Here are my thoughts and highlights from Revelation as I conclude this particular journey through the Bible:

  • I serve the God who is, who was and who is about to arrive. That’s pretty cool.
  • John wrote to seven very different first century churches–all of which had their unique strengths and weaknesses.
  • "Don’t fear: I am first, I am Last, I’m Alive. I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever."
  • "Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing."
  • God doesn’t care about the outside. He’s only interested in the inside. "Appearances don’t impress me."
  • "You’re not cold, you’re not hot–far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit." Sounds like God wants action, passion and full-devotion from me.
  • "I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you." Isn’t that an amazing picture of a God that desires a personal relationship with each one of us?
  • They sang lots of new songs in the Bible. Seems like churches tend to sing a lot of old songs. Even non-traditional churches tend to gravitate to the familiar worship songs. I wonder if God prefers us singing new songs of worship.
  • "God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground."
  • Heaven will be very different than life as we know it. "He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good–tears gone, crying gone, pain gone."
  • God said, "I give freely to the thirsty." He gives freely. I’m responsible for the "thirst" part.
  • "Don’t seal the words of the prophecy of this book: don’t put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up." Do you feel the urgency? I do.