REVELATION 1:4–6 John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia (Revelation 1:4a). Revelation has to do with the coming of Jesus Christ, but the idea of Christ’s coming means more than just His final coming in power at the end of history. It also includes His coming into history to deal with His … Continue reading “AN OVERVIEW OF REVELATION”
WHO WROTE REVELATION?
REVELATION 1:1–3 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 (Revelation 1:1). The proper title of the book we shall study this month is The Revelation of Jesus Christ, not The Revelation of … Continue reading “WHO WROTE REVELATION?”
THE DIVIDING LINE
3 JOHN I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us (3 John 9). In 3 John 9, the apostle mentions a letter he had written to “the church.” Because 2 John is written to the “elect lady,” and this seems to be a reference … Continue reading “THE DIVIDING LINE”
GETTING AHEAD OF THE GOSPEL
2 JOHN Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son (2 John 9). During the first two centuries, the Gospel was taken from place to place by traveling evangelists and teachers. Believers customarily took … Continue reading “GETTING AHEAD OF THE GOSPEL”
TRUE LOVE FOR GOD
1 JOHN 5 This is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). What does it mean to love God? Our first reply may be that when we love God, we feel an emotional affection for Him, one that supersedes all other affections. And this is true, … Continue reading “TRUE LOVE FOR GOD”
THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST
1 JOHN 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). John turns now to a theme that is found frequently in the Bible, but which too many modern Christians don’t want … Continue reading “THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST”
CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
1 JOHN 3 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous (1 John 3:12). The Christian has three fundamental relationships in this world. The first is his relationship with God, the … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD”
CHILDREN IN THE CHURCH
1 JOHN 2 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name (1 John 2:12). Seven times in the course of his letter, John addresses the saints as “dear children” (Greek, teknia). In chapter two of his letter, he divides these dear children into three groups: fathers, … Continue reading “CHILDREN IN THE CHURCH”
KEEPING CLOSE TO GOD
1 JOHN 1 If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth (1 John 1:6). Today we begin a survey of 1 John. The author does not identify himself, but from earliest times the book has been ascribed to the apostle John, and … Continue reading “KEEPING CLOSE TO GOD”
THE BATTLE WITH GUILT
ZECHARIAH 3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him (Zechariah 3:1). One of the primary ways Satan and his legions paralyze the believer is through accusation. (Satan means “accuser.”) One way is for the devil to tempt … Continue reading “THE BATTLE WITH GUILT”