Growing up, one of my favorite movies was Disney’s animated Robin Hood.
As a parent, the classic is still in my collection–only I’ve upgraded from the chunky VHS to a DVD.
The kids re-discovered it on our shelf this afternoon, and I got to sit and watch (most of it) with them. It’s been awhile since they’ve seen it and they obviously didn’t remember the story line, so I found myself narrating often and explaining what would happen next so they wouldn’t fret for Robin’s safety. They didn’t have to be afraid when the executioner marched with the drumroll, or when Robin faced the flames and (SPOILER ALERT) nearly drowned.
The movie was far less frightening for them since they knew the outcome before it happened. They didn’t know how everything would play out, but they knew it would be good.
In the same way, it reminded me of how God has given us a glimpse into the outcomes of Heaven and Earth, through the Scriptures. Yes there’s the book of Revelation, but the theme of good vs evil, light vs darkness, God vs sin…the Bible is peppered with spoiler alerts to brace us for the ending. And for those who are sealed with Christ, that ending is good.
Don’t waste your life pretending this earthly existence is all you’ll experience. This is just the prelude.
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
– Revelation 22:10-21
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jess leigh hanna 