Read Revelation 1:4b-8

Wednesday

Read Revelation 1:4b-8

4 From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne, ⁵and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world.

He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins ⁶and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

7 Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!

8 “I am the first and the last,” says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

Think

St John is writing from prison on the island of Patmos. Against hopelessness he remembers that Jesus is, was and will be.  He hopes for Jesus' return, encourages his churches to press on despite the adversities that they face.

Pray

Verses 5 and 6 remind us that we are freed by Jesus' blood to be a kingdom, 'priests'.  Priests in the Old Testament mediated God's presence to the world, reconciled people to God.  Lord help us to represent you in our homes, places of work, schools and lives today.