Day Eighty-Seven -- The time is near. . .
Jude and Revelation 1:1--17:18
As we learned from The Acts of the Apostles and a number of the New Testament letters, the early Christians were subject to outside opposition and persecution, as well as being challenged by internal differences. The final letter of the New Testament deals with the latter. Jude warns of "godless men" who have "secretly slipped in" and are leading the community astray from the Gospel. Jude has some harsh words about these infiltrators and urges his readers to persevere and to "Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life" (Jude 21).
Which brings us to the last writing of the Bible, the oft ignored and little appreciated prophetic vision known as The Revelation to John. This style of writing is Christian apocalyptic, meaning it is about the end of the world and the fulfillment of God's purpose for humanity. There is an urgency in Revelation for the churches to repent, to hold on to what they have received, to endure and be faithful "even to the point of death" (Revelation 2:10). As each of the seven churches are addressed by Christ they are told to be attentive to "what the Spirit says to the churches."
There is a great battle brewing, however, that is larger than what any of the individual churches have faced. Before it is over heaven and earth will be shaken by warfare between good and evil. What will be the cosmic and earthly consequences? While not the end of the Revelation, we are given an assurance of the outcome: "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings -- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers" (17:14)
As we learned from The Acts of the Apostles and a number of the New Testament letters, the early Christians were subject to outside opposition and persecution, as well as being challenged by internal differences. The final letter of the New Testament deals with the latter. Jude warns of "godless men" who have "secretly slipped in" and are leading the community astray from the Gospel. Jude has some harsh words about these infiltrators and urges his readers to persevere and to "Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life" (Jude 21).
Which brings us to the last writing of the Bible, the oft ignored and little appreciated prophetic vision known as The Revelation to John. This style of writing is Christian apocalyptic, meaning it is about the end of the world and the fulfillment of God's purpose for humanity. There is an urgency in Revelation for the churches to repent, to hold on to what they have received, to endure and be faithful "even to the point of death" (Revelation 2:10). As each of the seven churches are addressed by Christ they are told to be attentive to "what the Spirit says to the churches."
There is a great battle brewing, however, that is larger than what any of the individual churches have faced. Before it is over heaven and earth will be shaken by warfare between good and evil. What will be the cosmic and earthly consequences? While not the end of the Revelation, we are given an assurance of the outcome: "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings -- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers" (17:14)
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