expectations of others? Are you fearful for your children and grandchildren? Be not afraid, Jesus is Lord of life, he is the Living One from whom all life comes, and who gives us life in all its fullness.

Do you fear eternity? Do you fear that there is no meaning or purpose to creation? Do you fear that it is all a matter of chance? Do you fear that we are condemned to repeat the mistakes of history? Do you fear what lies beyond this life? Do you fear hell? Do you fear extinction? Do you fear the abyss of utter and final loneliness? Do not be afraid, Jesus is Lord of eternity: he is alive for ever and ever. You need not be afraid if you trust in him. He tells you that nothing with snatch you from his hands.

Do you fear death? Do you fear dying? Do you fear pain? Do you fear the death of your loved ones? Do you fear the slow death of your hopes, and a downward spiral into final depression and despair? Jesus is Lord over Death: he holds the keys. He can unlock for you the mysteries and the promises of heaven. He has given us the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. He will never leave you or forsake you. He loves you and has freed you from your sins by his blood, and has made you to be a kingdom and priests to serve your God and Father.

Hear this vision and take it to heart. It can save you.