Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him… (Revelation 1:7). Behold… Jesus is coming, and every eye will see him. Jesus is described in Revelation 1:5-6 in terms of the great Redemption that he has accomplished for every believer—he loves us, he has saved us from our sins, and he has made us into a kingdom whose one common ground is Jesus. Yet the emphasis is not on us, but on the fact that such a beautiful redemption means all glory and power belong to him!
Revelation
What Is the Book of Revelation About?
The book of Revelation is perhaps the most controversial book in the Bible among Christians. Even sincere, Bible-believing Christians seem to come up with more widely varying interpretations of this book than of any other passage or prophecy. The variety and severity of these disagreements can be intimidating or discouraging to the simple reader, who may feel that there is no one Truth to be found within its mysterious pages. But it is vitally important to remember that God did not inspire the writing of Revelation to bring confusion, but hope and joy to his suffering church.
You Are Neither Cold Nor Hot
Dr. Paul Brand dedicated much of his life to investigating the disease of leprosy in India. Anyone could see that lepers lost parts of their extremities—like fingers, or a foot—but no one knew exactly how leprosy caused this decay in the body. Dr. Brand discovered that leprosy does not actually directly cause this damage. Leprosy prevents the affected part of the body from feeling pain, and so a broken ankle, or injured hand, goes untreated. It is in this indirect way that leprosy causes many other difficulties. Similarly, sin deadens us to the danger we are in.
Turning Promises Into Prayers
“Surely I am coming soon.” “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” – Revelation 22:20 When the ascended Christ promises the apostle John that the Second Coming is imminent, John replies by turning the promise of God into a personal prayer to God. “Lord, you promise that your return is certain and soon-coming; yes, Lord, please do what you have said.” Is this how we respond to the clear prophecies and sure promises of God in his Word?