The first thing to notice about John’s vision is Christ’s location. He is “in the midst of the seven lampstands” (Rev. 1:13). The lampstands are the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:20). Christ is present with His church! He is not an absentee king, ruler, head, or prophet, but He fulfills all of these…
Contrary to some notions that often affect the church, believers face difficulties and discouragements in the Christian life. The Christian “must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The Christian who lives godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). In a world that opposes God and His Christ, how…
John’s Relationship With His Audience John writes in Rev. 1:9, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” John identifies with his audience in three important aspects of…
In Matthew chapter 6, the Lord Jesus Christ cautions His disciples against praying as the hypocrites (v.5) and the heathen (v.7). He then prescribes a model prayer for His disciples’ use. Prior to the model prayer (or, “Lord’s Prayer” as it is commonly called), Jesus makes this statement in v.8, “For your Father knows the…
The Apostle John begins the book of Revelation with a theologically rich greeting to the seven churches of Asia Minor. In many ways, the greeting sets the foundation for the remainder of the book. The people of God are experiencing trials and they need to be reminded of the source of their comfort: the triune…
The Bible sets forth two fundamental truths: God is righteous and man is wicked. Because of this, the most important question facing man has always been, “How can a sinful man find acceptance with a holy God?” Ex 23:7 and Dt 25:1 set forth the law which forbids the justifying of the wicked and the…
The LBCF of 1689 highlights the ministry of the word in connection with saving faith: “The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word…” It should…
The doctrine of justification by faith alone is foundational to biblical Christianity. The doctrine has been a constant target of heretics and was central to the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. A study of church history shows that the attack upon the doctrine did not cease after Paul wrote to the Galatians. The church…
“My Son, here is a company of poor miserable souls, that have utterly undone themselves, and now lie open to my justice! Justice demands satisfaction for them, or will satisfy itself in the eternal ruin of them: What shall be done for these souls? And thus Christ returns. O my Father, such is my love…
“We value God solely for the things He can do; we make of Him a mere means to an ulterior end. And God refuses to be treated so; such a religion always fails in the hour of need. If we have regarded religion merely as a means of getting things – even lofty and unselfish…