‘Some people think that educational study happens only when we are young; they then put down their books and stop taking on new ideas…’
A Short Word From Josée
I would like to think that experiencing this brief overview of the Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel has kindled your interest enough to want to explore these things to a deeper level.
Maybe this could be with a friend, or a small group of friends, with the aim of equipping yourselves for the challenges which will come at the time of the end.
This is not to fill ourselves with fear. The very opposite! Instead to become Christians in love with our Lord who are radiating the confidence of those who have heard him ‘at the door’, opened it and invited him in to ‘eat with them’ (Revelation 3:20).
Exploring these two wonderful books is fulfilling and exciting, as we start to understand something of the events of the ‘end times’. However, we must never forget that Daniel was willing to give up his life because of his love and devotion to God, which was more important to him than any knowledge of the end times. He understood that he was a man greatly beloved by God (see Daniel 9:23, 10:11 and 10:19).
Similarly, the Apostle John was picked out as the one “loved by Jesus” in John 21:20 and John 13:23 and he was given the unique privilege of writing down the words and visions of the “Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ”.
Two men – used by God because they had experienced the life-changing power of the love of God.
Josée Hawkins, November 2022
About Josée
Josée Hawkins was born in Rugby, England in 1931. In her teens, she moved with her family to Australia, where she met her future husband Phil. They were married in Melbourne in 1951.
Phil and Josée returned to the UK in 1957 with 2 children (Laurie and Vicki). Their third child, Jim, was born in 1965.
Josée always wanted to be a teacher, but it wasn’t until she was in her retirement that she finally fulfilled this dream. She went to Bournville College, and then the University of Central England, Birmingham. She graduated in 2002 (aged 71!) with an M.A in Education and Professional Development. Her final thesis was titled ‘The Impact of a Christian Counselling Training Course on the personal development and counselling skills of students’.
Testimonials
“My wonderful mother is a lifelong Bible student with a love of the word. Mum has a deep desire to share it with everyone she meets.
I have fond memories of our family reading three passages from the Bible every day, and Dad and Mum lovingly helping Vicki and me to understand the words we had just taken turns to read.
Thanks to their enthusiasm for the Gospel message and the warnings from prophesy, we learnt truths that stayed with us for life, Thank you Mum and Dad.”
Laurie Hawkins (Josée’s son)
“My dearest mother Jo Hawkins has lived a long and fruitful life always full of love and enthusiasm for the Bible. Even in her nineties, her passion is to share with others the messages found in the prophecies of Revelation and the book of Daniel. These books are not easy to understand but they give us illumination on world events in these uncertain times. Jo draws us to examine the days ahead with the assurance that there will be “a New Heaven and a New Earth” and that the best preparation for troubled times is to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
There is this special promise in the very first chapter of Revelation:
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Ch. 1:3)
My parents, Jo and Phil Hawkins, experienced many blessings as they studied the Bible and also by pursuing their love of learning – gaining their Master’s degrees in their seventies and teaching training courses in Christian counselling for many years. Their 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 6 great-children have been richly blessed by their prayers and example.”
Vicki Wheeldon (Josée’s daughter)
“Josée has lived a long and fascinating life that has touched so many people over the decades. Now, in her 90s, her impact is as great as ever, as she tirelessly and frequently meets groups of people who share her infectious enthusiasm for the Bible. What a knowledgeable, loving and passionate teacher of God’s Word she is!
Her dear husband, Phil, who died in 2014, was also a great Bible teacher and speaker. They were wonderful, loving parents to their three children, who so valued growing up in a home where there was always serious consideration and talk of what is truly important in life – and every conversation centred on Jesus Christ and His love for us.
Some people think that educational study happens only when we are young; they then put down their books and stop taking on new ideas. Josée, however, epitomises the opposite attitude, and she has never stopped learning, at any point in her life, whether through academic degrees or her daily and voracious reading habits. What an example to us all!”
Jim Hawkins (Josée’s son)