Revelation 17 So, who wins? It is a question we all want answered, and usually before the game/battle/war/conflict has begun; who will win? Some will back the underdog; most want to be on the winner's side, especially when the outcome is going to be personally affecting you. Revelation 17, like most of Revelation, is difficult to understand. An angel tries to give Jo...

Revelation 12 Today we get a glimpse of the grand drama of heaven, a drama in which we have more than a bit part. There is a great conflict between God and our adversary, here personified in a dragon with seven heads and ten horns. How are we to understand this imagery? Are we to relate it to things on earth to try to connect the dots? Yes and no. We should understand a...

Revelation 8 When was the last time you were so excited you couldn't breathe or so overwhelmed with anticipation you couldn't move? This is what the opening of chapter 8 in the book of Revelation looks like. The Lamb (Jesus) breaks the seventh seal on the scroll and immediately there is silence in Heaven. For me this is really hard to wrap my head around because I envis...

Revelation 7 Revelation 7 starts with an uneasy peace as an angel appears with the seventh seal, which is about to be opened and read in chapter 8. The first 6 seals were opened and read by the Lamb in chapter 6, and there was a great deal of noise and activity taking place as the 4 living creatures called out the 4 horse riders. The angel calls on the 4 riders to hold...

Revelation of John 4 "What does it all mean?" For much of what is in Rev. 4, I don't have answers. It seems like John is stretching language to its very limits trying to convey something we have no context for understanding. But even if we fail to fully grasp what he is trying to describe for us, one thing comes across with crystal clarity: God, on His throne, is awe-...

Revelation 2 The letters to the four churches recorded in Revelation 2 have all the characteristics of Jesus woven through them. First, we see the fact that they are known. He says, "I know" - your deeds, your labor, your perseverance. He knows where you dwell, your trials, your poverty, the opposition you face. He knows your steadfastness, your love, your faith and you...

2 Peter 1 Peter is awaiting his departure from this world as he writes this letter. Martyrdom is close, as the Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to him (v14). Peters love for those that have "received a faith as precious as ours" shines through in his desire remind us for all time of the truths that we must follow. Peter is very practical, and gives us a map to follow in...

1 Thessalonians 4 When I read I Thessalonians 4, the word Hope springs to mind. The hope that we can have a different life - not one controlled by baser things, but one that is characterized by holiness and honor. I know I can't live that life myself - I am nothing without the cross of Christ that frees me from the penalty for the junk in my life and also frees me from ...

1 Thessalonians 3 I grew up attending church and youth group. Every Summer as part of our training for our mission trip to Mexico we would have to write our testimonies. Each person would have to write and share their story of how they first encountered Christ and understood the Gospel. After a few years of participating in this activity, it became very obvious that as...

1 Thessalonians 2 is filled with Paul vocalizing his love for the Thessalonian believers. He sacrificed, risked, and worked hard for them to know the gospel and he has come to love them like a parent loves a child. He loved the Thessalonians enough to exhort them when they needed to be called out of sin. Proverbs 27:6 tells us, "faithful are the wounds of a friend; prof...