"1 John 5, 2 & 3 John, Revelation 1-2"
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It's amazing that we're only a text message, email, or video call away from almost anyone in the world — including our coworkers, friends, and family. But up until a few decades ago, communication took a lot longer! Like something straight out of the stone age, once upon a time, we had to write letters — by hand — to stay in touch. We even have a pejorative name for it these days — snail mail! And in this week's readings, we'll reach into that old-fashioned first-century mailbag to read some powerful and personal letters from some important authors.
Letters From John
On Monday (1 John 5), John concludes his first letter, encouraging believers to keep God's commandments (1 John 5:3) and to believe in the Son of God, knowing our faith is our victory (1 John 5:4-5). John wrote this letter so that those who believe in the Son of God "may know" that they have eternal life (1 John 5:13). While we know we're of God, we also know that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). So we try to restore one another when we fall into sin (1 John 5:16-17).
On Tuesday (2 John), John writes to "the elect lady and her children" (2 John 1). He says to love one another (2 John 5-6) and warns of "deceivers" who say Jesus Christ didn't come in the flesh (2 John 7). To have Christ, we must stay within his teaching (2 John 9).
On Wednesday (3 John), he writes to Gaius, giving a snapshot into church life through two very different men: "Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first" (3 John 9) and Demetrius, who has "a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself" (3 John 12). We too must learn to distinguish between different influences, so that we will "not imitate evil but imitate good" (3 John 11).
- What have you learned from John's letters about truth, love, and obedience?
Letters From Jesus
On Thursday (Revelation 1), we begin the last book of the Bible, heading into the home stretch of our reading plan. The opening words provide some keys to the reader. It is a "revelation," or uncovering, of events that John said "must soon take place" (Rev. 1:1). While the end of the book will reveal some final events (Rev. 20-22), most of Revelation revolves around historical events the Christians of John's time needed to understand. We can learn a lot for our time as well, as we endure trials and place our hope in the One "who is and who was and who is to come" (Rev. 1:8).
The chapter closes with a picture of Jesus in all his fierce might and glory. He wants John to write a message to the "angels" of seven churches, whose "lampstands" surround Christ (Rev. 1:20; cf. 2:1).
On Friday (Revelation 2), we read Jesus' letters to four churches in Asia:
- Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7), a church who stood firm against false teaching but lost their passion and love for the Lord.
- Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11), a church that was faithfully dedicated to suffering and standing for the truth despite their deep poverty.
- Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17), a church who didn't deny their faith but harbored those who promoted immorality and lies.
- Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29), a church full of love and service, but where a woman named Jezebel was encouraging sexual immorality.
In all the letters, we see that Jesus knows what they're going through and what they're doing (e.g., Rev. 2:2).
- What encouragement can you take from seeing how much Christ knows and cares about their struggles and victories?
