Every generation has thought Jesus was soon coming. The world always seems a disaster and in need of a Savior!

John says that God showed this revelation of Jesus to him to show the servants of Christ what “must soon take place.” Believers live in the expectation of Christ’s return. We’re not to look at it as a far-off event. We’re to stay awake, be alert, not be caught off guard. We live today in light of eternity. We live today not for what’s temporary on earth. We live today for what’s going to matter when the sky is rolled back like a scroll and the inhabitants of the earth either experience wrath or rapture. There are things more important than others. What matters today?

John is our brother in Christ and our partner both in the tribulation and in the patient endurance that are in Jesus. There are troubles and more are coming. They will require us to patiently endure, but we’re not in this alone. Revelation was written by someone who was exiled on an island. Historical accounts say that they tried to boil John alive in hot oil, but he didn’t die, so they sent him into exile instead. God is in control. It wasn’t time for him to die. But even beyond that, God wanted to get John alone to receive this overwhelming vision. And God makes a way for Revelation to be written and delivered to the churches, even when John is on a prison island.

Jesus is the first. Jesus is the last. He’s everything to you every day. Make Him all.

He died, and behold, He is alive. We die, and behold, we live in Christ.

This revelation is going out to the churches. There are seven listed here, but seven is the number of completion. This revelation is for the whole church, past, present, and future.

The revelation is from a God who shines brighter than the sun and whose words are as a double-edged sword. His words go right to the heart. Take them to heart.