Blog | Pastoral Letters

A Word for Today | Revelation 1:9-16 One Sunday long ago, the apostle John was beginning his worship on the Lord’s Day, though he was alone and exiled on the Isle of Patmos.  Caught up by the Holy Spirit, John was given a vision of Jesus in His exalted glory.  Having heard behind him “a … Read more

A Word for Today | Revelation 1:8 The question of the sovereignty of God is essential to all Christians but especially to those who are going through hard times.  James Boice asks: “Is God sovereign?  Is he regulating affairs on earth today and at all times?  Or are things somehow out of his control?  Or … Read more

A Word for Today | Revelation 1:7 In the theatre, there is a practice known as “upstaging,” when the supporting characters turn their back on the audience, forcing their gaze on the lead actor who has entered the stage.  John is doing something like this in the opening section of Revelation, drawing all our attention … Read more

A Word for Today | Revelation 1:5-6 Perhaps my favorite doxology in the Bible is Revelation 1:5-6: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  In the … Read more

A Word for Today | Revelation 1:5 The apostle John opens the book of Revelation by offering us grace and peace from “Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (Rev. 1:5).  Not many of us would describe Jesus in these terms.  But the apostle sees … Read more