Throne of God’s Awesome Glory and Power

Revelation 4:1-5 

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

John was done dictating the Lord’s letters to the churches, and was summoned to the throne of God in heaven with the trumpeting voice of an angel.  He was called to see what was to come in the future after the present times and seasons and after the churches heeded what they were told, both good and bad.  John found himself invited and was instantly there in the spirit; whether that was a vision or spiritual visit, we can only speculate, but in his spirit he was there to witness and to record these revelations for those of us who are the church throughout the remainder of time.  He saw the Lord on His throne, high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1), and described what his human eyes perceived; this is only how he could describe the glory, not the totality and reality of His awesome majesty.  The description of gemstones and rainbow of living colors in Him and around the throne come short of the true glory of the Lord, yet give us a glimpse of what John was brought to see and tell us of.  Around the throne were the twice twelve elders in their lesser thrones ruling with Him (2 Timothy 2:12), possibly representing the twelve apostles and twelve tribes of Israel as His chosen people.  This reminds us the overcomers (1 John 5:5, Revelation 3:21, 12:11) will rule with Him.  The heavenly atmosphere was filled with God’s power displayed in lighting and thunder with voices speaking things too marvelous to be told here.  The seven Spirits of God burned before this seat of all power and authority, the angels of God and of the churches (Revelation 1:20).  This should fill us with awe and wonder, as well as hope in our Lord’s absolute sovereignty over all things throughout time from beginning to end.  This book is about our absolute hope in Jesus Christ! 

Laodicea: Repentance from Useless Lukewarmness

Revelation 3:14-22 

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,  ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

The Lord who truly is as He says and says because He is addresses the seventh church and all like it through time.  He is the beginning of all creation (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-16), because He is the word who spoke it all into existence.  He is faithful to do all the Father has planned, and bears witness to the work through His life, death, and resurrection.  This one tells them that He knows what they do and the motives behind every thought and deed, because He made them and knows them completely.  The warning then is to be committed to Him; He would rather they be cold to Him in indifference than playing interest and doing little.  He would of course rather they were on fire for Him and the gospel, which is far better, but would vomit them out of His upset stomach if they continue to be uncommitted to Him.  They thought they did not need God because they had much in the material sense, but are told how little they have without Him as their greatest possession.  The Lord makes it clear that they are truly miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked - devoid of any health or wealth - without having Him as their primary love for a true abundant life.  They are counseled to receive all they lack immediately from their Creator and Master; they are to repent and be healed, receiving what they need for life and godliness.  They need only come to open the door through repentance to dine once more with their Lord who called them, and then will overcome the world’s allure to reign in the Kingdom with Him forever.  We would do well to hear and heed this as well; the gospel is about Jesus Christ and His righteousness, not our good life now of fame, health, and wealth.  We are not to seek the material over the eternal (Matthew 6:31-33), but find our all in Him, being hot for God and cold to our own desires of personal gain or glory, and certainly not ambivalent to Him and His Kingdom. 

Philadelphia: Eternal Door of the True Shepherd

Revelation 3:7-13 

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,  “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.  13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Holy and True God now speaks to the church in the city of brotherly love.  The Lord has the messianic key of deliverance from sin to salvation, and nobody can take those He calls from His hand (John 10:28-29, Isaiah 43:13).  When He opens the door to the sheepfold as the one Shepherd, we go in and out without fear of it being closed by anyone (John 10:9).  Jesus Christ knows us and He knows our hearts in all we do or don’t do, so we also hear these encouraging words to keep following in loving obedience with what little strength we have.  Yes, we too do not deny His name but stand for the truth of this one who is the only Way, Truth, and Life against the false teachers and lies of imposters.  Here there were false Jews who said they were of God but actually served the temporary ruler of this world in their refusal of the truth.  Many more cults and liars abound today, masquerading with Jesus’s name, but these do not serve or know Him either.  We know Him and walk in the truth, knowing His love for us.  He keeps us as we trust Him when severe trials and adversity test the world, holding to His word and promises to persevere to the end.  Nobody will take our reward of His good pleasure if we continue to follow faithfully.  We overcome by His blood and our testimony of His work (Revelation 12:11), and our faithfulness will support His temple as pillars of truth with new names - His, His holy New Jerusalem, and our own given by Him (Revelation 2:17).  If we listen and heed what He tells us through this letter to Philadelphia and the letters to the other churches, we are assured of His calling and mighty hand which keeps us for eternity to strengthen us to keep His word and testimony.  We have entered through the eternal door of the true Shepherd and are confidently kept by His mighty hand. 

Sardis: Strengthen What Remains and Faithfully Follow

Revelation 3:1-6 

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who sovereignly rules over the seven churches with grace and peace, He now speaks to the believers of the church at Sardis.  The Lord tells John to write this letter as a revealing of His knowledge of their boasting.  He sees what they do does not match their pomp, pointing out their claim to life in Him while living otherwise.  They are dead, but speak to convince others outwardly that they are not.  They are not hopeless, however.  He urges them to watch what they are doing and to then begin by strengthening the few things they still have right, not to give up because of failure but to begin with repentance and actions befitting children of God.  The warning makes it clear that the few things remaining are about to die as well, so the call to repentance is urgent to do what is right in His sight.  We are like them as well, needing to know we fall short and needing to hold fast to sound teaching and righteousness in Christ as we follow in obedience.  Repentance is as essential as continually building lives on sound doctrine.  If we fail to do these basic commands, we are in similar danger as that of Sardis, being surprised and ashamed at His return in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:12) instead of glorifying God.  There are always some who continue to walk straight and true as there were in Sardis, and they will continue to walk in honor by righteousness with Him.  We who are truly in Christ as these have our names written in the Book of Life and are so admitted as His to the Father in the presence and witness of the faithful angels also serving our great God and Savior.  These are things only being able to be heard by His called ones.  All these letters to the real and representative churches are for our hearing and heeding; they are not just for some other churches in the past.  He knows us and calls us to faithfully follow the Son of God and Man.

Thyatira: Walk Circumspectly and Wisely to Overcome

Revelation 2:18-29 

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The third church addressed by the Son of God, Jesus Christ, hears of His burning holiness and perfect purity from head to toe.  The Lord begins with what they do well before addressing the issues of wrath and judgement.  He commends their love in serving others, their patient endurance as they exercise their God-given faith, and their increasing amount of good works they do.  But there are still areas that cause His eyes to burn with judgement; their tolerance of a false prophet who leads the members into sexual sin by her lies, the one refusing to acknowledge God’s word and character this all goes against.  If they worship the Lord, how can they allow false teaching that promotes blatant sin (as has become common the past few years in our own time now)?  There are consequences for sin, especially when there is no confession and repentance, and we are each held accountable for what we do, teach, or allow.  Sin earns its wages as death, true in both the physical as well as spiritual.  What are they (and we) to do?  Remember first of all that God searches and knows our minds; we can hide nothing, and so we don’t dodge accountability.  Hold fast to sound teaching (doctrine) and overcome the lies and sin being falsely taught as acceptable to God.  Look forward to the final judgement when all is set right and we reign with our Lord who is the light of the new Jerusalem forever.  Hear what He says to the churches who are us, and walk circumspectly in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21). 

Pergamos: Compromising Truth or Seeking Repentance?

Revelation 2:12-17 

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,  ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The lord speaks to this kind of church with the sharp two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16), which is the word of God Himself.  This beginning of the letter to the church at Pergamos shows God’s word is not being followed, and is about to reveal how their thoughts and actions are not acceptable to God as it is written.  God knows their spiritual state, but begins first by commending them on the things they do well, not leaving the rebuke undone, however.  He praises them for holding fast to their confession of Christ even to dying for His name among the devil’s playground of the world around them.  But He then points out His wrath on allowing false teaching and practices of ungodly sacrifices to idols and sexual immorality.  It is not only the sin of doing these things, but of holding to the teachings and allowing perverse and blasphemous ideas to continue.  This is analogous to the current problems in some of today’s church circles where the immortality of homosexuality to the point of so-called ‘gay marriages’ and ‘gender identity’ have been allowed into church doctrine and allowed practices.  The message is simple, repent.  Turn from what God calls sin to follow Him according to His word.  If we are listening to God, we hear these things and act on them as His children.  He gives us of Himself to eat and identifies us as His in Christ! 

Smyrna: Faithful in Persecution

Revelation 2:8-11 

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,  ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

The church next to receive a letter from the Lord who is the sovereign ruler with all authority and power through death and resurrection, who brings grace and peace, is Smyrna.  Again, though this was a real church when this prophecy was given, it applies to all throughout time who in like or similar manner suffer persecution and remain faithful to Christ.  These worked hard in the gospel and did not have much due to the intense, pressing persecution for His name’s sake.  They stood up against false teachers, holding the line of truth not to be crossed that others would not be dragged over it into error.  The Lord strengthened them with authoritative resolve to ‘fear not,’ as He would be with them through the suffering.  Notice He did not tell them to claim deliverance from the suffering, but to trust Him while walking through it; this is a valuable lesson many refuse to learn in our present time, teaching empty lies of a problem free life once saved from sin and wrath.  These were told instead that they would be imprisoned and their faith tested, much as Paul often endured for the gospel’s sake to fill up what he was lacking (Colossians 1:24) in the afflictions of Christ.  We suffer with Him because He suffered, just as we are crucified daily as we take up the cross.  We have not been called to a pleasant and quiet life, free from suffering, until we join Him in the kingdom.  Yes, this present suffering (Romans 8:18) leads to an invaluable crown of eternal life!  In the end we do wisely to heed these final words, to hear what Christ says to the churches and to suffer to overcome in Him forevermore.  The second death has no power over those crucified with Christ.  

Ephesus: Lost their First Love

Revelation 2:1-7 

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

The Lord over the seven churches with authority and power dictated this letter through John to them and to all future churches like them.  He begins by reminding them who He is and of His right to console as well as charge with error.  The good things they do are brought out first so as not to make their situation seem hopeless; remember that He began with grace and peace to all seven of these churches, and is still speaking that to the Ephesian church.  They are commended for doing what is right, laboring in Christ for the gospel and not tolerating evil nor growing weary in all they endured.  They are patient for God’s work as they labor and toil with all they have and are driven with by His enabling and wisdom.  Here they did not tolerate false teachers impersonating true church leaders, but sought out their lies to expose them (Ephesians 5:11).  But their problem was that they left their first love, Jesus Christ Himself.  It is one thing to do right out of obedience, but quite another to obey with heartfelt love in the doing of what is right.  They were called to repent, to change their thinking to drive their actions; they needed to turn from the sinful lack of love in worship to the One they worshipped and served.  We must never lose sight of the love we first felt which drove us to follow Christ when we first believed!  A church may be uprooted if the members lose this love, no matter what other good things we do as, the Ephesians did such as with the false Nicolaitan teachers.  We not only love and hate what God does, but must love Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) through it all.  The prize we run towards (Philippians 3:14) of our calling ends at the tree of life, eternally in God’s presence.  Love of and for God in our reasonable service and worship is tantamount (Romans 12:1-2). 

Assurance in His Sovereign Presence

Revelation 1:17-20 

17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

John had the reaction we would all have; in the Sovereign presence of the Lord, he fell to the ground.  Being in the presence of the infinite power and holiness of God, we could not stand as if we were worthy either, but would likewise bow face down and not move in fearful awe of Him.  But the Lord comforted and assured John with the words describing who He is.  He is the first and Last, which probably refers to the beginning Word (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16) who spoke all into existence, and the final judge and redeemer of all.  He was dead and lives forever, reminding us of the resurrection.  He has the keys of death and hell, meaning Jesus has power over death to resurrect us and throw those not His into hell forever (Luke 12:5).  Not only were these reassuring words, they were given to the church throughout time by commanding John to write them down for us.  He was to write what he saw and heard, both the events and reality of the way the world and churches were at that time, as well as what would unfold over time as God revealed through certain events and situations under His control as planned from eternity.  Jesus then explained that the seven stars are the seven churches named in Revelation 1:11 already.  He also revealed that the seven lampstands were also symbolic of the same churches.  Chapter two will then begin His messages written to each of these churches for what they do well or where they must beware, that grace and peace offered in the beginning of this letter may continue to be theirs (Revelation 1:4). 

Hearing God’s Revelation to the Churches

Revelation 1:12-16

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

The One speaking to John was the Son of Man, Jesus Christ Himself!  The seven lampstands of gold symbolize the churches addressed in the previous verse, and Jesus stands in the middle of them as He gets ready to speak to them soon.  This is important to understand the grace and peace that have been told to them in verse four in light of strong words to come, and that the messages to them are personally given by the Lord through John as he writes the words down to later be sent and read to them.  Christ is described in words John seeks to find to capture the awe and wonder of the divine before him; though wonderful, the comparisons cannot not do justice to what he really saw.  He had a long robe of sorts with a golden belt, a head and hair whiter than Moses after being face to face with God in the tabernacle, and had burning eyes like powerful flames of the altar.  His feet looked like shining brass fresh out of the refinery, perhaps to show the purity and holiness of the one standing there.  When He spoke, it was as if all languages were as one, sounding like a waterfall or bubbling brook or raging river of power; we can only imagine how that sounded and what John tried to describe as he saw and heard Him.  He held seven stars in the right hand of power, the angels of the corresponding churches being addressed.  They are under His rule and authority to address with the words to follow soon.  The sword that cuts both ways is His word of power for judgement and revealing of the hearts and minds (Hebrews 4:12).  His overall appearance was as if looking straight into the sun, powerfully bright and strong, comforting and able to consume with fire.  John saw, heard, and wrote.

Our Brother and Messenger in Christ

Revelation 1:9-11 

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

John was first of all a fellow brother believer in Christ.  Then he was one who shared in the pressing troubles and adversity that accompanies following Christ toward His kingdom.  All who live godly in Christ Jesus will certainly suffer such persecution in some form.  He also shared with them and us the patience of the saints to endure while waiting for His return through all these pressing times.  Once John shared what we share together, he told how the revelation of Jesus came to Him from God, beginning with being imprisoned on Patmos as a result of preaching the word of God in his testimony of Jesus Christ.  The gospel brought him to that place to suffer for the kingdom’s sake.  As he was worshipping God on that Sunday, he heard the divine voice from behind him which was loud and heralding as a trumpet.  There was no still small voice as with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:12, but a ruling voice of the Omnipotent One addressing John personally and directly.  He is the beginning and end of all things, the first and the last for our salvation.  Jesus Christ the divine was in the beginning speaking the universe into existence, and will be at the end of time when eternity begins for us in the place He already rules from forever to forever.  He was the firstborn from the dead who resurrected Himself as the first fruit with us to follow in Him.  He is the last Adam and final judge of the world by God’s wrath and grace.  This one addressed John and commanded him to write what he would see to read to the churches present then and to all those till the end. 

Letters of Great Joy and Sorrow

Revelation 1:4-8 

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:  Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.  To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The letters to the seven churches were real places, but also represent churches in similar states throughout time to come.  Though there are both words of praise and words of strong rebuke, all the churches are first given a prayer and desire for grace and peace from the I AM and the entourage of angelic beings worshipping and serving at His throne.  This grace and peace is from Jesus Christ, who is described as the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler with authority over all those on earth.  He was faithful to preach the Kingdom and to give His life for ours as the gospel for us.  He was the first to resurrect Himself to prove that we will rise in Christ at the end in like manner with a new nature.  He rules over all authority because it is all His (Matthew 28:18).  He loved His chosen people to the point of sacrificing Himself to die in shedding His blood that we might not shed ours in dying for our sin as we deserve to.  Furthermore, Jesus makes us rule and minister as His royal servants, children of the Most High King!  We will rule with Him to whom we give all the glory in His rule.Therefore we eagerly wait for His coming (Romans 8:25, Philippians 3:20).  He will come as He left, in the clouds, and this time the entirety of creation will see the return, unlike only His disciples when He ascended before (Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9).  The world will see who they killed, the Lord of glory, and be greatly saddened by their rejection of Him and His salvation.  We who are His rejoice greatly and hasten His return, He who is the beginning and the end, who was here and will return, who always existed and always will.  He is the I AM, Emmanuel, and these letters of the Revelation give hope as well as judgement, woe and warning as well as joy and an eternal future, face to face before our Lord forever! 

Be Aware and Beware with Hope

Revelation 1:1-3 

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Jesus Christ revealed what was to be unveiling before our eyes to His servant John.  This book does not give all the details of the events and working of God, but does show us the things which matter most and what we are to be aware and beware of.  We will see warnings and encouragement, blessing and cursing, the awesome works and nature of our Lord, His creation and purpose, and the hope we who are His have forever in His presence when the final judgement is executed and righteousness reigns in His presence forevermore.  This is a book of hope that begins with what He wants to show His servants, “things which must shortly take place.”  A special messenger was sent to John the faithful apostle with these visions and explanations of things which are and which are to follow, though not always chronologically.  He gave his witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the gospel, and to God’s word where these things of God and His eternal plans are held and revealed.  John witnessed what God showed him to read these words to His church from that time until the final consummation of His work on the earth and in us.  We truly are blessed to read and take heed to these words of our Lord as we understand the events unveiling before us and the assurance of hope in Christ’s work and the glory to come in His presence with worship forever.  We must listen and follow Him to learn from the judgement and warnings, for time will not go on forever.  Time is in His hands, and we are given enough to know for sober living to make the most of the time we have.  

Safe and Secure in His Everlasting Arms

Jude 1:24-25 

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Our Lord and Savior reigns over all things, and is more than able to keep His people whom He calls out of the darkness of sin and judgement into His marvelous light of peaceful righteousness and reconciliation in Christ.  Therefore He can keep us from stumbling when faced with the deception of false teachers and the allure of the passing pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25).  Because we are held within Christ’s righteousness by His blood sacrifice of Himself, we are seen as faultless standing before His throne.  We will stand with our sins washed white (Isaiah 1:18, 43:25, Psalm 51:7) in His presence and experience the unbounded joy of our full redemption and incorruptible new nature in eternity.  This is why we praise and glorify our great God and Savior by expressing our awe and wonder of His nature in our songs, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).  He is the only one with wisdom, the only one worthy of glory in His sovereign majesty, the good and absolute ruler of the universe with the power to create and hold all things together (Colossians 1:17) by His Word and will, now and for eternity.  He is the one who is, and nothing can ever undo what He does (Isaiah 43:13).  These things are so and will always be so (Amen), so we rest in His grace that keeps us safe and eternally secure in Christ.  Amen and amen! 

Building Faith Straight and True

Jude 1:20-23 

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

What are we exhorted to do with Jude’s pleading and concern?  We are to to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-13, Acts 20:32), becoming what we are called to in Him.  This is a matter of both personal accountability for growth as well as corporate, as we see in Ephesians 4 and other places in scripture.  This is not done in our own effort apart from God’s working, for we are called to pray in His Spirit to build upon His working in us as Philippians 2:12-13 reminds us.  This is how we keep ourselves in the love of God, doing what pleases Him by holding to and teaching the truth about the one we trust in according to His word.  This very word points us to the faith we build on by the mercy of His great grace, encouraged by the certainty of eternal life together with Him forevermore.  We will stand in His presence at last (Job 19:25-27) because of His mercy to call us to Himself, so how can we live anymore for sin and not for Him in truth, spirit, and love?  Therefore we show compassion to each other who need encouragement to salvation or for sanctification; this does not mean we indiscriminately pray and show compassion for those set against our God and His Christ, but do what we can to rescue the perishing and pulling wayward believers back to following Christ in holiness and in truth.  Keeping false teachers out of the congregation is the first step to guarding the flock (Acts 20:28-31).  Warning and pleading with them to avoid the sin that they teach is the next step.  We need to know and teach His word, cutting it straight and true. This means we need to build our faith together straight and true on sound teaching while keeping the wolves at bay.

Mocking Lawlessness of Self-seeking False Teachers

Jude 1:16-19 

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

The false teachers show antinomian (lawless) beliefs which are opposed to sound doctrine and holiness.  They have no eternal fruit to God, but only to their own destruction and judgement.  Here they show their character in constant complaining and murmuring against God and His righteousness, not to mention against all those teaching truth and living accordingly.  Though they speak as great orators, they are only flattering to dissuade others from hearing the truth, doing all they can to deceive and mislead as they are misled.  Jude reminds us to remember what Jesus told us and which the apostles and eyewitness writers of the New Testament wrote down for us.  He warned us about those who would mock God and His word, the Christ (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Peter 2:1, 3:3).  We must spend time in the scriptures to be constantly reminded of these dangers from within (Acts 20:29-31), and be aware of these signs of those not walking in righteousness as followers of Jesus Christ.  Those living for sin and claiming Him are not to be followed or trusted; these serving their own desires end up causing divisions in the congregation over disobedience versus obedience to Christ with non-biblical arguments. These do not have the Spirit of God, and this is why they cannot understand (1 Corinthians 2:12-14, Romans 8:9) nor teach the truth, but fight to undermine it.  We are not to judge these, for God through His word already has done that, but can only be wise to watch and pray, while we offer them the gospel and be wary.  This also means we do not allow the false teaching in our midst. 

Hidden Reefs in Spiritual Shoals

Jude 1:12-15 

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

These false teachers and disruptive ones participate in fellowship gatherings, though not from the heart nor in truth, but for deception.  They serve themselves and not others or even each other.  The spots are literally shallow reefs which are hidden beneath the water’s surface unseen until a ship hits them and is damaged or sunk.  These likewise lie hidden in our midst as their doctrine and philosophy await the unsuspecting to sail over them.  We need to navigate with God’s word as our charts to avoid such shallow shoals of misdirection and avoid spiritual shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19).  These also are compared to useless clouds which blow about but never water anyone for spiritual growth.  They are also trees that do not bear good fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) which are only good to be yanked out of the earth with their rotted roots so that they do not grow back in others.  Bad company corrupts good habits, as it is written.  More comparisons show the futility of raging waves that make much noise but only cause destruction, quite unusable for navigating through life in Christ, and the example of stars lost in the heavens seemingly alluding to angels falling to earth like meteors as their master (Luke 10:18).  They have an eternal and dark destiny.  The stories of Enoch back up the scriptures on the judgement that awaits these ungodly ones as a warning to us to preserve the gospel message unadulterated and to communicate to these reverent fear for their blasphemy against our holy God and Lord Jesus Christ.  He will come for the final judgement (Revelation 19:13-14). 

Beware Dreamers and Defilers

Jude 1:8-11

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Those who live lawlessly and have slithered comfortably into the congregation, teaching and living sin, these are further described.  They are dreamers, telling tales and spinning false webs offered as hope, while refusing to follow authorities, especially those of the church.  Because they reject church authority, they continue to mislead others as they slander and malign those setting laws, rules, and discipline.  The example of the angel not taking on God’s authority in dealing with the devil shows us how these rebellious ones by contrast argue with God as they speak badly about those they really know nothing about; they just want control and the preeminence like Diotrephes in 3 John 1:9.  They should be honoring Christ instead who has all the true preeminence (Colossians 1:18), but choose instead use fleshly logic of desire and dominance like “brute beasts,” as it is written here.  They corrupt themselves further in so thinking and acting apart from God’s Spirit as the believers have around them and which they lack so obviously.  They hate and murder as Cain slew Abel in the beginning after the Fall, and prophesy falsely for gain as Balaam (2 Peter 2:15) did long ago.  These will also perish eternally for their rebellion against God in misleading His people and dishonoring Him.  False teachers must therefore be confronted and put out of the congregation, or their bad example, counsel, and words will lead some astray and disrupt others.  Truth according to scripture and lives given to the direction of conformity to Christ must be present in all of us, but especially in those teaching others (2 Peter 2:1-4, James 3:1). We are to be valiant for the truth in wisdom to know the serpent’s tactics while as harmless doves dealing with error in love. 

Remember What We are Saved From

Jude 1:5-7

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

The reminder of things we know is often needed when we lose sight of certain truths, whether through avoiding by choice or a simple lack of focus.  We can choose not to look difficult doctrine in the eyes and gaze elsewhere, or we can face the hard facts of eternal destiny.  God saved Israel out of the bondage to sin as represented by four hundred years in Egypt, and He brought judgement down on those who refused to believe.  The angels who fell from God’s good grace by rebellion with Satan are also waiting for the sentence of eternal judgement to be executed on them at the last day.  They have reservations to be jailed in chains in eternal darkness then.  Even those perverse and ungodly immoral ones from Sodom and Gomorrah are examples for us of unrepentant sin and its eternal consequences of condemnation in judgement.  There is eternal fire in a lake that burns forever with God’s just and deserved wrath on sin and sinners, and we all would be there without the mercy and grace of God in Christ.  His love and purpose have rescued us and reconciled each one He has called to Himself by grace, and we need to be reminded of these hard sayings to appreciate the love and kindness poured out on we who are His people.  This is the gospel, deliverance from due judgement and its horrible consequences.  We are given a new life and eternal hope, so thankful obedience and sin’s avoidance should rule our thoughts and conduct now.  What we have been saved from is as important to remember as what we are saved for.

Fight the Good Fight

Jude 1:3-4

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude wrote in earnest about salvation which is shared by all in Christ, but then found it crucial to also mention those false teachers within and without.  His readers were to listen as we are to be aware of the one faith of the gospel and to be wary of those not living accordingly.  They and we are to fight, to earnestly struggle for, this truth against those who live in unrighteousness, teaching and living contrary to the whole counsel of scripture.  Many crawl in quietly as serpents in the grass, wrapping around the feet of the unwary to slowly squeeze the life from them by turning God’s word out of the way in order to defend living sinfully.  These were set forth beforehand for condemnation, and their slithering tactics and lies catch many off guard with, “has God indeed said?”  We need to know God’s word, sound doctrine, and follow Christ by His Spirit who lives in us to confirm the truth of our faith.  The ungodly chosen for destruction live in defiance of His word by hatred, homosexuality, sexual lust, selflessness and covetousness, and many other lewd excuses against our holy God and Lord Jesus Christ.  They live and teach against clear commands, principles, and examples throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, rationalizing away true faith as they deny Him.  We listen to Jude’s warning and fight for the faith (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7) as given in scripture by God, not moving from His truth nor living contrary to how we are called.  This means stopping false teaching to protect the flock. 

Called, Sanctified, and Preserved

Jude 1:1-2 

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude begins by identifying himself as a willing servant, a slave of Christ, and the brother of James.  These were the brothers of Jesus in the flesh (Matthew 13:55), half brothers in the sense that they had different fathers - Jesus had God as His Father.  He identifies as a servant and not a relative, for he is like we all are, adopted into God’s family by grace and His calling.  Jude writes to fellow believers who have been called by God, the elect, and who have also been set apart as His to be seen as holy in our position in Christ by His righteousness alone.  We are not only seen as holy in Christ, but are preserved in both ongoing sanctification as we are conformed to the image of Christ, as well as kept as His and quite unable to lose that standing by our sin or His wrath as we are daily sanctified.  Our sin has been paid for once and forevermore, and He promises never to let us out of His hand of mercy and grace.  These things only fully make sense in light of His choosing us and not we choosing Him apart from that calling.  We therefore have the things given as a greeting here: mercy, peace, and love.  They are great and increase more all the time in Christ because of our calling out of our sin and God’s wrath to forgiveness and grace.  His love is expressed in such infinite mercy which gives us peace with God in Christ (Romans 5:1). 

Face to Face and Heart to Heart

3 John 1:13-14 

13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.  Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

John ends this letter much like the apostle Paul, glad to have been able to share what is on God’s heart as well as his own, yet with a deeper desire to meet in person.  This face to face longing of human fellowship is a reflection of the desire to meet with God face to face as Moses did (Exodus 33:11, 1 Corinthians 13:12).  It is also that relationship with the flock that shepherds long for and which fellow sheep bleat for.  We may write to each other, and that leaves a lasting reference to look back on, but the moments of care shared in each other’s presence often leaves a greater impression on the heart and mind.  For scripture, however, God’s lives in us as Spirit, and we speak spiritually face to face as well.  Each of us in Christ longs to stand before Him one day that never ends, yet the letters left to us come alive off the page into our hearts and minds by the mind of Christ in us (1 Corinthians 2:16).  He has written His word in our hearts and minds, and we are more than just content with that until we see Him face to face with knees to ground.  His peace is with us as John reminds the reader here.  Let us so greet each other by name, personally and as fellow heirs of this wonderful life in Christ.  This is His love we know and share both face to face and heart to heart.  Amen! 

Glory Hogs or Imitators of Good?

3 John 1:9-12 

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

Diotrephes was a proud man who wanted the attention and glory all brought to him and continually laid at his feet as if in worship.  By yearning continuously for the best seat instead of waiting for God through the leaders to choose if and when to invite him higher, his pride became a detriment to fellowship and to the ministry of others (Luke 14:10-11).  He even refused to welcome and honor those placed over him by God such as the apostle John and those serving alongside him.  This glory hog was a detriment to God’s work in opposition to His word and will.  He went so far as to slander God’s workers and incite hate and demand rejection against them by others in the church!  Even today there are those not walking in humility who are enemies within, whose pride is like the roaring lions in the sanctuary as Paul warned the Ephesian elders of (Acts 20:29-30). Their aim aligns with the enemy to destroy, hinder, and not serve God, His work, or His flock.  Shepherds must be aware to then teach and exhort to not do as these do, but to imitate those imitating Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1) as we are called to do.  Those imitating the good are God’s, not those who do such evil, for they have not really seen God’s face nor understood His character or word to us.  Then we observe the contrasting example of Demetrius, whose life was a testimony of Christ in goodness and truth.  John and the others talked well of this one who was following Christ as a good example for us to imitate, one whose life rang true to the sound of Jesus’s name.  If we follow such examples in sincere and godly ways with humility and honor and love, then we do well to testify truly of God’s grace in us.  We become kingdom builders of love and truth.

Faithful Giving and Receiving

3 John 1:5-8 

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Faithfulness is demonstrated in giving of ourselves to both our fellow believers and to strangers who do not know our Savior as we do.  It does not mean we only look out for our own, nor do we minister solely to those outside.  This witness is seen of our love in Christ by all, as a testimony to God’s transformational grace at work in us.  We as a body then send out His workers we serve to serve others, in ways which please God.  We receive them in love, meet their needs, and equip them to in turn serve others as they go out.  This is both for missionaries and other gospel workers for His kingdom.  If fellow believers go in His name without taking support from unbelievers, then there is no accusation of mercenary missions, but of faithful giving of love in bringing the good news of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.  We do well to give of ourselves as we go forth with this in mind as well.  Therefore we receive our fellow servants doing the same to work together in synergy with each other and with Christ as His fellow workers for our common work.  This faithful giving and receiving is how we are called to work better together for the gospel’s sake.  Let us be faithful in willing obedience. 

True Love

3 John 1:1-4 

1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

John as pleader and an elder in the church addresses a dear friend.  He opens by expressing true brotherly love in Christ to Gaius, letting him know that he loves him not in word only, but in heart and in deed (1 John 3:18).  John prays for growth and fruitfulness, as well as good health.  These are to be reflections of his spiritual health, and not a call to health and wealth, growing in Christ.  Joy comes from hearing the testimony from others of the heart of the disciples, hearing that they walk in sound doctrine by seeing what is within come out in the daily walk of sincerity and verity.  This is why John let’s him know that this is the greatest joy he can have in knowing that Gaius and other converts are disciples walking out their sanctification as true followers of Jesus Christ.  We can learn from this to do likewise, finding immense joy as others are rooted in Christ by sound teaching and sincere living of what we are taught.  Making disciples includes baptizing them into the body, but also teaching them all Jesus teaches us in the scriptures.  This is the true love of disciples and disciple makers. 

Watering Hole of Discipleship

2 John 1:12-13 

12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

John realized that writing letters is good and necessary, but that the face to face sharing is of the most value (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).  We can write articles and books to help others spiritually, but can never lose sight of the importance of spending time with others to teach them all things (Matthew 28:20) and to sharpen each other as all parts of the body work together.  We are the church under Christ as the authoritative head, but work best together in action using the scriptures as our manual, yet talking together about how we follow God’s instructions for life and godliness over just marveling in its composition.  Our joy is made full in helping others in personal discipleship, which is the teaching by life and words as Jesus gave us example (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1).  The apostles modeled this, especially Paul, and here John lives it out in this short letter with the face time to follow in earnest expectation.  This example is one for us to follow in discipling and being discipled.  We then can also write and give greetings when we are apart as the elect of God, His children together with anticipation of meeting together in the sweet fellowship which is the watering hole of discipleship.  Let us drink deep at that well.

Confessing Christ as Completely God and Man

2 John 1:7-11 

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

What do we confess to identify as believers and followers of Jesus Christ?  Who is He and what has He done?  Sound doctrine says that the only foundation is Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).  Christ is is God and man at the same time, the divine Word humbled Himself to be as us without losing who He always is (John 1:1-14, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:5-11).  If we deny His divinity or His humanity, we are opposed to Him (1 John 4:2-3).  This is what false teachers, deceivers, do because it is the spirit of antichrist (opposed to Christ).  We who are His are not deceived by the lies that Jesus was just a good man or that He was God but only appeared to be a man.  If He was not a man, He could not suffer in our place and die to redeem us; if He was not God, He would have no power to raise Himself from the grave and resurrect us at the last day.  Therefore, anyone who identifies as Christ’s but does not remain in this key and true doctrine does not have Him.  They are not His.  The ones knowing Him for who He is has the Father in knowing the Son in this manner (John 8:19, 14:7).  When someone comes to teach us otherwise, we are not to welcome them in a false sense of tolerance or correctness, but clearly remain apart to avoid sharing in the evil teaching by identifying with them.  This clearly goes against many who think befriending false teachers or cultists who claim Christ but deny who He is is a good thing, but scripture is given as a warning to us here which we need to consider. 

Loving in Word and in Deed

2 John 1:4-6 

4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Not everyone follows Christ who knows or at least claims to know Him.  When we find those who are living disciples who have been told the gospel, have been transformed by God’s working through it, and who have been taught all things Jesus spoke through the apostles (Matthew 28:19-20) and follow what they heard, then we find real followers.  This should not only be in what we see to be right, but should give us great rejoicing because it is right to God!  Of course if we are taught all these things from scripture, part of those things is to love others practically and with sacrificial action and not just a cold evangelistic effort.  Though helping others alone is not the gospel, it is part of the resulting life we should be living as called (1 John 3:17-18), with truth reflected in action.  To say we only love and help others for them to come to Christ through “friendship” evangelism is like telling our spouse we love them, and then never saying anything more.  We are called to love in both word (speaking the gospel) and deed to meet the need.  If we only speak the gospel truths and do not help others, it rings hollow even if God can still use that message to convert them.  Romans 10:14-17 tells us that saving faith comes from hearing God’s word which someone must speak out loud; we are called to love then in both words to faith and practical love to meet needs as a whole package.  Our personal living of love is not only to others, but also to God as seen here.  We must obey God’s word in following Him after regeneration to show our love for Him in response to all He has done and continues to do for us.  John reminds us that is the commandment we have heard from the beginning (1 John 2:7, 24).  Let us walk in it.  Let us live as called to call others out as someone called to us in deed and in truth.  

Grace, Mercy, and Peace to You

2 John 1:1-3 

1 The Elder,
To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

John was a πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros), a church leader and an apostle, but he was also an older and respected man who was writing this letter.  He begins by mentioning who he is and from what spiritual authority and experience he is coming from.  He writes to a prominent woman who has been called and chosen by God in Christ, one of His elect.  Some say the woman is representative of a local church as well, but it appears she was an actual person.  He also is writing to her children, whether spiritual as in a congregation, or literal children of her own.  Either way, John begins with his love and concern for them especially because they also know the truth of the gospel of grace which he preaches and lives for.  This truth, he reminds them, lives in them forever.  It is not a truth which is only a fact to hear and forget, but is a transformational reality from God’s living Word and scriptures who has given them life that never fades away like ordinary facts do.  He sums up the greeting by reminding them God the Father will continue to give His grace, mercy, and peace to them through Jesus Christ. The grace reminds us that we have this gospel truth as a completely undeserved and unearned gift by God’s good pleasure.  The mercy reminds us that we deserve judgement and the resulting punishment by His wrath on our sin, which has been paid for.  Peace is ours because Christ has become our peace with the Father by His imputed righteousness for eternal justification.  He offers this assurance with truth and love, love because he cares for their spiritual state, and truth because that is where hope comes from, all Christ has done for God’s Chosen ones.  The letter applies to all God’s elect in Christ whom He calls out, and is therefore for us as well.  

Knowing The True God and Eternal Life

1 John 5:18-21 

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

The summation of the letter of 1 John is here.  If we are reborn in Christ by His work and sealed as His forever by His Holy Spirit, then we do not continue to live in sin.  We do not live as we used to, but put sin to death each day as we grow into the image of Christ who transforms until we are with Him.  Those who are given a second birth by God walk circumspectly and are kept from the devil by God’s grace and care.  Those who have no change in the way they live have no eternal change of Christ in them and often actively war against sound teaching as they in turn seek to lead others away from Christ and the truth of His gospel.  Our assurance in Christ allows us to see the sin filled world and its influence, yet our eyes are opened to know the Son who has given us sight from our sinful blindness with His understanding.  We understand God’s Word who came as a man and is still Divine, the word of truth who we live and move and have our being in, the Son of God.  Yes, we are assured of lasting forgiveness and standing in irrevocable salvation because of God’s word and work in us. We know that we are now forever in Christ and have eternal life now and beyond our death.  This gospel of grace in which we stand is the true God and eternal life, so we live to keep ourselves from worshiping any other idolatrous thing or idea outside of Him and this gospel truth.  Amen! 

Confident Prayer

1 John 5:14-17 

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

Our confidence is not only in an absolute guarantee of eternal life as written in the previous verses, which is our salvation from God’s wrath on our sin and its power over us.  We also can confidently pray with petitions that align with His will, knowing that He will certainly answer those according to His plans and in His way and time.  This does not mean that we just name a request and He must answer it; no, we are to pray for things according to His will which we do not always interpret correctly from scripture (especially when it may be an isolated verse out of context).  Do we ask for our own gain, or for God’s glory?  If it is for God’s honor and glory as He wills, we are confident He hears and will certainly answer on His schedule and in His manner.  This is because He put the desire in our heart to pray for those things of His will to begin with (Psalm 37:4, Psalm 10:17) which align with His word.  If we ask only for what we want to have or to have happen without seeking if it is according to what God wills, we have no such guarantee of an answer.  The example here is of praying for a sinning brother.  If the sin does not have severe consequences deserving of death, we can pray for life by merciful grace for that person.  The giving of life by God mentioned here is mercy from deserved judgement, while the sin leading to death is likely one with unstoppable consequences such as murder.  We are not to pray for release from such consequences of sin, but for forgiveness and healing restoration from unrighteousness that does not have that kind of price which must be paid.  This is a hard saying which is difficult to understand for all situations, so the guidance of scripture and counsel of the Spirit and godly men may be required before praying hastily or only what we want in a situation.