 Read: Revelation 7:9-10
In the book of Revelation 7:9, Apostle John says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”  Read: Revelation 1:9-20; 21:1-4
Where is Jesus when we need him? This was a very real question for the suffering church. One of them had been executed, their leader had been exile, many had been persecuted for their faith, and all knew they could be next. The answer given to this in Revelation is one of the most wonderful, comforting, yet perhaps most overlooked in Scripture. It is overlooked by us because it is placed among so many other important ideas in the introduction of the letter, and because we are often more interested in rushing past it to get to the apocalyptic material that follows.  Read: 1 Peter 2:9–10 & Revelation 1:1–8
A dragon, a beast, a cosmic war with plagues and famines – not to mention the end of the earth as we know it. No, it’s not the latest apocalyptic fantasy thriller! The book of Revelation has all the elements of a great drama – but what does it all mean?  Suppose over half the people you meet were interested in investigating religion, believed it was important for their well-being and were open to discussing it as long as they were treated with respect – would that make a difference to your approach to speaking about your faith?
 Read: 1 Corinthians 1.1-9
I once attended a seminar with Leonard Sweet who began by greeting us, good morning saints. And after a pause, good morning sinners. Which do you most easily identify with: Saint or Sinner? |