Revelation (Bible in 90 Days)

We have finally reached the end of this long journey through the Bible as we reach the last book -- Revelation.

This is the most controversial, loved, hated, misunderstood and recognizable books in the Bible. One reason is that it is written like no other book of the Bible, especially since it is written about the future. The future is a mystery to us all, but not to God. And He gives John just a glimpse of what is to come. And then he shares it with us.

Before I begin discussing what Revelation is about, let's talk about what it is. The apostle John wrote Revelation in approximately 95 AD, while being imprisoned in exile on Patmos, a remote island off the coast of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea.

The purpose of Revelation was to reveal the full identity of Christ. He was born a man, lived a sinless life and was wrongly accused and disgracefully crucified. However, in doing this -- He saved us all. Jesus was born a human, but He was the Son of God and He had the authority from Heaven to defeat the enemy forever. Revelation is the finalization of that victory.

Many people fear Revelation. Or they are confused or intimidated by the language and images. And some of it is fantastical; however, it just proves that we will never understand the majesty of heaven while still living on earth.

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Revelation does give a harsh warning. If you are reading Revelation and do not know Christ, or ally with Satan, then you should be afraid. Those who do not side with the victorious Christ will know God's wrath and be judged as harshly as Satan himself.

To those who know Christ and are covered by God's great love and mercy, Revelation is a book of hope. We win! We will be victorious, just as Christ is. The enemy will be slain and sin will be erased forever. Well, that's good news, right? It is through Jesus that this is possible, it is through Him we will find victory, which explains why following Him is so important. He is leading us to victory.

Revelation has a large content volume that includes many metaphors, symbols, difficult to understand images and a vivid image of the end of the world. I could take an entire year to break down all that is in Revelation -- maybe some day I will put together an in-depth series on Revelation. Personally, it is one of my favorite books. But for now, I will try to convey the overarching message of the book.

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John begins Revelation by explaining how he received this revelation from God.

Revelation 1:1-2 -- "This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."

He then records specific messages to seven churches located in Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each of these churches are doing things right and things wrong. Even though the message is directed at a specific church in John's day, they are also messages to us today, teaching us what is right and wrong in our churches and Christian life. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, so His message to the Church will also be the same.

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One message Jesus wanted to give to everyone is who His is, unveiled, the Son of God, the Almighty one.

Revelation 1:8 -- "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One."

Next, John launches into a series of images and scenes that portray heaven and then a rise of evil that culminates into a vision of the anti-Christ. Throughout all of these scenes, Jesus is proving His authority as the King of Kings and pouring out judgment over all the evil in the world.

Revelations 16:15 -- "Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed."

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After Jesus' victorious triumph, John describes the wedding of the lamb, the final judgment and the coming of New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:1-2 -- "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."

Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ's return.

Revelation 22:12-13 -- "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

And finally comes John's prayer that has been echoed by Christians throughout the centuries.

Revelation 22:20-21 -- "He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people."

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God has a wondrous plan and we are all part of it. No matter what happens in this world, there is hope. Jesus is coming again to rescue His people and settle accounts for anyone who defies Him. Humbly remove sin, ask forgiveness and live in righteous faith. Know that you serve a God who is in control. Christ's victory is assured and all who trust Him will be save. Be full of hope.

  

Jude (Bible in 90 Days)

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Jude was the brother of Jesus and James. He writes this letter to Jewish Christians to remind the church of the importance to keep strong in faith and to oppose false teachings. This was during a time of great opposition for Christians because many had begun to twist God's words and deceive those who were committed to follow God's Son Jesus Christ.

Jude's message was simple - opposition will come and false teachers will rise up, but Christians should "defend the faith."

Jude 1:3 -- "Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people."

Jude then goes on to give practical ways to accomplish this mission. First, is to reject all falsehood and immorality:

Jude 1:18-19 -- "They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them."

Second, is to build up your own faith through prayer:

Jude 1:20 -- "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit."

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He also speaks of keeping Christ close, helping others and hating sin. But most importantly, to praise God, the I Am, and give Him all the glory, for even in persecution there is hope and there is life.

Jude 1:24-25 -- "Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen."

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This letter was written in 65 AD, but it has encouragement that we still need to hear today. There are still false teaching and ones who twist God's words in the world we know today. Standing firm against opposition and keeping your faith strong is a choice. You choose to learn the truth through God's word or to reject it. You choose to spend time in prayer to know your Creator personally or you turn your back on His grace and mercy. When you know God, you will know who stands against God, no matter how big their church smile is.

It is a choice to determine that God's truth is more valuable than anything else. What do you choose?

  

1, 2, & 3 John (Bible in 90 Days)

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John was the last remaining apostle to survive persecution from the Jews and the Roman government. Though he didn't escape persecution, he lived to be an old man who began to encourage the next generation of believers in their faith and confidence in God.

In the years following the life, death and Resurrection of Christ, many argued over the identity of this mysterious man named Jesus. Even many Christians began to doubt the divinity of Christ, putting into question God's love and grace. John wrote these letters to present a clear picture of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to assure believers in their faith.

1 John 5:13 -- "I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life."

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John described God as light, love and life. He presented simply and practically what it meant to have a fellowship with God.

1 John 1:7 -- "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."

By knowing and walking in His love, we have the ability to confidently walk through our life knowing that God gives us eternal life with Him. We can come to know peace and joy even in this fallen world and share that love with others.

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Truth and love are great ideals, but are seldom practiced in our power hungry world. Christ, however, embodied both truth and love. By associating ourselves with Jesus Christ and calling ourselves Christian we are to uphold ourselves to God's standards, making truth and love a vital part of Christian life.

2 John 1:6 -- "Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning."

How we treat others reflects our true values. We have to evaluate ourselves and determine whether we will live and love as Christ did or conform to the selfishness of the world.

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3 John 1:11 -- "Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."

Jesus Christ lived a life of truth and love and sacrificed himself to save us. He is the light of the world and provides us life. It is our choice what to do with our life, but God wants us to live for Him. Not conforming to the world is hard, but God gives us rewards for our faith and a life full of purpose and love. John knew that love, since he spent his whole life in God's presence. He wants us to know that is not only possible to walk with and fellowship intimately with Christ, but that it is worth it.

  

1 & 2 Peter (Bible in 90 Days)

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Peter wrote to those who were suffering. He had been beaten, jailed and persecuted for his faith, but he knew Christ and his confidence would not be shaken.

In this time the first century church was being persecuted by both the Jews and the Roman government. Peter offered comfort and hope to a scattered and suffering church urging them to keep their faith in Christ.

1 Peter 1:7 -- "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

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Peter explains that it is through trials that we refine our faith. He encourages the people to live holy lives, trying to become more like Christ who died for them and rose again. He outlines the right attitude for troubled times, that it is inevitable but that God delivers.

1 Peter 4:12-13 -- "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."

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Second Peter was written three years after his first letter. These are his final recorded words to the church before his death and they are a warning. It is not a warning of the external persecutions, but of the attacks from within the church itself. These take the form, most often, as complacency and hearsay. He encourages each individual to know the facts of faith in Christ, to allow yourself to continue growing and maturing in that faith, and to reject all who would distort that truth.

2 Peter 2:1 -- "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves."

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Even as Christians of present day, it is like Peter is speaking directly to us. We still have false prophets and teachers who claim to speak truth and fight for attention. But the  way to overcome them is to know Jesus Christ personally and actively read God's Word. By continuing to learn and grow in faith, you can confidently reject any teaching inconsistent with God's Word.

2 Peter 1:3-4 -- "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."

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Walk confidently in God's love and share with the world what it means to truly know Christ.

  

James (Bible in 90 Days)

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We live in a world with a lot of talk and not a whole lot of action. James confronts the church head on about the difference between knowing the right way to go and actually walking it. The book of James is easily the most pointed and concise look at true Christian living.

James 1:2-3 -- "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

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Right from the beginning James declares that there will be trouble, not if but when, but without it we couldn't grow.

James is not afraid to hurt anyone's feelings or to step on anyone's toes. Throughout the book, he says what needs to be said to get people up and out of their comfortable living where they are clinging to world values. He exposes hypocritical practices and tries to teach Christ-like behavior for the Christian followers. James challenges the people to have genuine faith and let it produce good deeds naturally throughout their life.

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James 2:18 -- "Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

When we truly live with faith in Christ, we cannot help but let His love shine through us to others. The way to heaven is through faith, not good deeds, but it is a natural progression that cannot be unnoticed when you are living entirely for Christ.

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This is a small, concise book toward the end of the Bible, but it contains infinite wisdom. If you want to know where to look to get more out of your Christian life, begin with James. He provides a how-to book for Christian Living.

  

Hebrews (Bible in 90 Days)

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Have you ever felt like you were struggling with your faith in Christ? Hebrews was written with the purpose to prove to the Jews that Christ was both sufficient and superior. He fulfilled the laws, conquered sin and shattered all barriers between the people and God, which provided the opportunity for eternal life with the Father.

During this time of persecution after Christ's death and resurrection, many Jews turned from or refused Christianity because Judaism was what they knew and what they were comfortable with. Even now, we have this same struggle with the world. Being of the world, for many of us, is all we know and what we feel comfortable with. Even for those who grow up in a Christian environment, the world has its ways to lull you into complacency.

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Living for Christ is hard. You have to be nice to people who aren't nice to you, you have to step our of your comfort zone before you can even begin to change. You have to sacrifice your time and efforts to spend time with God and help others. Why would we do all of this anyway? Because it is worth it. And because Christ died so that we may have the freedom to live a life of peace and joy.

Hebrews 1:3 -- "The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven."

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Hebrews gives us hope because Christ is with us, even while we suffer. He can guard and guide us, not only because he is God, but also because he was man.

Hebrews 2:18 -- "Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested."

There is so much amazing encouragement in Hebrews. One of the highlights of the book is the "Faith Chapter," which is chapter 11.

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Hebrews 11:6 -- "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."

Chapter 11 lists off many of the great men and women of faith throughout the entire Bible. From Abel to Noah to Abraham and Sarah to Moses to David and many more. Though even all of those great names, you are still as important because the story isn't finished until God closes the whole book.

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Hebrews 11:40 -- "For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us."

God's Kingdom is here, right now, and we are a part of it. Christ is in us and walking among us guarding and guiding us through all of our trials and triumphs.

  

Philemon (Bible in 90 Days)

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Paul writes a personal letter to Philemon on behave of a slave. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who stole from his master and ran away to Rome. While on the run, Onesimus ran into Paul and the Good News. He accepted Christ, but then it was time to go home to Colosse.

With very careful words and explanations, Paul writes to his friend Philemon who is a member of the Colossian Church. He explains that Onesimus is coming back, not as a slave, but as a brother. Paul pleas for Philemon to forgive Onesimus’ transgressions, desertion and theft, for they are now brothers in Christ.

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“It seems Onesimus ran away for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord” (Philemon 1:15-16).

The book of Philemon demonstrates the power of Christ and true Christian fellowship in action. No matter what barriers stand in front of you, God calls you to seek unity and break down those walls to embrace your brothers and sisters in Christ.

  

Titus (Bible in 90 Days)

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Titus is one of the often forgotten books of the Bible; however, it is full of insight about the early church and how men and women are trained to lead and teach others. Titus was a Greek believer, a strong example to the work being done in Gentile believers. With the help and guidance of Paul, he became a mature Christian and a responsible leader and overseer to the churches on Crete.

Paul’s instructions to Titus are very similar to his instructions to Timothy as far as growing in Christ and structuring the church. Paul begins with leader responsibilities, pastoral qualifications and the contrast of good, faithful leaders with false teachers.

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“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you” (Titus 1:5).

Paul continues by emphasizing the importance of good deeds and how to be a good example Christian, and a courageous, convicted teacher. Paul also comments on some general responsibilities of all Christians, leaders or not.

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“This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone” (Titus 3:8).

Titus provides essential information in the discipleship process, helping the youth grow into leadership in the church. Paul provides principles for structuring the church and the requirements to become a responsible Christian leader.

  

1 & 2 Timothy (Bible in 90 Days)

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I've always identified with Timothy. He is a young man and leader who absorbs the teachings of Paul, his elder, but he also decides for himself how he lives and leads those who look up to him for guidance. He is a young person who makes a difference and stands up for what he believes to be right in God’s eyes.

First and Second Timothy are letters Paul wrote to his young companion and apprentice. Paul intended to encourage the young leader as well as give him instruction.

Timothy was one of Paul’s closest companions. He, at Paul’s request, served as a leader to the Church at Ephesus to counter false teachings and guide the people of faith.

Paul encouraged Timothy, especially because of his youth. Timothy was one of the first second generation Christians. But Paul points out that even in youth you can still be an example to others and a leader in the faith.

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“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

Paul wrote First Timothy just before his final imprisonment in Rome. He intended to visit Timothy again, but since he couldn't right away Paul wrote to Timothy about practical advice for his ministry. This turned First Timothy, a personal letter, into a handbook of Church administration and discipline.

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Paul wrote Second Timothy a couple years after the first, just before being arrested and executed by Emperor Nero. With the letter, Paul intended to pass the torch of leadership to the next generation of church leaders since he knew he would soon die. This is Paul’s final letter. It reveals his priorities and the matters of his heart such as sound doctrine, steadfast faith, confident endurance and lasting love.

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).