| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 27 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 2 mins 8 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 37 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 3 mins 36 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 2 mins 7 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 5 mins 45 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 4 mins 4 secs | 0 Comments
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 […]
| By Andy Moyle | 3 mins 19 secs | 0 Comments
The last book of the New Testament! Well done if you have studied the daily Scriptures and read the commentaries in the Gateway Church ‘New Testament in a Year’ up to this point! Only one more book to go. And what a book of hope! ‘Revelation presents the final chapter in God’s story of salvation […]
| By Andy Moyle | 3 mins 18 secs | 0 Comments
I love that, at the very start of his letter, Jude reminds us of some key aspects of our identity before diving into the main part of his letter. The NLT version says ‘I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the […]