Rev 9:13-10:11
The Roman Empire was fearful of attack on in its eastern flank, beyond the Euphrates, by the Parthians. That is dwarfed by Revelation 9:13f. There’s opportunity to repent still, but nations and individuals that give themselves to idolatry and the worship of power and conquest may find themselves overwhelmed by military judgement – think Babylon, […]
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Rev 8:1-9:12
Seven angels blow seven trumpets in the second cycle of judgements leading up to the second coming! Trumpets led to the fall of the city of Jericho, these likewise lead to the fall of the worldly city. The first five trumpets echo the Exodus plagues. And just like in Exodus, the plagues don’t lead to […]
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Rev 7:1-17
The announcement of the seventh seal is delayed by an interlude, where the Lord wants the saints to be assured that God knows and protects them even in the midst of the mess of chapter 6. They are sealed from spiritual harm like in Ezekiel 9:4. Notice the hearing and seeing motif again. John hears of […]
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Rev 6:1-17
Revelation now moves into a description of what will be, from John’s visionary viewpoint in AD 90. The following chapters show a series of judgements, leading up to the return of Christ, from different perspectives. I don’t believe that they are a linear timeline, each of the passages ends with a final judgement and then […]
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Rev 5:1-14
Before John’s vision looks at a series of sevens – seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls, which depict the end from different viewpoints – we are introduced to the scroll and the lamb. Revelation contains so many allusions to the Old Testament and fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. The scroll is paralleled in Daniel […]
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Rev 4:1-11
A group of Bible college students had finished playing basketball in the gym. They noticed a cleaner in the corner reading a book. “What are you reading?”, “The Bible.” “What part of the Bible?” “Revelation.” Thinking they could help the poor soul, they asked “Do you understand what you are reading?” “Yes” – they […]
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Rev 3:7-22
Philadelphia The church in Philadelphia is commended – they are faithful! God loves faithful obedience over the long haul. Although they have little strength they have kept God’s word. They are facing opposition from non-Christian Jews but they will see victory and security, so John encourages them to keep going. The key of David that […]
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Rev 2:18-3:6
The book of Revelation gives us seven letters from Jesus to seven churches. The fourth letter is addressed to the church in Thyatira. This small city was renowned as a centre for manufacturing, and a large number of trade guilds existed, each with its own patron deity and festivals. In addition, the Greco-Roman god Apollo […]
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Rev 2:1-17
Today’s reading comprises the first three letters of Jesus to the churches in Asia Minor, now known as Turkey. We start at Ephesus, on the western coast and then travel north to Smyrna and finally further north to Pergamum. The general pattern of the letters (including the next four in tomorrow’s reading) is a command […]
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