Third Day is one of my favorite Christian bands. Yet even so while listening to their 'Revelation' song a discerning hear might wonder what they seek when they sing 'Give me a revelation. Show me what to do.' Do they mean give me words from the Bible, God's inspired revelation? Do they mean give me inspiration from God beyond the Bible? Do they mean something less precise and more poetic?
The last nine verses of the Bible are revelation from God that show us what to do.
12) "Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. 13) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14) Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15) Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16) I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
17) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. 18) I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. 19) If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. 20) He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly."
Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
21) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.
Revelation 22:12-21 (WEB)
This Scripture has excellent counsel to show us what to do. First and foremost, we need to prepare our hearts to stand before the King, Jesus Christ, who will reward those who obey his commands and punish those who disobey. Second, we need to repent from sorcery, from sexual immorality, from murder, from idolatry, and from lying. Third, we are warned not to add revelation to God's Holy Word.
In light of this revelation from God's book of Revelation, we are sternly warned not to seek revelation beyond God's Holy Word. The Bible is sufficient to show us what to do. So hopefully the Third Day song did not intend that message.
It may be that the words of Third Day's 'Revelation' song are less precise and more poetic. It is a moving song with a catchy beat. Thankfully the revelation of Revelation 22:12-21 is also moving, in fact gravely moving, and shows us exactly what to do. We ought to put those word to a catchy beat as well!
Third Day, 'Revelation' song lyrics follow...
My life has led me down the road that’s so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Tryin’ to find my way, tryin’ to find the faith that’s gone
This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I’m tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You
My life has led me down this path that’s ever winding
Through every twist and turn I’m always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without
I don’t know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won’t You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it’s the only way that I can get back home
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You
Oh, give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You
