Through the Bible for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples

Prior to the birth of Jesus, many of the faithful Jews assumed the Messiah would come to defeat the Roman Empire and establish a political kingdom. Instead Jesus announced a spiritual Kingdom and conquered sin and death through His death on the cross. Even now many assume Jesus will return to defeat those opposed to God. Surprisingly He appears with blood already on Him, and the sword He has is coming out of His mouth. In Revelation for Everyone, N.T. Wright explains: “Once more, this is symbolic language, truly pointing to a reality which lies beyond it… The victory here is a victory over all pagan power, which means a victory over violence itself. The symbolism is appropriate because.. the Messiah will judge the nations with the sword of his mouth (Isaiah 11) and he will tread the winepress of the wrath of God (Isaiah 63). As John's readers know well by now, the actual weapons which Jesus uses to win the battle are his own blood, his loving self-sacrifice.” All who aligned with evil, the beasts, and the dragon are thrown into the lake of fire. Jesus and those who follow Him celebrate the Great Wedding Banquet. God has made all things right! #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

We discover a lament for the destroyed city of Babylon. The 7 churches of Asia have an invitation to avoid the destruction coming to Babylon because of all of its evil, violence, and corruption. Babylon will reap what it has sown. We do not have to let Babylon live in us even if we live in Babylon. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

John shares more details about some of the images he’s already described. He describes Babylon as a prostitute who has committed abominations with the kings of the earth. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures idolatry is referred to as adultery. The city of Babylon was filled with corruption and evil. Those who are faithful are seen as the unblemished Bride of Christ because of the forgiveness offered through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The 7 hills most likely refers to Rome, a city built on 7 hills. The ten kings could refer to 10 specific emperors who reigned over the Roman Empire or it could refer to the totality of evil kings in history. These beast with 10 horns turns on Babylon and destroys it. Eventually, evil will destroy itself. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

John gives a more detailed description of what happens when the bowls are poured out. Much like the plagues that happened in Egypt in order to free the enslaved Israelites, these plagues are designed to free humanity and the world from evil. Even as things get more and more intense, we need to remember that the book of Revelation was a letter to churches who were being reminded of their options - going the way of Jesus even if it means being persecuted and even killed for their faith or going the way of the dragon and the beasts which means experiencing the destruction waiting for evil. This letter encourages us to trust that God will one day make all things right. We can trust Him on the timing, being ready and awake knowing He could come at any moment. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

The 7 bowls are released. Some think these judgments are sequential. Some think they have been happening simultaneously ever since Jesus ascended into heaven and will continue and intensify until his Second Coming. Others think this is another angle describing what we saw in the previous chapter. These plagues will continue until the end of all things. Some will turn to God seeing Him as good and true and just as He eradicates evil and extends grace to all. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

An elite force of faithful witnesses to Jesus are with the Lamb of God when the harvesting begins. This harvesting idea is reminiscent of when Jesus said: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2). We discover that there are many who are redeemed by Jesus from the evils of this broken world and healed from the evil within their own heart. We also see the wrath of God being poured out. The wrath of God is not God’s vengeance but actually the evils of humanity that has been stored up. The evil stored up and released will be what actually destroys evil. In other parts of the Scriptures we see God’s love and God’s justice meet on the cross where Jesus drank from the cup of God’s wrath. Again, this is not God’s anger being poured out but humanity’s evil. The evil of humanity is what killed Jesus on the cross, but on the 3rd day, Jesus defeated sin and death by rising from the dead and then ascending to reign from heaven. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

John sees two beasts. These beasts remind us of the beasts we see in the book of Daniel. The first beast has the power of war. The second beast has the power of economic security. A nation becomes like a beast when it demands allegiance from its people. When people idolize power and money, they are marked on the forehead and the wrist with the mark of the beast. The Hebrew Scriptures mention having the Shema on the forehead and on the wrist. The Shema states: “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And as for you, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Some Jewish folks took this literally and wore phylacteries on their forehead and on their wrist with the Shema written on it. Ultimately, God wants faithful followers to memorize the Shema (“written on your forehead”) and live out the Shema (“on your hands”). Those who have allegiance to God are committed to Him and His ways regardless of the persecution they may face while living in Babylon. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

Seeing into the spiritual realm, John sees the source of all evil - the dragon. The pregnant woman being attacked by the dragon gives birth to a child who reigns over all the nations. Some think the woman is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Some think the woman could represent Israel as Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. Some think the woman was Eve as God tells the serpent (the dragon) in Genesis 3 that “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This snake crusher was Jesus who was killed by evil by dying on the cross, but the serpent would actually eventually lose because of Jesus’ sacrificial death. Evil fights against those who follow Jesus. Our faithfulness in following Jesus’ commands and in telling others about Jesus changing our lives even in the midst of persecution helps win the battle in the spiritual realm. We have a part to play by not giving into evil in our minds, in our hearts, and in our actions and instead trusting the way of Jesus. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

John sees Two Witnesses which he also refers to as lampstands which is how he referred to the 7 churches of Asia earlier. These Two Witnesses represent the faithful witness of the Church in spite of the persecution and the evil transpiring all around them. Many will die for their faith, but the Church will prevail. The plagues did not turn the nations to God, but the faithful witness of the persecuted church does turn hearts towards God. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

John sees a huge angel with a small scroll in his hand. John eats the small scroll which tastes sweet like honey, but it becomes bitter in his stomach. We also discover 7 thunders which will not be revealed to us. John is to proclaim what is true to the nations. His message is about a loving and just God who will one day make all things right and who made a way for us through His Son Jesus. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus