* Revelation is the only book of the Bible that begins with a blessing to those who read it, hear it and teach it, and ends with a curse to anyone who takes a little bit away from it or adds a little bit to it.  That right there should catch all of our attention as to how important this book is to study!

*John describes when Jesus will come back and how it looks completely different than how he first entered the world.  He came in the middle of the night, with most people not knowing He had arrived, as an infant.  When he returns he will come on the clouds, with EVERY eye seeing Him.  Everyone will know who He is.  And when He returns He will have white hair like snow, clothed with a long robe and a golden sash around his chest, and eyes like a flame of fire.  His feet will be burnished bronze and his voice will be like a roar.  His mouth will have a sharp two edged sword and His face will shine so brightly it will be as though you are looking at the sun.  David Pawson says that it's interesting how our image of Jesus and how we view Him is a gentle, meek, middle aged man usually in a flock of sheep or with children around Him.  And although that was how He may have been on earth, when He returns we need to understand that He will return as the Ancient of Days, with white hair and flaming eyes. And yet the first words out of His mouth are:

"Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.  I died and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades..."  Revelation 1:18

And this struck me, because I think most people don't want to think of Jesus as anything other than a sweet God of love and acceptance, but the reality is that He is coming back to judge the world.  BUT...if we are His children, and if we have been faithful, then FEAR NOT.  David wrote how God preaches on faith, hope and love. And while love is the greatest command, we often don't focus much on hope. And revelations truly is a book of hope!  The hope we have in Jesus when He returns to judge the wicked.

REVELATION 2-3

The next two chapters Jesus has John write 7 letters to the 7 churches that he preached at throughout his ministry.  I always read over these letters without a ton of thought, and WOW, I missed so much.  First off, within these 7 churches churches 1& 7 are in great danger as being obedient churches to Jesus, churches 2 and 6 are grand churches in very good condition and churches 3, 4, and 5 are middling churches (a mixed bag).  What David thinks these churches represent are 7 different types of churches around the world in space rather than in time, so these churches are the same types of churches and problems we have today, yet ALSO the letters were very personal, knowledgeable and direct about the exact sin and problems going on within the church itself when it was written.  These are some things I found amazing and hadn't noticed before:

*The letters are written to the angel over the church.  It is a supernatural letter.  And each of the letters are addressed to the angel over the church.  I think I realized how often we forget the supernatural realm. That there truly are angels, and demons, among us.  And how very awesome to think that if our church is alive, it is assigned an angel over it.  I found that fascinating and realized I need to not view everything as black and white but also look at it from a supernatural standpoint to the unseen battles and victories that are taking place as well.

*All 7 letters were read in all 7 churches, so they all could hear what other churches were struggling with and what they were doing well with.  This definitely was humbling more so to churches 1 &7, yet it is a beautiful picture of how God warns us, shows us, and gives us the opportunity to change our course! 

*These letters were so amazingly personal!  And honestly without understanding the history of each city, you would never know it, and I never knew it just reading it out of the Bible.  Which is why I so suggest getting Davids book for the rich history of what was happening in each of these towns at the time the letters were delivered and read.  God is such a personal and intimate God.  He is the only one that we cannot hide ANYTHING from. He can see into our hearts, and of course that can be terrifying, but also liberating, because we don't need to hide anything from Him. We can lay it down, repent of it, and ask for forgiveness.  And ultimately turn from our sin and renew our relationship with our Lord and Savior. 

That's as far as I have gotten, but I can't wait to go dig deeper.  And to leave you with an uplifting quote from the commentary...

"But the book of Revelation says come behind closed curtains, come behind the scenes, and you will see what is going to happen to world powers......Power does not belong to presidents and prime ministers, power belongs to God.  That is where real power resides and when you have read this book you will see it."