Christ, the savior of the world.

Michael Scaman

What other preachers might preach and sing messages same or different to the passage? Always a good question to ask. Three popular preachers most similar are as follows (according to chatGPT with no coaching or modification): Similar 1-John Piper: Like the passage, Piper emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the redemptive power of Christ's blood, and the anticipation of Christ's return. Similar 2-Tim Keller: Keller, known for his theological depth, aligns with the passage by focusing on the glory of God, the transformative nature of Christ's sacrifice, and the anticipation of the Second Coming. Similar 3-A. W. Tozer: Tozer's writings often mirror the passage's emphasis on God's majesty, the redemptive work of Christ, and the imminent return, reflecting a deep reverence for divine truths. Who might be more dissimilar in content and style? - According to ChaptGpt three popular preachers more different than the passage are as follows (also according to chatGPT with no coaching or modification): Different 1 - Joel Osteen: Unlike the passage's emphasis on divine sovereignty and the anticipation of Christ's return, Osteen is known for a positive and motivational message, focusing on personal prosperity and well-being. Different 2 - Rob Bell: Bell's teachings often explore more progressive and inclusive perspectives, diverging from the traditional tone of the passage and emphasizing a broader, more open interpretation of faith. Different 3 - Brian McLaren: McLaren's approach to Christianity involves questioning traditional doctrines and exploring a more emergent and postmodern theology, which contrasts with the straightforward and traditional tone of the provided passage.

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Abby. Good morning, friends. Thank you for this devo, Abby. Yes, I can relate. Your last two lines speak the truth wonderfully- “Each day we choose to surrender to Him is another day to walk in the freedom He has to offer. And as we get to know this Jesus, it only makes sense that our natural response is to eagerly await His return.” Q1-Q4 answered below-

Hugh Stephenson

How often do you watch sports events where you already know the outcome? I record games because my schedule often does not allow me to watch them live. Plus I can skip through all the commercials. Thus, I know how the game ends. It makes all the crazy ups and downs more tolerable. I can rest and enjoy the experience. Several years ago I was having lunch with a friend of mine. We were talking about the journey of faith. He described his key focus was answering two questions- 1. Who is Jesus? 2. Why did He come? About that same time a pastor phrased the questions differently- 1. Who is Jesus? 2. What’s He doing up there on that cross? As noted, my questions were- 1. Who is God? 2. Who am I? 3. Why am I here? In seeking understanding, I initially I worked my questions down to these two “sub questions”- 1. Is the resurrection true? 2. Is the Bible a reliable source of authority? Having come to an understanding of the answers to all of these questions I began to work my way through the Bible. It all started in January 2015 when we read the entire Bible cover-to-cover. I was helped immensely by classes from the Equipping Ministry. Out of all this came an orientation to my three favorite books of the Bible- Genesis Leviticus Revelation This a list that gets me some sideways looks. Here’s the reason why- For me, these three books answer the four “world view” questions, (as I understand them). How did this begin? What went wrong? How does it get fixed? How does it end? Genesis answers the first three questions for me. Leviticus explains to me the holiness and purity of God. It conveys the reason why I need the same and points to Jesus as the means. Revelation tells me how it will all be made right. The vision of the process can make it hard to grasp the details- but the big picture is quite clear. In other words, how I get back to Edenic-like unity with God. The ESV SB helps with these notes- “Rev. 1:1–8 Prologue. John signals how to read the book and receive its promised blessings. The terms “revelation,” “show,” “made it known” (a Gk. verb related to “sign,” 12:1, 3; 15:1), and “he saw” prepare the reader and hearers for symbolic visions, which make history’s hidden realities visible. Constable adds- “God wanted His bond-servants (cf. 22:6; Acts 2:18) to have this revelation of the things which must soon take place. "If we are having difficulty with this blessed closing book of God's holy Word, let us surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ as His servants. The book was written to bondservants."[39] "It will be vain to become occupied with 'sevens,' 'hundred-forty-four-thousands,' 'six-sixty-sixes,' the restoration of the Roman Empire, the person of the antichrist, the two wild beasts, the 'millennium,' or even the new Jerusalem; unless, along with God the Father, who has subjected all things unto Him, Christ is ever before our eyes!"[38]

Hugh Stephenson

I am taught that these events are “imminent” meaning that nothing further needs to happen before they commence. Coming to that understanding has focused my attention for sure. “The idea behind the Greek words translated "soon" (en tachei) is probably that the events to be revealed could happen at any time without delay (cf. 22:16).” "The phrase translated 'shortly' (Greek: en tachei) means 'without delay,' indicating that the judgments of which the book speaks may begin at any time."[40] "... the view that sees en tachei meaning 'soon' and thereby focuses on the imminence of the predicted events is impressive. A major thrust of Revelation is its emphasis upon the shortness of time before the fulfillment. In the midst of persecution God's people do not have long to wait for relief to come. To say that the relief will come 'suddenly' offers no encouragement, but to say that it will come 'soon' does."[41] "A 'revelation' of the end of history is given not for the satisfaction of curiosity, but to inspire living in accordance with the reality unveiled."[53] "John actually wrote to seven Churches, but the very completeness of the number seven indicates that his message is to the whole Church, and is still meant for us today."[59] “The Apostle Paul also wrote letters to churches in seven places: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica. The province of Asia lay in the geographic region of Asia Minor (modern western Turkey).” "The theme of the book is the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over all enemies and the establishment of His earthly kingdom."[73] Closing thoughts from Constable, (edited) -Jesus Christ will return physically to earth, just as He ascended physically into heaven (1:4, 8; 2:5, 16; 3:11; 4:8; 16:15; 22:7, 12, 20 [twice]; Acts 1:9-11). -Every eye will see Him (Matt. 24:30; cf. Num. 11:25; Ps. 104:3; Isa. 19:1; Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10-14). -This great text announces the climactic event in Revelation, namely, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth at His second coming (19:11-16).[77] All that intervenes between this verse and 19:11-16 leads up to that event. -“The promise combines Daniel 7:13 with Zechariah 12:10 ... Daniel 7 provides a key focus for John throughout the whole book (there are no fewer than thirty-one allusions to it)."[78] -“So it is to be. Amen" provides firm assurance that the coming of Christ will happen as prophesied in this verse. My friends at The Eden Project quote James KA Smith to frame it this way- “We’re all trying to get back to a home we’ve never been to.” Shane and Shane sing it better than I could ever say it- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CACOsoOQWY4

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Abby, and bless you for being the helping hands and warm heart of Jesus as you minister to sick and hurting people in the ER! Whenever I read Revelation 1:4, I am reminded of Carl Sagan's stirring opening lines to his Cosmos series: “The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.” It is one of the most memorable lines in modern history. There's a reason it is so powerful; I believe Sagan was serving as the spokesman for the enemy of our souls, who ripped off John's glorious truth elevating God as the one who IS, who WAS (and has always been, because He's eternal), and who ALWAYS WILL BE (because He is the everlasting God). That phrase doesn't occur anywhere else in the Bible outside of Revelation. Sagan didn't believe in the Bible, but he was not above stealing from it. I just learned that verse 4 appears awkward grammatically in the Greek, until we discover that in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, God refers to Himself in Exodus 3:14 as "He who is"--the same wording in Greek as here in verse 4. John is brilliantly connecting the dots between God's self-disclosure in one of the most important passages in the entire Bible, to his letter to the churches. The same God who revealed Himself and His plans in the Old Testament was still doing the same thing in the letter John was writing. :::goosebumps:::

Jason Cromwell

The Good News is Jesus is Alive and Seated at the right Hand of the Father. We live in a world that is in constant turbulence. Everything Jesus talked about happening in the End Times can be found every day somewhere in the world from your favorite news site. It's nice to know in the midst of the craziness we have "the joy of the Lord" flowing into our life.

Michael Sisson

Re: Rev 1:5 Rev 1:5 (NASB) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the >>>ruler of the kings of the earth.<<< To Him who loves us and released us from our sins *by His blood— See Isa 49:7 Re: Rev 1:7 Rev 1:7 (NASB) >>>BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS<<<, and >>>every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him<<<; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. See Mt 24:30; 26:64; Lk 21:27, Acts 1:11, Mk 13:26, Dan 7:13 "R. Alexandri said: “R. Y’hoshua’a ben Levi explained: ‘If they will be righteous, [the Messiah will come] on the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13); if they will not be righteous, [he will come] as a poor man riding upon an ass (Zech 9:9)” —Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 98a as quoted by Raphael Patai in his book, THE MESSIAH TEXTS, p 83. See also Zec 12:10; Jn 19:37

Amy Lowther

1. This passage gives me comfort. The passage presents comfort in saying “to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” because it shows the depth of Christ’s love for us. The passage also shows comfort in saying “grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come” because these ideas help us stress less in life. 2. I am excited for the possibility that Jesus would return. It helps motivate me to do what is right. 3. I respect God a lot. Scripture helps me identify who He is and what He is about so I understand and value Him. 4. My question is “What’s next?”. This passage is not confusing. This passage is encouraging and presents a lot of possibilities and opportunities. God helps me address having several choices at once so confusion does not occur. Prayer: God, Thank you for the gifts Jesus Christ offers. Thank you for encouraging grace and peace. Be with everyone as Jesus helps free us from sin. Amen. Abby - Thank you for sharing your ideas. I applaud you for working on a relationship with God while being an ER Nurse. I appreciate your honesty in saying you “easily fall into a trap of seeing God as a referee, ready to call me out on every mistake, sin, and failure. Yet, I am reminded by Scripture that's not who He is.” This is an excellent point. God loves and cares for each of us when we do good and when we make mistakes.