Through the Bible for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples

John sees that our prayers rise up with incense to the altar in the throne room of God. The Day of the Lord has happened many times in history and at different times for different nations. The Day of the Lord at the end of all time will be even more intense than any other previous Day of the Lord. In his vision John sees 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls. Some see this as all predictive of something to come in the future. Some see them as happening throughout human history in part since they are interwoven. The 7th seal reveals the 7 trumpets and the 7th trumpet reveals the 7 bowls. This time of tribulation or testing reminds us of the plagues in the story of the Exodus. Sadly, even as evil grows and suffering increases, many still have a hard heart towards God much like the Pharaoh did. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

Those who have faith in Jesus can withstand the Day of the Lord. John hears of 144,000 from the tribes of Israel who are following Jesus, but then he sees people from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation represented worshiping Jesus. Some say the number 144,000 is literal and records Jews from each tribe who become believers in Jesus Christ. Some like Thomas R. Schreiner believe that “the 144,000 symbolically represent all Christians throughout history, both Jews and Gentiles. They are God’s army who wage war by being faithful to the Lamb and enduring persecution.who wage war by being faithful to the Lamb and enduring persecution…. We have the number twelve representing the people of God from the twelve tribes in the OT, and the number is squared and then multiplied by 1,000. Hence the number should be understood as a symbolic way of designating the entire people of God.” According to Sam Storms: “the numbering (144,000) is being used to evoke images of the Old Testament census, which was designed to determine the military strength of the nation… which is why they are adult males, i.e., those eligible for military service… The point is that these in Revelation 7 constitute a Messianic army called upon, like Jesus himself, to conquer the enemy through sacrificial death.” #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

The Lamb of God opens the seal. The four horsemen of the apocalypse who are called Death, Conquest, Famine, and War begin to run rampant. Some think this is a prediction of what is to come. Some think this already happened at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Some think this has been happening between Jesus’ first coming and will intensify all the way until the second coming of Jesus. In certain parts of the world, they are facing tremendous persecution right now! Some struggle to trust God in the midst of a world filled with so much suffering. God will eradicate evil one day by allowing evil to devour itself. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Tribulation #Evil #EndOfEvil #Jesus

John sees a scroll and weeps as he realizes that no one is worthy to open this scroll. It appears that no one could fulfill God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Then he sees a Lion! Shockingly, then the Lion turns into a Lamb with 7 horns, 7 eyes, and 7 spirits which represents the fact that this Lamb has full authority, can see all things, and has the Holy Spirit. The Lamb is worthy because he gave his life for the sins of humanity! People from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation will one day worship the Lamb of God! John was seeing in the supernatural realm what happened in the real world when Jesus died on the cross. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

John’s vision includes the throne room of God which includes incredibly unique creatures who constantly sing out “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” It is hard for us to fathom the greatness of God! There are others who had similar visions of God like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. ‭ #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

Some of those who are part of the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea were making wise choices. Some were not. In fact, Jesus refers to some as being “lukewarm” - neither hot nor cold. We can transcend the temptations of the world around us. Jesus rebukes and disciplines those He loves. He stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to connect with Him relationally. He does not kick the door down! The decision is up to us. We can enjoy a relationship with Him by saying “yes” to Jesus’ invitation. This not just a one time “yes” but a daily “yes” to live life with Him. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

Jesus shared his message to the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. Some were giving in to false teachers and sexual immorality. Some had lost their first love. Some were enduring tremendous persecution. John used a unique description of Jesus at the beginning of every message to each of the churches. Every church is being afffirmed and/or rebuked by Jesus. Each church has to consider: “how faithfully are we living in Babylon?” In other words, “how much of Babylon is living in us?” We can start afresh in our own temptations and struggles when we repent - turn back to God for help to overcome. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

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.” #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

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. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Revelation #EndTimes #JusticeOfGod #Apocalypse #BiblicalProphecy #SecondComing #Persecution #Dissident #Resistance #Babylon #Witness #Jesus

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. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Jude