This apocalyptic book begins with the phrase “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”
or “The Jesus Christ Revelation.”
John has a vision of Jesus. The description of Jesus matches other visions of God or the Son of Man throughout the Bible.
Jesus now reigns at the right hand of God, but the book is pointing towards the return of Jesus when God’s redemptive plan for humanity is fulfilled.
Jesus’ message to the 7 churches encourages them to persevere through the persecution and the temptation they face living in “Babylon.”
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May 7, 2024
If you are unfamiliar with Revelation (not Revelations), you should know this is a very unique book and very unique type of literature. It’s called “apocalyptic” literature and it uses imagery of beasts and dragons to convey the point.
If you are familiar with Revelation, then I want you to read this differently than you’ve likely been taught.
As we read it, consider this first and foremost: what is Revelation showing me about how to live as a follower of Jesus in a world that opposes Him?
Most read it as if it’s just a timeline for the end times. If that was the only reason for the letter, then it’s been less than helpful for 2000 years. Instead, it is actually a remarkable guide in how to live as a dissident disciple while living in Babylon, and it assures us that in the end God will make all things right.
The evil nation of Babylon represents any nation which goes its own way rather than honor God and His ways. For the original churches reading this letter, Babylon was Rome.
Other resources to consider Revelation for the Rest of Us by Scot McKnight, Revelation for Everyone, and the videos on Revelation by the Bible Project.
We can learn to live in a Babylon in a way that Babylon doesn’t live us.
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May 6, 2024
The half brother of Jesus named Jude wrote an intense letter to the church. He warned them of false teachers who would try to take advantage of their kindness and inclusiveness.
These false teachers were denying Jesus and would attempt to seduce them into sexual immorality. For these kinds of abusers, there will be judgment.
God is loving, God is just. He cannot be loving without also being just. One day, God will make all things right and eradicate evil.
God never forces us into His presence, but all who turn to Him can be forgiven. We can experience hell (separation from God) and heaven (union with God) on earth and into eternity.
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May 5, 2024
John writes to a leader in the church who has been opening his home to those traveling.
In those days showing someone hospitality meant giving that person a platform as other believers would come to meet and hear from those visiting.
For this reason, John reminds Gaius not to open his home to false teachers who were spreading lies and dangerous teaching.
Who we listen to determines the direction we might go. Following Jesus and His ways leads to abundant life.
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May 4, 2024
We can discern the trustworthy teachers from false ones by how the person describes Jesus and by how they live their lives.
God is love, and Jesus demonstrated His love by laying down His life for us. That is how followers of Jesus are to live.
Once we surrender our lives to follow Jesus, the Spirit of God comes to live within us. With God’s help, we can live more sacrificially by dying to ourselves. We can be so transformed by God’s love that His love overflows through us.
Loving others is what distinguishes followers of Jesus from the rest of the world.
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May 1, 2024
Followers of Jesus trust Him and obey Him. We cannot say we follow Jesus and and not obey His commands. We cannot say we love God and hate our brother.
The Jewish authors of the Scriptures use an interesting communication technique to make their point. For example, they will say something like: “if you are not doing this, then you are a liar” Then they will remind their readers “But that is not who you are! You are an overcomer! You can become more like Jesus!”
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April 29, 2024
The Apostle John was an eyewitness of Jesus. He writes to believers going through a challenging season. Some had wandered away from their faith. Some were teaching their own version of spirituality. Some were living like the world.
He reminds them that making those decisions are not consistent with who they are in Christ.
When we make a mistake, God is faithful and just and will forgive. We can live in the light, no longer victims of the darkness.
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April 28, 2024