Revelation – Page 9 – Be Still…

Revelation 2:1-7 – Turn Back to God

You are never going to find the perfect church. Why? Because they are made up of people. Not all people enjoy the same things. What makes good preaching, good music, good outreach, good stewardship? The answers will be different depending on who you ask.

The messages Jesus is sending to the seven churches will dig deeper and look at the heart. Each of these messages will have a similar pattern. In fact, you might even want to make a table and take notes so you have a dandy reference tool after we’ve read all seven messages. Your headings would be “Church” “Description of Jesus,” “Praise,” “Rebuke,” “Challenge,” and “Promise.”

Revelation 1:9-20 – Majesty

Read Revelation 1:9-20

Can you imagine if during your quiet time Jesus appeared to you in all his dazzling splendor like he did for John? What a beautiful vision this was for John, for the seven churches, and for us. We see John, suffering in exile to the Island of Patmos, and then he receives this glorious opportunity to share more of what has fueled his life. To share the revelations of Jesus Christ himself.

As we read through the book of Revelation, we are going to encounter a lot of imagery. My goal, and I hope yours is, too, will be look to for the meaning for us. I’ll do my best to lead us through together. What did John see? Jesus. But not how he had last seen him.

Revelation 1:4-8 – Who is Speaking to Us?

Read Revelation 1:4-8

We see Revelation is being written as a letter from John to the churches in Asia. I was thankful for a side note to clarify this is not what we know today as Asia, but rather a Roman province in what is now western Turkey. I am guessing there were more than 7 churches in that region, but we know the number 7 signifies completeness. The seven chosen here should represent all churches.

We see a salutation that we may recognize from Paul’s letters. Grace and peace to you. Such a wonderful greeting, don’t you think. John is quick to add who this greeting is from. We see what could be interpreted as the “Trinity” here. From God the Father, God the Spirit, and God the Son. The authority from heaven will be speaking to us, just as it did in letter form to the audience of churches.

Revelation 1:1-3 – Be Blessed

Read Revelation 1:1-3

Verse 3 reads, “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” You are my church, part of the body of believers who I have the privilege of sharing my reflections with. You are special to me. It is always my prayer that these devotional ramblings of mine will somehow touch your heart and draw you closer to the heart of God. I have been feeling drawn the Book of Revelation for a couple months, and I look forward to being on this journey through the book with you.

David has shared with me several books which I will be using as reference when I feel stuck or want to dig deeper. The Book of Revelation is going to challenge us, and I want to do my best to bring it alive for you and all my readers (as well as myself). The books I have are “Breaking the Code” by Bruce Metzger, “Joy in our Weakness” by Marva Dawn (personally autographed by the author), and “Revelation and the End of All Things” by Craig R. Koester. Have you read any of them?