The Alpha and the Omega Today’s passage: Revelation 1:4–8 Focus verse: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) Having worked our way through John’s short prologue to his book, we move forward with excitement about what we’ll encounter next. […]
The Revelation of Jesus Today’s passage: Revelation 1:1–3 Focus verse: The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. (Revelation 1:1) We think of the book of Revelation as John’s revelation, but, in fact, it is Jesus’s. John is only the recipient. This revelation comes from Jesus. Father […]
The Book of Revelation When I ask people what book of the Bible they’d like to understand better, the most frequent response is Revelation. I get that. John’s future-focused vision recorded in the book of Revelation overflows with evocative imagery that sparks our imagination even as we struggle to make sense of it. Revelation is […]
Today’s passage: 3 John 1:13–14 Focus verse: Peace to you. (3 John 1:14) John ends his first letter with an abrupt instruction to keep away from idols. In contrast, he wraps up his next two letters with a smoother, more intimate farewell. To both recipients he expresses his desire to see them in person and tell them […]
Today’s passage: 3 John 1:11–12 Focus verse: Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. (3 John 1:12) After cautioning Gaius about Diotrephes, John instructs Gaius to not imitate evil but what is good. Given the context, with this following the warning about Diotrephes, we realize that John is calling Diotrephes evil. Before […]
Today’s passage: 3 John 1:9–10 Focus verse: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. (3 John 1:9) After affirming and encouraging Gaius, John changes the topic. He mentions two men. They are in sharp contrast to each other. The first gives an example to avoid, while the second […]
Today’s passage: 3 John 1:5–8 Focus verse: Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters. (3 John 1:5) John opens his letter to Gaius by affirming his faithfulness to the truth and his continuing to walk in it (3 John 1:3). Now John likewise affirms Gaius’s faithfulness in his service to […]
Today’s passage: 3 John 1:1–4 Focus verse: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4) John’s third letter is to his dear friend Gaius, a man John loves in the truth. Loving in the truth is the same affirmation he writes to the chosen lady in […]
John’s letter to Gaius is a short one. It’s a warm note, full of encouragement and affirmation. John also reinforces some teachings with Gaius. The Bible preserves this letter for us to read in 3 John. This is likely the same Gaius grabbed by the riotous crowd in Ephesus. He, along with Aristarchus, travels with Paul […]
Today’s passage: 2 John 1:10–13 Focus verse: Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. (2 John 1:11) Building upon his instruction about the deceivers—the antichrists—John warns the chosen lady to not welcome anyone who holds to their teaching and to not show them hospitality. If she does, she aligns herself with their misguided ways and […]