Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Revelation 1

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. v3

Based on very challenging previous solo attempts at reading Revelation, followed by a more fruitful study through Bible Study Fellowship, I've decided to study revelation with the assistance of an online study by David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church).  This online resource is 13 sessions long and today I reviewed session #1.

My key takeaways from session #1:

• Revelation is an apocalyptic vision filled with symbols and imagery but more than anything it provides in David Platt's words a "grand portrait of God's greatness" and a "glorious picture of god's gospel".
• It is very important to understand both the historical and Biblical contexts for this book - what is God saying to the 1st century church who first heard these words and were suffering greatly and tempted to bend to the prevailing culture, or tempted to succumb to false teachers and/or to Roman culture with all of its focus on material wealth, earthly power, sexual sin, etc.; this approach to focus on historical and Biblical context first then on what the application is for our lives today is important not just with Revelation but for all of the Bible
• We should avoid falling into a trap to interpret this book based on various academic schools of thought which only divide the church but instead focus on a broader more important message God seeks to convey: God wants to give us in the words of David Platt "unshakeable hope" as God has defeated sin and Satan; He is in control, has conquered all, reigns now, hears our cries, sees our tears and will wipe all tears away and take away all of our pain; God also calls us to unwavering holiness in the face of a seductive culture 
• We are promised blessings but also warned about falling away; God loves us now and He reigns now - for both not just in the past and in the future but now

 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  Daniel 7:13

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 12:10

 
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the blessings You pour out on me.  I sin...daily and struggle with temptation.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. v20-23

Jude (half-brother of Jesus), writes primarily to warn us about false/apostate teachers. Such false/apostate teachers exist in the church today (and seem to be growing in influence) so it is highly relevant that we can identify such teachers - we must prevent the spread of their teaching both in our own life and in the church-at-large.

Based on Jude's letter, John MacArthur provides us guidance about how to identify such teachers - giving us a list of characteristics or a "Profile of an Apostate"*:

1. Ungodly (v. 4) 
2. Morally perverted (v. 4) 
3. Deny Christ (v. 4) 
4. Defile the flesh (v. 8) 
5. Rebellious (v. 8) 
6. Revile holy angels (v. 8) 
7. Dreamers (v. 10) 
8. Ignorant (v. 10) 
9. Corrupted (v. 10) 
10. Grumblers (v. 16) 
11. Fault-finders (v. 16) 
12. Self-seeking (v. 16) 
13. Arrogant speakers (v. 16) 
14. Flatterers (v. 16) 
15. Mockers (v. 18) 
16. Cause division (v. 19) 
17. Worldly minded (v. 19) 
18. Without the Spirit (v. 19)

*The MacArthur Study Bible, by John MacArthur (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997) 1987. © 1993 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64614-64633). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

As Jude closes his letter, he not not only encourages us to build up our faith, to be patient for the Lord's return, and to full of grace and mercy for everyone; on this latter encouragement, even the false/apostate teachers are deserving of God's grace and mercy if we can find ways to reach them and if they reject their false/apostate teachings and return to Truth.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with incredible grace and mercy.  I am grateful.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

3 John 1

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. v8

In contrast to Diotrephes (see v9-10), Gaius extends hospitality to other (itinerant) believers (ministers) and John commends Gaius for this in this very personal letter.  John believes that it is important to "work together [with other believers] for the truth".

See also posts on , .

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for and sustains all things - thank You Jesus for how You provide and sustain.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

2 John 1

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. v4-6

Both OverviewBible.com and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) both indicate that this general epistle is focused on the relationship between truth, love and obedience.  We must be grounded in truth first and foremost, we must then love God and others and then this of course begets obedience. John also warns us to avoid hospitality for those who undermine truth as we "may actually aid those who are attempting to destroy those basic truths of the faith"*.

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64297-64298). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

John's focus on truth calls to mind the debate over

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. v18-20

As I wrap my study of 1 John, my attention is drawn once more towards commentary by John MacArthur, who highlights "Five Confidences of a True Christian" in his discussion of 1 John 5:13-21. MacArthur* indicates that the apostle John "accentuates their certainty [confidence] by using the word know seven times in this section".

1. Confident of eternal life in Christ (5:13) - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
2. Confident of answered prayer (5:14-17) -  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
3. Confident of victory over sin (5:18) - We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.
4. Confident of belonging to God (5:19) - We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
5. Confident of Christ being the one, true God (5:20) -  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64207-64209). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

I believe this discussion on confidence holds AT LEAST three key applications: (1) that we can have a confident faith that is strong based on the firm, unshakeable nature of God - this is particularly important in the face of persecution; (2) that we can be confident people knowing we are part of God's family, He loves us, is with us always, we can rely on Him, and count on the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave; (3) that confidence is first and foremost based on humility and the need for a Savior, and that this humility serves to refrain from arrogance.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me confidence - on many levels!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God and such love. I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. v14-15

I suspect that these verses are used out of context quite frequently and perhaps not well understood.  For myself, I know I can use a more authoritative view on these verses so here is what John MacArthur says*:

To pray according to God’s will is to pray in accord with what He would want, not what we would desire or insist that He do for us (John 14:13-14). John already specified that answered prayer also depends on obedience to God’s commandments and avoidance of sin (3:21; Psalm 66:18; John 15:7; 1 Peter 3:7). Since genuine believers know God’s Word (i.e., His will) and practice those things that are pleasing to Him, they never insist on their own will, but supremely seek God’s desires (Matthew 27:39–42). He hears us. The word hear signifies that God always hears the prayers of His children (Psalms 34:15–17), but not always in the manner they are presented.

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64220-64224). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

It is comforting that God hears our cries and responds to all prayers.  

Two takeaways: 
1. God's will is always what we should desire (as we exist to glorify Him) and so we should be motivated to better understand His will (see also Romans 12:2)
2. Sin separates us from God and "hinders" our prayers - so this should motivate us to avoid sin and draw us closer to Him.


My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God who loves me and who hears and responds to my prayers - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of a God who loves me so - my sin weighs me down and hinders me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give sLisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. v12

John ends the first of his two letters likely from Ephesus to the church body at large. As he ends this letter, he reminds us who Jesus is and what faith in Jesus provides.  John tells us that Jesus' commands are not burdensome (v3) and from my own experience I believe this to be true and I posted on a similar theme (freedom) last Monday.  Because only Jesus provides true freedom, and because we know that He loves us and only wants what is best for us, we can be assured that we have a life provides an unsurpassed joy.

John Piper's team writes that "joy is not optional" for believers.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You provide life - to thes full...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...far too often...every day...I don't want to disappoint but I do.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.