revelation – Be Still…

Revelation 1:4-8 – Who is Speaking?

Read Revelation 1:4-8

God is speaking to us through John. John would have known Jesus in person for a few years of his life. Those were probably the biggest, most incredible years of John’s life. Now with all of that love for Jesus, John was given this revelation. It helps for us to put ourselves as closely to John’s contagious awestruck wonder as we can. To be given responsibility for such a precious, yet crucial message or revelation from God and the Lamb.

We see who John was initially addressing. We’ll discover more about these seven churches and how they can resemble what we see today in our local churches. In this way, Jesus’ revelation is more relevant than ever in present day. Continue reading “Revelation 1:4-8 – Who is Speaking?”

Revelation 1:1-3 – Be Blessed

Read Revelation 1:1-3

What authority John points to as he opens this final book in the New Testament! We can find peace knowing these words have been prepared by God himself for Jesus to share with us! “This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place.” Jesus knew our inquiring minds would be better equipped for life if we had the assurances we’ll find in Revelation. Considering the source of the revelation, we can trust what John is about to reveal to us.

Jesus had told his followers he would return one day. Many times in Jesus’ teachings he shared glimpses into the future. Like us, the disciples were so caught up in the present, looking to the future wasn’t easy. Revelation is an entire book, a gift from God himself, full of messages and revelations of the future involving our King Jesus. Continue reading “Revelation 1:1-3 – Be Blessed”

Advent ✝ Revelation 22:12-13 – Soon

Advent will end, just as Christmas morning dawns. The waiting and preparing for Christmas, Jesus’ first coming will be complete. We still have the waiting and preparing for Jesus’ second coming. That is something we have paid special attention to during Advent. Isn’t Jesus’ return something we should think about every day to keep the fires of readiness burning brightly?

Jesus said he was coming soon. Our final Advent reading takes us to the final chapter of the book of Revelation. That is such a great chapter. I remember writing the closing reflection of the book of Revelation back in 2020. Today’s text is from that chapter, and this is what Jesus says through John:

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”

Zechariah 1:18-21 – God’s Revenge

Read Zechariah 1:18-21

Horns, blacksmiths, and colorful horses! “Are we in the book of Revelation?” is the question that came to me as I read this passage. I understand Zechariah does have some apocalyptic sections. Clearly the visions God gave Zechariah are a bit different from how other prophets received their messages. I appreciate Zechariah for giving us a detailed account of what he saw and what the angel explained to him. We don’t have to guess!

If you’ve ever been bullied, then you know the feeling of relief when your perpetrator has been exposed and punished. The Israelite nation had been abused by “bullying” nations for years. This part of the vision was meant to give them the peace of mind that their “bullies” would be taken care of. Whatever residual fears they had could be cleansed away.

Obadiah 15-16 – The Day is Coming

Read Obadiah 15-16

What a way to start out this reading! “The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations!” Obadiah has focused up to now on Edom, the long-time rival of Israel. But Edom was not the only nation to rejoice at Judah’s fall. All nations will be judged for the way they have treated God’s people. Has the “day,” referred to here, happened yet?

We know Edom ceased to exist as a nation. That land is now divided between present-day southern Israel and Jordan. This part of Obadiah’s prophecy, then, points toward other nations being judged and destroyed. “Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history.”