Page 19 - Living Light 91

Monday December 15 - Take Jesus words to heart! “...write:...” Revelation 2:8
I enjoy driving but freeze when I see all the mysterious pipes and valves under the car bonnet! Revelation can feel like this, as it ‘lifts the bonnet’ on our earthly life and reveals the heavenly reality behind the scenes! The word ‘revelation’ means to reveal, and the book of Revelation reveals ‘the splendour of light’ we don’t otherwise see. At its heart Revelation reveals Jesus in all his majestic splendour and transcendent glory – a sight so stunning that the apostle John passed out when he saw him! (Revelation 1:17).
Why did John write? Today’s verse gives a one-word answer: Jesus commanded him to! Jesus entrusted John with his living word, to strengthen faithful churches – and warn unfaithful ones in danger of extinction. Imagine the joy of the believers in Smyrna, clustered around the parchments, eagerly hearing Jesus’ words read out! Jesus speaks these words to both faithful and unfaithful churches today – commanding us to ‘hear’, ‘take to heart’, and be ‘blessed’ (Revelation 1:3)!
It’s tough when churches lose a beloved leader, and Smyrna must have mourned their exiled overseer, John. But the supreme leader of our churches is the Lord Jesus, who strengthens us, by his living word – ‘alive and active’ through his Spirit (Hebrews 4:12).
In the deadly shifting sands of today’s culture, let’s trust the authority of God’s word, as the faithful Smyrna church did.
Heavenly Father, please unite our churches under the authority of your unchanging living word. Embed it in our hearts, by your Spirit. Amen.
Tues December 16 - The staggering glory of Jesus! “These are the words of he who is the First and the Last, who died and
came to life again. I know your afflictions...” Revelation 2:8-9
If you were writing, how would you introduce yourself if the recipient needed to know your credentials? Which qualities would you highlight?
Jesus’ introduction of himself is jaw-dropping! In one power-packed sentence he reminds us of who he is and what he’s done: things unparalleled in human history! No other religion has a leader who died, came alive again, and lives forever! ‘He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made...’ (John 1:1-3).
Jesus opened the floodgates of his riches into the Smyrnaean’s hearts, through his personal ‘letter’ and through the whole book of Revelation! He comforted them, as a parent comforts an anxious child – drawing close, assuring them: “‘I know...” He had nothing but praise for this little church, and calmed their fears by demonstrating his presence and his power, reassuring them of their eternal home with him.
This is exactly what the suffering Smyrnaeans, and you and I, need to hear – that Jesus knows our pain, he is with us, and his all-surpassing power guarantees our salvation and bodily resurrection, forever! “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Do you believe this? This Christmas, may our churches proclaim Jesus’ unique and life-saving power!
Glorious Lord, your powerful presence is with me, now and forever, calming my fears. I put my trust in your great love. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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