Under Pressure
Opening Prayer
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psa. 46:10). Take a few moments to pray for that stillness now.
Read REVELATION 1:1-8
[1] The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, [2] who testifies to everything he saw-that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed is the one who reads 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. [4] John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, [5] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, [6] and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. [7] Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. [8] “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do we learn about Jesus here?The Apostle John is about to embark upon a revealing of Jesus and of future events that will be mesmerizing and startling! He has been chosen by Almighty God to deliver first century “blogs” to seven churches under pressure (1,2).
Times were turbulent for these early believers. Surrounded by major pagan and occult influences, under threat of persecution by the Roman authorities, and wrestling with issues of determining faith from heresy, these significant communities were about to receive a message that would challenge them to the core (4)! Wisely, John establishes the credentials of the divine author with astounding clarity. Already submerged within an eye-catching image of a triumphant Jesus, he applauds the Lord for being the absolute, the ancient-present-future One (8).
When so many other voices vie for our allegiance, it takes dedication and passion to live a life of worshipful surrender to the Lord. John has these qualities and unashamedly boasts of the timeless traits of the Sovereign-King. Is it any wonder that God speaks to such a heart?
Apply
Would people call you a servant of God? Think through the day ahead about what service to God might look like.
Closing prayer
Lord God, I pray to have a heart like John’s; a heart that You can and do speak to.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.