An Unshakable Hope

This Sunday we begin a series on "the revelation of Jesus Christ" to the apostle John (Revelation 1:1). John tells us what he saw and that all who hear it and keep it are promised a blessing (1:3). His words were addressed to seven actual churches in Asia Minor, which are representative of all Christ's churches down to our day (2:7; 2:23). John unveils the spiritual battle raging behind the events of history—both things "that are and those that are to take place after this" (1:19). The fierce, ongoing battle Christ and his church face against the devil and his allies will definitively come to an end under the glorious reign of Jesus Christ. In his prologue, John lifts up Christ. He is supreme in the church, over the earth, and the focal point of all history. With such a hope, we can endure all manner of trials for his sake.