Tag: Revelation

Keep the Word of Prophecy

“Look! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.” – Revelation 22:7 (NET)

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, the words of Revelation 22:7 ring with urgency and hope. Jesus declares His return is imminent, and He pronounces a blessing for those who “keep” the prophecy of this book. But what does it mean to keep a prophecy, especially when Revelation’s imagery and meanings are often debated?

Keeping this prophecy begins not with perfect understanding, but with a faithful heart. It’s about living in anticipation of Christ’s return, allowing the truth of His ultimate victory to shape our daily decisions. Revelation calls us to trust God’s sovereignty, to reject the seductive pull of worldly values, and to endure in faith even when circumstances challenge us.

This passage reminds us that faithfulness is not contingent on our mastery of every detail. Instead, it’s found in walking in step with the Gospel, standing firm in hope, and pointing others toward Jesus. Revelation paints a picture of a world redeemed, of sin and death defeated, and of God dwelling eternally with His people. To keep this prophecy is to live as though that promise is already breaking into our lives.

As the new year dawns, it’s the perfect time to renew our commitment to this hope. Just as Revelation concludes with an urgent call to readiness, the turning of the calendar invites us to examine our hearts. Are we living in expectation of Jesus’ return? Are we prioritizing His kingdom over the fleeting pleasures of this world?

Keeping the prophecy means letting it guide our values and choices, even when life feels uncertain or the world’s messages grow louder. It’s an invitation to embrace the new year with a resolve to stand firm, to trust deeply, and to love boldly, knowing the King is coming.

Adorned with Decadent Blasphemy

Revelation 17 introduces us to a woman clothed in fine garments, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, seated atop a scarlet beast. Her appearance is captivating, even alluring, but her opulence conceals her true nature. She is described as holding a golden cup filled with abominations and the impurities of her immorality. Beneath her glittering surface lies a heart filled with rebellion against God, proudly bearing the name “Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth.”

At first glance, her splendor is tempting—who wouldn’t be drawn to such wealth and power? But her outward beauty is a façade, disguising her inner corruption. This image challenges us to consider how the allure of worldly success, comfort, and luxury can distract us from what truly matters. How often do we chase after things that seem good on the surface but lead us away from God?

In our day-to-day lives, we face countless versions of this “adornment.” The pursuit of wealth, status, and approval can easily become our focus. These things may not be inherently wrong, but when they consume us—when they become idols—they lead us to compromise our faith. We may find ourselves justifying small lies, bending moral standards, or neglecting our relationship with God, all in the name of achieving something “beautiful.”

Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 that even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. What is shiny, appealing, or popular is not always godly. Like the woman riding the beast, the world often presents sin in attractive packaging. But as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 23:27, appearances can be deceiving: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”

The call for us is to see through the glimmering lies of the world and recognize their true nature. Are we pursuing holiness, or are we settling for something adorned with decadent blasphemy? The answer lies in daily examining our hearts, our priorities, and the things we are chasing.

Revelation 17 ends with the woman’s downfall, a sobering reminder that worldly allurements are fleeting. Only God’s kingdom endures. As we navigate a culture that often prizes appearances and material wealth over truth and faithfulness, let’s anchor ourselves in Christ, who offers a beauty and a glory that will never fade.

Why Knowing the True Gospel Is Your Only Defense Against Spiritual Counterfeits

It’s easy to think we’d never be deceived by false teaching. After all, if someone were to walk into your church, preaching a gospel of blatant lies, you’d recognize it immediately, wouldn’t you? But Revelation 13:11-18 reminds us that deception doesn’t come with a warning label. The second beast appears “like a lamb,” mimicking Christ, but speaks “like a dragon,” drawing people into worship through persuasive signs and wonders. This passage is a sobering reminder: the greatest threats to the truth often come clothed in what seems good, even holy.

The real danger lies in the subtlety. False gospels don’t announce themselves as counterfeit—they twist just enough truth to sound convincing. The key to not being deceived isn’t to become an expert in every possible lie but to know the true gospel so intimately that anything else feels wrong. Think of a bank teller trained to spot counterfeit bills; their training focuses not on studying every forgery but on handling the real thing so often that fakes are obvious.

We live in a time of competing voices, where charismatic leaders and influencers are armed with convincing words, emotional appeals, and even miracles that appear godly. Without a firm foundation in Scripture, even the most well-meaning believer can be led astray. This is why Paul urges Timothy to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and why the Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures daily to test what they heard (Acts 17:11).

Confidence in the gospel comes from familiarity with Christ. If we know Him—His character, His words, His mission—then no false teacher, no matter how powerful or convincing, can move us. And the more time we spend in prayer, in His Word, and in His presence, the more unshakable our foundation becomes.

The world will continue to present us with spiritual counterfeits. The question isn’t if we’ll encounter them but whether we’ll recognize them. Let’s be a people so confident in the truth of Jesus that no imitation, no matter how appealing, can shake our faith.

The God Who Saves, Even in Judgment

As we read through Revelation, particularly chapters 7 to 10, we are swept into the grandeur of God’s final plans for humanity and creation. These chapters depict a world groaning under divine judgment—earthquakes, plagues, cosmic upheaval. Yet, woven into this vivid tapestry of destruction is an astonishing truth: even as God dismantles the earth, His desire is still to save.

In Revelation 7, God pauses judgment to seal His servants, protecting them as a testimony to His faithfulness. Later, amidst devastating trumpets and plagues, the cries for repentance echo implicitly. God does not unleash judgment in cold indifference; He does so as a last call to a world entrenched in rebellion. It’s breathtaking to consider that His wrath is tempered by mercy, and His justice is infused with grace.

The heart of God is consistent throughout Scripture. In Ezekiel 33:11, God declares, “I take no delight in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” The apostle Peter echoes this in 2 Peter 3:9, reminding us that God’s delay in judgment stems from His desire for all to come to repentance. Revelation amplifies this same divine longing, even as judgment unfolds.

What does this mean for us? It’s a call to marvel at the depths of God’s mercy. Even in our personal moments of rebellion or indifference, God extends His hand. His desire is not destruction but redemption. If God’s heart remains open to a rebellious world, how much more should ours burn with urgency to share the Gospel? His mercy invites us to partner with Him in proclaiming the good news, knowing that time is short.

In the tension between judgment and salvation, we see the immeasurable love of a God who does not give up on His creation. That love is still extended today—to you, to me, and to a world He longs to save.

Losing My Religion

Revelation 3:1-6 delivers a stark warning to the church in Sardis. Though they had a reputation for being alive, they were spiritually dead. Jesus exhorts them to wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent—or risk losing what little they have left. This passage, among others, raises an age-old question: Can salvation be lost? Christians have debated this for centuries, and while it isn’t an essential issue of faith, understanding it can shape how we live as followers of Christ.

The two most common views on this issue are Eternal Security and Conditional Security.

Eternal Security teaches that once someone is truly saved, their salvation is secure forever. Proponents point to John 10:28-29 (“no one will snatch them out of my hand”) and Romans 8:38-39 (“nothing can separate us from the love of God”) as proof that God’s promises cannot be thwarted. The strength of this view lies in its confidence in God’s faithfulness. However, it struggles to reconcile the many warnings in Scripture about falling away (James 1:13-15, Hebrews 6:4-6, Revelation 3:5). Critics argue it can lead to complacency, downplaying human responsibility in maintaining faith.

Conditional Security, on the other hand, emphasizes the believer’s responsibility to continue in faith. This view teaches that salvation can be lost if the believer does not work to maintain good standing in their relationship with Christ. This view cites passages like Hebrews 10:26-27 and 2 Peter 2:20-22. Its strength lies in its recognition of free will and the relational nature of salvation. However, it can create anxiety for believers, leaving them unsure of their standing with God and overly focused on their performance rather than His grace.

Where do I land? Somewhere in between. I believe salvation cannot be stolen or accidentally lost, as Eternal Security affirms, but I also see the clear biblical teaching that believers can willfully reject God. I have labelled my view Covenantal Security.

Covenantal Security holds that salvation is relational and covenantal, much like a marriage. God is absolutely faithful and keeps His promises, but He chooses not to override our will. If we choose to break the covenant, He honours that choice. Ephesians 1:13 describes believers as being “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” This seal is not like a bank vault that locks down its contents, but rather like the seal on an envelope, signalling that the contents are under the ownership and protection of the seal-er, Christ in this case. Yet such a seal, by nature, can indeed be broken—but not by accident, and not by external forces. Only the one sealed can choose to break it, and only then through deliberate rejection. This view balances the assurance of Eternal Security with the accountability of Conditional Security. It also explains why Scripture warns us so seriously about falling away while also offering immense assurance to those who abide in Christ (John 15:4-6).

Both Eternal Security and Conditional Security, while helpful frameworks, fall short of fully integrating the breadth of biblical teaching. Eternal Security rightly emphasizes God’s sovereignty but tends to neglect the relational, covenantal nature of salvation. Conditional Security captures the importance of human responsibility but can err toward insecurity and legalism. Covenantal Security bridges this divide, affirming God’s faithfulness and our free will without falling into extremes.

Ultimately, the message to Sardis reminds us that salvation is not static. It is not a one-time transaction but an ongoing relationship. Jesus calls the church to wake up and repent, showing that even those who are on the brink of losing everything can return to Him. This isn’t about living in fear but about taking seriously the incredible gift we’ve been given. Love requires both assurance and responsibility, and salvation is the ultimate expression of love.

Whatever view you hold—Eternal Security, Conditional Security, perhaps I have won you to Covenantal Security, or maybe you land somewhere in between these options—let’s agree on this: salvation is God’s work, and He invites us to participate in it. Let’s encourage each other to remain steadfast, abiding in the love and grace of the One who is faithful to the end.

Supernatural Instincts

Our natural instincts often feel like second nature—habits of thought, emotion, and action that seem to spring from within us effortlessly. But in Jude 1:19, we’re reminded of a sobering truth: living by these instincts alone is a hallmark of those who are “devoid of the Spirit.”

When we live solely by what feels natural, we’re living as though God’s Spirit has no say in our lives. We respond to insults with anger, hoard instead of give, and prioritize comfort over calling. These instincts come naturally because they’re the residue of a fallen world. Left unchecked, they lead to division, selfishness, and spiritual barrenness.

But for those of us who are in Christ, the Spirit is at work, transforming us from the inside out. This transformation is not instantaneous—it’s a lifelong process of replacing natural instincts with Spirit-led responses. Anger becomes patience. Fear gives way to trust. Selfishness shifts toward generosity, and pride dissolves into humility. This change isn’t about suppressing who we are but about becoming who we were created to be. When we listen to the Spirit and yield to His leading, He cultivates within us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, and more. These virtues are not natural—they’re supernatural, evidence of God’s work in our lives.

Take a moment to reflect: Do your responses to life’s challenges align more with natural instincts or with the Spirit’s guidance? The goal is not perfection but progression. As you continue to walk with Jesus, the Spirit works to align your heart with God’s, enabling you to live beyond instinct. This week, ask the Spirit to highlight one natural instinct that needs to be surrendered to His work. Pay attention to situations that trigger that instinct and pray for His strength to respond differently. Over time, you’ll notice the Spirit’s work replacing what’s natural with what’s holy.

Why Isn’t God More Obvious?

It’s a question that people have asked for centuries: If God exists, why isn’t He more obvious? We long for unmistakable signs—something dramatic to shake us out of doubt or unbelief. But this very demand for a sign is addressed by Jesus Himself in both Mark 8:11-13 and Matthew 16:1-4. When the Pharisees approached Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven to prove who He was, His response was blunt: “No sign will be given to you except the sign of Jonah.” Essentially, Jesus was saying that if they couldn’t see what was already in front of them, no further proof would change their minds.

Why, then, does Jesus reject the Pharisees’ request for a sign, and what does that say about us today? First, we have to understand that the Pharisees weren’t looking for evidence out of an earnest desire to believe. They had already seen countless miracles—healings, exorcisms, and even resurrections—but refused to acknowledge the significance of what was happening. The request for a sign wasn’t about seeking truth; it was a way to test or trap Jesus, hoping to discredit Him. Their hearts were hardened, and even the clearest revelation wouldn’t have softened them.

Jesus’ response was not an unwillingness to demonstrate His power but rather a statement that God’s work cannot be reduced to spectacle. He had already shown them who He was through His life and ministry, and yet they remained blind. This is why the “sign of Jonah”—a reference to His future resurrection—was the ultimate sign they would receive. If they couldn’t see the truth in His words and works, not even the resurrection would open their eyes.

This speaks directly to the question of why God isn’t more obvious. In many ways, He is obvious. The beauty and order of creation, the intricacy of the human conscience, the life and death of Jesus, and the power of Scripture are all profound revelations of God. But like the Pharisees, many of us demand something more, not because we lack evidence, but because we struggle with the implications of surrendering to that evidence. The desire for a more “obvious” God often stems from a reluctance to submit to Him.

The issue, then, is not God’s hiddenness but our willingness to see Him. We may claim to seek clarity, but the deeper question is whether we truly want to find Him. As Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to look past the everyday ways that God reveals Himself. We may not get the signs we think we need, but we have something better: the life of Christ, the testimony of Scripture, and the witness of transformed lives.

So, why isn’t God more obvious? Perhaps the better question is: Are we willing to see Him as He has revealed Himself? If we continually ask for more signs without acting on what we’ve already been given, we’re not so different from the Pharisees. And just as Jesus called them to repentance, He calls us to trust what has already been shown—the cross, the resurrection, and His ongoing work in the world.