Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Apostolic Witnessing
Rev 1: 1 - 21
“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.” (V. 3)
What is the image that comes to our mind when we think of the Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps at Christmas it is of the baby in the manger, during Passion Week it is of Jesus on the Cross, and at other times of Jesus walking on earth, teaching, healing, performing miracles, or it is of the risen Lord Jesus involved in our daily lives. The Gospels are eye witness accounts of the Apostles of Jesus’s life on earth. What we see in today’s passage is a different picture of the Lord Jesus. We see him in his glory. It was a picture given to the Apostle John for our benefit. What we see in the book of Revelation, especially chapters 2, 3 are the only detailed words of Jesus after his resurrection and ascension into glory, and therefore are very important for us today.  John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos which had been turned into a penal colony where poorly fed and clothed prisoners were forced to work in the rock quarries. But this imprisonment did not stop our risen Lord from communicating with his beloved apostle.
The description of Jesus’ glory is spectacular.(v12-16), and caused John to fall down at his feet as though dead.  The passage also some mentions some unique titles – He is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth, the Alpha and Omega, and the Living one. There are also seven churches mentioned. Seven being the number of completeness, what Jesus said to the seven churches is all that is necessary for him to say to every church in every part of the world in each generation until he comes again. It is an evaluation from the Lord of the church; words of encouragement, exhortation, admonishment, and promise.
What does this mean for us today? For one as we see Jesus described here in all glory and power and the truth about him (that he has forgiven our sins and that he is coming back again soon) mentioned, we should be encouraged and hopeful. We should worship him for he is truly worthy. As the Lord of the church and our Lord, we should expect him to evaluate our lives just as he evaluated the seven churches. We can expect Jesus to evaluate our personal lifestyles, sin, and the use of our time, talents, gifts, and money. Let us listen to and understand his voice today and make the necessary changes so that we bring him glory and have an eternal reward.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, speak into our lives and the life of our church today as you spoke to the seven churches in the book of Revelation...Amen   
Thought for the day: Christ has blessed us with spiritual riches, so as to bless others through us.


Tinku Alex, Carmel MTC Boston

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