While we celebrate Thanksgiving on earth below, what’s going on in heaven? We could answer this question in part by examining the three instances of the word “thanks” in the book of Revelation (Rev 4:9; 7:12; 11:17). This brief study can be one of the many ways whereby we are blessed to read and heed… Read More »
The final vision of Daniel spans three chapters (Daniel 10–12) and begins and closes with the preincarnate Son of God. The first appearance of the Son yields undeniable parallels between Daniel 10:5–9 and other passages that clearly identify the Son of God (Ezekiel 1:26–28; Acts 9:4a, 7; 22:9; Revelation 1:12–17). On the bank of the… Read More »
The rapture is the event in which “the dead in Christ will rise first” and “then we who are alive, who are left” are “caught up together… in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). We can never know when exactly the rapture will take place, but Scripture at least… Read More »
Passage Summary John, probably quoting Jesus, warned his readers and the church as a whole to add no more words to this prophecy, the book of Revelation—offenders would be left behind to experience the plagues of this book (Rev 22:18; cf. 3:10). In giving this warning, John commanded the cessation of prophecy altogether and thereby… Read More »
Passage Summary Christ promises to come soon with a reward for each person, for better or worse, according to his deeds (Rev 22:12). He does so as the One who created and ends all things for the glory of Him and His Father (Rev 22:13; cf. 1:8; 21:6). The reward for those whose robes are… Read More »
Passage Summary John seems to conclude his thoughts on his final vision and, whether overwhelmed by the new creation or the angel or both, he fell down to worship his angelic guide (Rev 21:8–9a; 19:10). He was immediately rebuked for doing so—the angel was not God but a fellow slave to John, other prophets, and… Read More »
Passage Summary John echoes his introduction in many ways, indicating that his book is now drawing to an end—a God-sent angel delivered and now verifies to John the truthfulness and near fulfillment of his prophecy in Revelation, bringing blessing to the slaves of God as they keep the words of this prophecy (Rev 22:6–7; cf.… Read More »
Passage Summary The angel showed John a bright, flowing river of life, coming from the throne of the Father and the Son (Rev 22:1). The river flowed through the center of the city’s street and enjoyed the tree of life (many trees) along its banks (Rev 22:2a). The fruit is harvested each month, and the… Read More »
Passage Summary John sees no temple within the city, being that the Father and the Lamb are the temple (Rev 21:22). Neither sun nor moon are necessary as the glory of God and His Son illuminates all things (Rev 21:23). Nations and kings walk around the new creation by this light and bring their honor… Read More »
Passage Summary The angel with John used a golden rod to measure the New Jerusalem, which was roughly 1,500 miles long, wide, and high, complete with a wall over 200 feet thick (Rev 21:15–18; cf. 21:9). The wall was jasper (cf. Rev 4:3; 18:11) while the city and its streets were a pure, transparent glass… Read More »