We’re in the part of the book now that people generally think of when they hear “Revelation,” when destruction and mayhem seem to be aimed from God toward the earth. There is indeed fire, and certainly there is destruction. This isn’t in chaos or rage, however, because remember: we know Jesus, and his plans are for our good. In this moment, though, his holiness is taking center stage. He is purifying the earth to make way for the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan, and that plan cannot include sin.

Not only is Jesus running the show in this crazy book, but he has not forgotten his people. Israel is there, front and center, but so is the "vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe." What are they present to do? Worship. This is why worship in the here and now is so important: it's not just a thing we do as earth-dwellers, but something we will be doing for all eternity. Standing before God, it's really our only logical response.

Why would the Prince of Peace give someone the authority to take peace from the earth? Isn’t that exactly what he came to bring? Well, yes. But the Peace Christ will bring is a new Heaven and a new earth, and we’re not to that part yet. Before that happens, things are going to get pretty crazy in this book. Remember though, we know this guy. The same Jesus who touched lepers is the Jesus who restrains all of these things, and he has a plan. Don’t give up yet!

As the events of Revelation start to unfold, we should be very encouraged by one enduring truth: it is about Jesus, and we are well-acquainted with who he is. Amid the action that will follow in this book, it can become very easy to forget that. Remember, though, that it was the humility and love that Jesus showed that put him in his place of power, and he did not become someone else when he ascended to the right hand of the Father. He is still that person, and that person is the one who rules throughout Revelation.

Imagine what it must be like to have the worship of God as your main task. Of course, we are supposed to be learning that very skill before we come before God's presence, and it's a skill that takes a lifetime without ever fully becoming complete. But the creatures in this picture are committed to the task. Surely it's not boring... can anything be more fascinating than God?

The two churches in today’s letters couldn’t be more different. Philadelphia is surrounded by enemies but perseveres, while Laodicea is thriving by lukewarm. Still, both are included. Laodicea is given a warning, but they’re not cut off. Not yet, anyway. Philadelphia is faithful to their calling, even under perilous times. Do you wonder if the trials they face might have made them more faithful? It’s a tough pill to swallow, but sometimes our struggles do bring us closer to God.

Some symbolism is starting to become part of John’s narrative, especially when he describes false prophets. We’re still in the specific letters to churches, and this is certain: just being part of a church isn’t enough. Being a follower of Jesus means hearing the Spirit and obeying what God asks. It doesn’t mean going out on your own, creating a false way that isn’t the way of Jesus. There are harsh words for those who do such things.

Revelation is a book for the whole church, but there were specific churches receiving it in John’s time. Here with the messages to Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum, we can see that the message of Revelation isn’t intended to fly right over the heads of the early believers. It was meant to both challenge and encourage them, something they certainly needed. They lordship of Christ was always their foundation, but they all had to remain diligent to being the body of Christ in the here and now.

Revelation is probably the most debated book in the entire Bible. Some have tried to make it all literal, as if the wild visions will come true in full embodiment. Others have tried to reduce to entirely to symbolism. There is a lot of both, and then there is a mix of letters written directly to its audience of several churches in Asia. Whatever follows, this introduction has a couple very important points: God is the beginning and the end, and Jesus is King. Also, Jesus has not changed his nature. The humble servant we see in the gospels is the same Jesus that will appear throughout this book, so take heart, have peace: he is still your Savior, and he still loves you.

Paul really seems to be using his past problems with the Jewish leadership to gain an audience in Rome. Do you get the sense that he sort of tosses out that he had been opposed to gain their ear? Whether or not that was his intention it, worked. Some believed, and this was Paul's central mission.