Grace and peace from God
This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave him this revelation in order to show to his servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to his servant John by sending his angel to him, and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. (verses 1, 2)
Read Revelations 1: 1-8
The book of Revelation is not easy to understand. It was written at a time when Christians were suffering great persecutions, and it was meant to bring comfort and strength to them.
God cares about his suffering church, and he has a huge defence armoury to help those who are persecuted. God has revealed in the Bible those things we need to know and which can be our support in every situation.
Central to this defence armoury is the knowledge that God is in control of history and that the final victory is his. There are evil powers in this world that can wreak havoc and cause God’s people immense suffering, but they cannot win. The final battle over sin, death and Satan has already been fought and won by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The results can’t be reversed. But before the final victory can be revealed, history with all its pain, wars and hardships, must run its course. By faith, believers in Jesus Christ hang in there until the end, assured of the final outcome.
There are lots of problems in the world today. News reports from our own country and from various parts of the world can make you depressed and unhappy. Some of these problems may be affecting you personally. But the almighty God, the Lord of history, is there for you. Through your connection with Jesus, and his connection with you, you are embraced in God’s plan, and you are assured of a happy outcome. Hang in there. God is with you.
Thank you, God, for the promise of your presence and for the help you give me each day. Amen.
by Kevin Schmidt, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)
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