In The Spirit - Revelation 1:10-11

Revelation 1:10-11

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

A trumpet signifies an announcement, a royal decree. This is the powerful voice of the word of God, that of Jesus Christ. Scripture is understood to be divinely inspired, but Revelation is uniquely given by Jesus Christ to John. Jesus speaks to John in His full glory. 

He will address the Gentile churches in Chapters Two and Three, correcting and praising as appropriate, and encouraging perseverance to the end with the rewards that follow. The letters are addressed to the individual churches, but is presented as a book for the Church that awaits His return.

In Chapter Four and onward, the focus turns to Israel. The resolution of Israel in Scripture lies in the remaining chapters. The wrath of God will intensify on this tiny nation as the surrounding nations which seek the destruction of God's chosen ones and His holy mountain. 

Who And To Whom - Isaiah 53:1

Isaiah 53:1 ESV 

Who has believed what he has heard from us?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

It is those who enter the body of Christ. Belief brings us into the body and it is there we experience the power of God. He entered our flesh and raised it from death. We in the flesh enter His body on earth, bringing our flesh to join with His life. 

It is in the body that the Holy Spirit resides and brings to us the truth and life of God. 

Let Love - Romans 12:9

Romans 12:9 ESV 

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Love that is pure and genuine comes from the Lord. 

Love allows us to hear and obey the word of God. Love allows us to choose between good and evil. It is love that chooses the good. 

Brotherly Affection - Romans 12:10

Romans 12:10 ESV 

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

When Jesus asked Peter for the third time, "Do you love me?", He changed the word love from a lofty and divine love to a word that means brotherly affection. Jesus was asking if Peter loved Him in an intimate and personal way. 

Peter had been replying in that way all along. Jesus was letting Him know that their relationship had been restored. 

The brotherly affection and honor due to Christ is to be given to all in the body of Christ. We have been made brothers and sisters of Jesus and children of the living God. If we love Jesus, then we are to love others, even as we love ourselves. As we do for the least of them, we have done it to the Lord. 

Who Take Refuge - Psalms 5:11

Psalms 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

The Lord is an ever present help in times of trouble and our song of joy. 

John 14:16

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

Tempted By The Good

In the wilderness Jesus was tempted by evil, for this is the land of the knowledge of good and evil. 

In the wilderness we find ourselves tempted by both good and evil. God woos us with the word and tempts us with the good. In fact, it sounds too good to be true and that's the good news. 

It's true!

All People - 1 Timothy 3:1-4

1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

When Jesus died for the world, it was an invitation to all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. This should be our prayer and desire. Salvation is not imposed, but for those who would come, so come and see.