Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Churches in the Roman Empire faced many pressures, from the insidious effects of false teaching and worldly temptations to outright persecution. Christians were sent to Roman arenas to die, some of the apostles were executed and John was exiled in an attempt to prevent him from spreading the gospel.
Believers across the world are facing the same kinds of pressures today. Perhaps there are times when we wonder what God is doing and whether the Church has a future but ‘the revelation of Jesus Christ’ (verse 1) is a huge encouragement for all those who are waiting for his return. It peels back the veil to show us the triune God at work and it’s packed full of assurances to cling to no matter what we must resist or patiently endure as his witnesses.
We’re urged to listen, trust and hold fast because ‘… the time is near’ (verse 3) and God’s plans to redeem and restore his creation will prevail. ‘Behold, he is coming …’ (verse 7), our saviour, judge and king, Jesus Christ. He ‘loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood’ and we belong to his everlasting kingdom (verse 6).
No matter how weak we may feel, we’re provided with an image of ‘one like a son of man’ standing in our midst (verse 13), ‘saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades”’ (verses 17b–18). In Christ we will have the victory.
Lord God, you are the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Help me to patiently endure suffering and remain your faithful witness, resisting false teaching and temptation. To you be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This reflection was written by Esther King, Digital Communications Officer at Bible Society
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