Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 1:4-7.

 

“⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia:  Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, ⁵ 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— ⁶ and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.  ⁷ 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.”  Revelation 1:4-7.

 

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We are near the very beginning of the Book of Revelation, and today’s Scripture provides a fitting opening summary statement. 

 

First, we notice the contrast between “the seven churches” (the saved) and “the tribes of the earth” (the unsaved – the rest of the world).  Grace and peace go to “the seven churches”.  Reasons to mourn go to the “tribes of the earth”. 

 

Second, we notice the focus on Jesus Christ.  We read about Who Jesus is:  “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth”.  Verse 5.  We read about what Jesus did (and does):  “loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father”.  Verses 5 and 6.  We read about what Jesus will do:  “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him”.  Verses 7.

 

Third, we notice the broad purpose of the events in Revelation:  “to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”