Read
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
(Revelation 1: 3)
Think
There’s plenty to take from these messages to the churches – indeed we’re doing a whole teaching series on it at the moment – but what I want to pay attention to in this post is the one who is doing the talking.
Each of the 7 messages (including the three in the next chapter) follow a similar structure.
- “These are words of him…” – they’re each introduced as a message from Jesus, and each focusses on a particular thing about him that will be relevant to that church
- “I know…” – Jesus knows all about each church, whether it’s hidden or plain, and he gives each church a mixture of encouragement and challenge.
- “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” A clear warning to pay attention, followed by a promise of reward to:
- “The one who is victorious”
What strikes me as I read is the lavish promises he makes to ‘the one who is victorious’ – all those who listen to what he says and live in light of it. But what’s most amazing is that the real ‘One who is victorious’ is Jesus himself. Read Colossians 2:13-15, or Philippians 2: 5-11. He won the battle, and he invites us to share in the spoils, to share with him in his victory.
What does it take to be ‘one who is victorious’? For Christ it took everything – living a flawless life, dying in our place on the cross, rising again to life. For us it takes faith – to believe that he is who he says he is, and to allow that belief to shape everything else in our lives. On friends, to victory!
Pray
Father thank you for the victory of Jesus. Thank you that you have invited us into his victory, to share forever in all that he has won for us. Help us to hear your words, and to live as you command.
Amen
