If you made an unfulfilled promise, how long would it be before you forgot it altogether? A month? A year? But God made a promise to Eve and repeated it through the ages to Abraham, Job, Moses, David, the Prophets and to John the Baptist. Now, in the fulness of time, He announces to Mary its impending fulfilment in the birth of Christ. It was an announcement that would change the world. 

If you made an unfulfilled promise, how long would it be before you forgot it altogether? A month? A year? But God made a promise to Eve and repeated it through the ages to Abraham, Job, Moses, David, the Prophets and to John the Baptist. Now, in the fulness of time, He announces to Mary its impending fulfilment in the birth of Christ. It was an announcement that would change the world. 

This episode is not the next in-depth exposition in the Book of Esther (that will come later) but a survey of the chapters (one to six) we have expounded over recent months.  A Christian family visiting our church from overseas turned out to know nothing about the Book of Esther, so instead of expounding the next section as I had planned, I gave an impromptu and unprepared review of the six chapters we have already covered. Some who have followed the series also found the review helpful.

This episode is not the next in-depth exposition in the Book of Esther (that will come later) but a survey of the chapters (one to six) we have expounded over recent months.  A Christian family visiting our church from overseas turned out to know nothing about the Book of Esther, so instead of expounding the next section as I had planned, I gave an impromptu and unprepared review of the six chapters we have already covered. Some who have followed the series also found the review helpful.

In Rev..2:1–7 Christ commends the church in Ephesus for their abundant works and faithful testimony in such a way that we might consider Ephesus to be a perfect church. Yet at the same time he threatens to remove its lampstand (close it down). What's the problem? Their works were indeed outstanding but their motivation for doing those works had ceased to be love for Christ. We turn to 1 Cor. 13 to see that even the most amazing acts of self sacrifice and service are worthless in the eyes of God unless they are motivated by love for Christ. We are challenged to test our motives and, if they are found wanting, to repent, and "do the first works"—works motivated solely by a love for Christ poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

In Rev..2:1–7 Christ commends the church in Ephesus for their abundant works and faithful testimony in such a way that we might consider Ephesus to be a perfect church. Yet at the same time he threatens to remove its lampstand (close it down). What's the problem? Their works were indeed outstanding but their motivation for doing those works had ceased to be love for Christ. We turn to 1 Cor. 13 to see that even the most amazing acts of self sacrifice and service are worthless in the eyes of God unless they are motivated by love for Christ. We are challenged to test our motives and, if they are found wanting, to repent, and "do the first works"—works motivated solely by a love for Christ poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

Revelation 1:9–20 explores the nature and character of local churches, then and now, but does so from two different perspectives, earthly and heavenly.The earthly perspective sees the churches enduring persecution, imperfection and internal conflict, all of which the Apostle John experienced first-hand. But the heavenly perspective shows us the local church and its leaders symbolised respectively by a priceless golden lampstand and golden stars in Christ's right hand. The message emphasizes the church’s responsibility to shine-out the gospel, rely on Christ’s sustaining grace, and honour its leaders. 

Revelation 1:9–20 explores the nature and character of local churches, then and now, but does so from two different perspectives, earthly and heavenly.The earthly perspective sees the churches enduring persecution, imperfection and internal conflict, all of which the Apostle John experienced first-hand. But the heavenly perspective shows us the local church and its leaders symbolised respectively by a priceless golden lampstand and golden stars in Christ's right hand. The message emphasizes the church’s responsibility to shine-out the gospel, rely on Christ’s sustaining grace, and honour its leaders. 

Revelation 1:4–8 highlights three descriptions of the Person of Christ — the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth — and connects these with the works of Christ — he reveals the unseen Father, he saves by his death and resurrection all who trust in him, and makes believers spiritual kings and priests. The episode closes by looking ahead to Christ’s return and the affirmation that God, as the Alpha and Omega, is sovereign over all things.

Revelation 1:4–8 highlights three descriptions of the Person of Christ — the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth — and connects these with the works of Christ — he reveals the unseen Father, he saves by his death and resurrection all who trust in him, and makes believers spiritual kings and priests. The episode closes by looking ahead to Christ’s return and the affirmation that God, as the Alpha and Omega, is sovereign over all things.