The first vision of Revelation centers on Jesus in his role as the High Priest who oversees the congregations of Asia. The vision begins in Chapter 1 and continues to the end of Chapter 3. It consists of the image of the Risen Christ walking among “Seven Golden Lampstands,” and the seven messages that he sends to the seven “Messengers” of the Asian congregations.
Continue reading “Priestly Son of Man”
The church of Smyrna is only one of two of the seven Asian churches that received no correction, the other being Philadelphia. What set this congregation apart was the level of persecution that it endured because of its “testimony,” and its steadfast refusal to “eat meat offered to idols” and otherwise compromise with the Greco-Roman culture. Its members stood firm in their refusal to participate in the imperial idolatry of Rome, and consequently, they suffered “tribulation” and persecution due to false accusations against them made by Satan’s agents.
Continue reading “Faithful Until Death”
Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility, tribulation, and persecution. The Book of Revelation is not a tool of divination for deciphering future mysteries and events. Instead, it is a summons for God’s people to become vigilant, live righteously, and persevere in testimony during persecution and other trials. Its concern is not when certain events will occur, but how the Assembly of God must “overcome” and thus arrive at the city of “New Jerusalem.”
Continue reading “Call to Action”
The Book of Revelation’s first paragraph declares its purpose is to show God’s servants “what things must come to pass,” and it specifies the timing of those “things,” namely, “soon” and the “season is near.” The “things” referred to are detailed in John’s visions, including information about Satan’s war against Jesus and his “saints” that is waged through his earthly agents, the “Beast,” the “False Prophet,” and “Babylon.”
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The first paragraph of the Book of Revelation presents its purpose, key themes, main characters, how it communicates, and its chronological perspective. The Book’s purpose is to reveal. Its protagonists are God, Jesus, and the “his servants.”It is “THE prophecy,” and its source is God. The contents concern “What things must come to pass,” and this last clause provides the timeframe of these events, namely, “soon”.
Continue reading “A Revelation of Jesus Christ”
Insights into Bible Prophecy 