FBC Daily Devotions

EVEN SO, AMEN

Read Revelation 1:5-7.

Jesus Christ – He is the main character in the revelation. It is about His love, His wrath, His kingdom, and His power. Amidst all the activity and apparent chaos seen in this revelation, we must not lose sight of Jesus Christ.  In our passage today, He is described as:

• the faithful witness (i.e. the one who has knowledge, particularly of this revelation)
• the first-born from the dead (i.e. the first to be resurrected with an immortal body, and the preeminent One deserving of the throne of heaven.)
• the ruler of the kings of the earth (i.e. speaking of Christ’s realized rule in the future)

If that wasn’t enough, John adds:

• He is the One who loves us.
• He has released us from our sins.
• He has made us to be a kingdom (note, not of buildings, but of people).
• He has made us to be priests (with the ability to enter God’s presence and worship Him).

Dwell on those things for a little while. It’s all about Jesus, is it not? It’s about who He is and what He has done for us. How can one not say as the apostle says, “To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”?

And so, though the words we will hear shortly will speak of God’s wrath and judgment, we must not miss this prologue – that Christ is good, faithful, and loving. We can say, “Amen” because His love and mercy are ever before us. And when in v. 7 the apostle says that when Jesus returns with the clouds, and those who pierced Him and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, we can still say, “Even so, Amen.” Why? Because God has “rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.” (Col. 1:13) We don’t praise God because of the destiny of His enemies, but because we could have been there ourselves. Let that thought give you a thankful heart as you go about your day.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF…

Read Revelation 1:4-5a.

After stating the source and nature of the revelation in vv. 1-3, John now addresses the prophecy to seven specific churches in Asia (to be identified later). Note that John addresses THE seven churches in Asia. What is unusual is that there were more than seven churches in Asia at the time of John’s writing. Why only mention these seven as if they were the only ones in Asia? And why these specific churches? I am afraid sometimes the questions outnumber the answers!

Some see the revelation’s use of the number seven as denoting fullness or completeness. In other words, though these were seven actual churches in John’s time, the revelation may be referring to the Church as a whole with the various problems of each church described in chapters 2-3 relating to the different problems that the Church presently and would continue to experience throughout its history. My personal feeling is that the revelations to the churches apply both to the actual churches in John’s day and to the Church as a whole. As we will see in later weeks, their messages are easily transferable to us today.

Using the same reasoning, we see further on that John gives the salutation in the name of God (who was, is, and is to come), the seven spirits, and Jesus Christ. Many commentators see in this the Trinity consisting of the God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ. That would make the “seven spirits” the Holy Spirit. How does one make that leap? Well, if seven is understood to denote fullness or completeness, then the seven spirits would denote the fullness of the Spirit. (Some have pointed to the seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 11:2, but for some reason I only count six listed there.) If this Trinitarian view holds true, this would be the only letter of the New Testament with such a powerful source, making this revelation all the more significant.

All this said, if we are interpreting the number seven correctly, what is about to follow in this prophecy will be applicable and important to us today, perhaps as never before in history. It’s got me wanting to read ahead! If you feel the same way, why not go ahead and read the rest of the chapter? Be warned, though, the symbolism is going to increase.

*****

As we begin to dig deeper into the revelation, make it a point to pray before reading, asking that God would help you understand His word and make it applicable to you. We cannot go through these Scriptures purely academically. We need His Spirit to open our hearts as well.

AN URGENT PROPHECY

The writer, John, states that the revelation he received was to take place “shortly” (NAS) or “soon” (NIV) in v. 1. In v. 3 he states that “the time is near” for the words to take place. Clearly, there is a strong sense of urgency in this revelation. Something tremendous was going to take place soon. Jesus’ final words at the end of this book are, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” (22:20) And now, millenia later, it appears we continue to stand at the door of this prophecy (that is, if you believe this to be a prophecy of the future – a view that I ascribe to). Is this prophecy a hoax? Was it made up by a man disillusioned at the end of his life?  

These are legitimate questions. To answer this, one must go back to the original language. The word translated “shortly” or “soon” is the Greek word en tachei, and can mean “with speed, swiftness, or quickness.” The expression, “must take place shortly” might be translated “what will take place quickly“. In other words, what is described will occur suddenly and swiftly. On the other hand, the Greek word could be translated more along the lines of ‘in a short time“, as is the preference of the NIV and NAS translations. And certainly what is spoken to John can be said to have begun shortly after the revelation was given to him. Indeed, the events and churches described in chapters 2 and 3 were current in John’s day. As one commentator has noted, “[The events] began to happen then; they are continuing to happen as God described them.” (Zodhiates) Certainly both alternatives are fitting, and neither suggests that the prophecy should have already come and gone by now. In fact, in v. 19, Jesus tells John to “write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.” Clearly, the events described in the revelation will occur over a course of time which need not be limited to a few years. Yes, Jesus is coming quickly, and indeed, He will come in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:22). If there is any sense of urgency, it is because we do not know exactly when He is going to return. It gives cause to pause on the parable of Matthew 25 – that we should be ready at a moment’s notice.

This week we will begin to work our way through the treacherous book of Revelation. Full of symbolism related to the last days and the new world to come, it is often set aside because it so difficult to understand. That notwithstanding, John (the writer of Revelation) says:

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it, for the time is near.” (Rev. 1:3)

Reading, studying, and meditating on the words of prophecy will require a little more mind work. But it will be a blessing to us all if we will take the time – one day at time – to let the words penetrate our hearts.  That will be our challenge as we look more deeply into this mysterious book.

Get ready for a journey. Get ready for a renewed hope for our future.

As I was reading through the different accounts of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, I focused on what He specifically said to the disciples. I thought these might be some of the lasting impressions He might have wanted to leave with the disciples. Some of the things He said included:

• Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.
• Receive the Holy Spirit.
• If you forgive anyone his sin, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. (John 20:21-23, above quotes) – This is related to the proclamation of the gospel in that “those who proclaim the gospel are in effect forgiving or not forgiving sins, depending on whether the hearers accept or reject Jesus Christ” (NIV Study BIble).
• Feed my lambs.
• Take care of my sheep.
• Feed my sheep. (John 21:16-17, to Peter, incl. two previous statements)
• This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:46-48)
• All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
• And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:18-20, also preceding statement)
• For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5)
• But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

As I read through Jesus’ words, they can be lumped into several categories.

1. Spread the gospel – make disciples. 
2. Take care of your people.
3. Receive the Holy Spirit. (This one relating more to the day of Pentecost and the first receipt of the Holy Spirit.)
4. I am with you always.

In a nutshell, the commission the disciples received was to proclaim the gospel, and as people were enfolded into the church, they were to care for them. They were not to worry about trying to accomplish the work because God would give them the Holy Spirit for strength and power, and God would always be with them no matter how hard things might get. There were two imperatives given: share and care. The other two were en-“courage”-ments: that the Holy Spirit would work through them and that Jesus would always be present with them (which in a sense are the same things).

While the commission was given to the disciples, the commission still exists today. It is encouraging to know that as we carry out the commission, God still works through weak vessels indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and that God is still present with us to oversee and sovereignly appoint His work through our faith. If you’ve ever felt as though caring for God’s people might be too difficult, or if sharing the gospel might be too challenging for you, just remember who’s really doing the work.