Author: Ron Moore

After this I looked and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1 HCSB

From time to time I have been invited to a sneak preview of an upcoming movie. These are movies that have a Christian message and because I am a minister, I have been invited to see the movie before it is released to the public. The people who made the movie are hoping that I will encourage people in my church to go see their production. It is always fun to receive a special invitation and feel as though I am getting special treatment.

John received special treatment. He was invited to come and see the throne room of heaven. The “after this” is referring to the messages to the seven churches. The “open door” mentioned here is not the door into the kingdom mentioned in Revelation 3:8 or the door into the heart mentioned in Revelation 3:20. This door was the door into the next part of heaven, the throne room of God.

Challenge: As believers, we will someday be invited to enter into the throne room of heaven. It is hard to imagine what that room will be like. It will be like nothing we have ever experienced. Thank God that because of Jesus paying the penalty for our sins that we will receive “special treatment” someday. The verses following this verse gives us a sneak preview of what heaven will be like.

The victor; I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God – the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God – and My new name. Revelation 3:12 HCSB

A person who is described as being a “pillar of the community” is someone who is usually a prominent member or supporter of a particular community. He is someone who is actively involved in the community and is an influencer in the what the community has done and is currently doing. Others look to him for consistent guidance and direction.

Those who are victors (believers in Jesus Christ) will be made pillars in the sanctuary of God. Of course this is symbolic just as symbolism is used throughout the book of Revelation. A structural pillar provides support for the building just as the pillar of the community provides support for the community. Similarly, the pillar in the sanctuary of God will be a prominent supporter of God’s community and will play an active and important role in the community of God.

Challenge: Are you a pillar in your community? Are you a positive influencer in your community? Someday you will be a pillar in God’s community. Pray that God will use you as an positive Christian example in your community today.

In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5 HCSB

I can remember when my children tried out for the dance team, the basketball team, or for a part in the drama at school. They would anxiously wait to get the definitive phone call or to see the list posted of those who “made it”. It was always a time of celebration and excitement when they made the list and conversely a time of disappointment when they did not make the team or get the part they wanted. Life is filled with wins and losses. Part of life is learning how to deal with the disappointments and how to celebrate graciously.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that we have “made” the list. There is no doubt. Jesus has promised to clothe His followers in white (a sign of righteousness and holiness) and to never erase their names from the Book of Life. The Book of Life symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs and does not belong to Him. All who are listed in the Book of Life are guaranteed they will join the hosts of heaven as belonging to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Challenge: Thank God that your name is in the Book of Life and that someday you will enjoy eternity in heaven.

The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end, I will give him authority over the nations – and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter, he will shatter them like pottery – just as I have received this from My Father. I will also give him the morning star. Revelation 2:26-28 HCSB

I am not an early riser. As a former student minister I am accustomed to staying up late and eating pizza. Recently on vacation I rose early and took a walk on the beach to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful to see the many different blues, pinks, and orange colors in the sky as the sun rose over the horizon. Right before dawn is usually the darkest and coldest time. That is when the morning star shines bright in the sky to show the way and bring light to a dark world.

In the same fashion, this world will be at its darkest and coldest hour when Jesus decides to return. Christ is called the morning star in Revelation 22:16. On that glorious day, the brightness of Christ will invade a very dark world. He will expose the darkness of sin. The light of love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness will dispel all darkness.

Challenge: As believers, we have Christ dwelling within us. We are the “morning star” to bring His light to a very dark world. His light should shine forth in our lives to light the way for others. His light will expose the evil of our world and will help us to stand for what is right and good. Listen to Steve Green sing “Morning Star” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGAIFuHYAfU

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it. Revelation 2:17 HCSB

My daughter took our grandson, who was born recently, to the doctor for his regular check-up. The doctor was concerned that he was not gaining weight as quickly as he should, so even though she was feeding him around the clock, he asked my daughter to begin feeding him more. My grandson needed more nourishment. With the extra feedings he gained four ounces in four days and was back on tract to gaining the weight that he should.

The “hidden manna” was spiritual nourishment for the faithful believers. As the Israelites made their way to the Promised Land, the Lord miraculously provided manna from heaven for their physical nourishment (see Exodus 16:13-18). Its source was hidden or unknown. In John 6:51 Jesus is proclaimed as the “bread of life”. This spiritual nourishment will satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger.

Challenge: Thank God for providing all that you need spiritually just as He provided for the physical needs of the Israelites.

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.” Revelation 2:7 HCSB

In Genesis there is the mention of two trees: the tree of life and the tree of knowledge (see Genesis 2:9). The tree of life provided eternal life. The tree of knowledge provided the knowledge of good and evil. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the the tree of knowledge, they were banned from the garden and from the tree of life. Through Christ, sin has been defeated and followers will be allowed to eat of the tree of life and receive eternal life with God in paradise.

In this verse in Revelation John speaks of a “tree of life” and reminds us of the great promise that as believers we have victory over sin and death. Someday we will all face the death of our earthly bodies. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior do not have to fear death because Jesus has promised those who believe in Him will live eternally in God’s paradise.

Challenge: God will eventually destroy all evil and bring all of His children into His paradise. Everyone will eat of the tree of life and live forever. Thank God for His wonderful gift of eternal life to those who profess His name.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 HCSB

Many people live for a paycheck each week. They get up and go to work each day just so they can make enough money to pay the bills each month. Some hope to have a little extra money to be able to go out to eat, play golf, or take a vacation. There is nothing wrong with making money and there are many good ways to spend the money, but sadly, for many that is all they are living for.

This verse reminds us that God is all we need. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord God is the beginning and the end. He is the ruler of the past, the present, and the future. Without Him we are nothing. Without Him we would not have life or any of the pleasures that we enjoy or even the money we earn at our jobs. Everything belongs to God since He is the creator. He is the only One who can forgive our sins and give us eternal life. As believers, the Lord is our reason for living. We live to honor and glorify the One who is, who was, and who is coming!

Challenge: What are you living for? Are you living for God’s glory and honor? Thank God for all that He has given to you. Ask Him to show you how you can better live your life to honor Him.

Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. And all the families of the earth will mourn over Him. This is certain. Amen. Revelation 1:7 HCSB

I can remember as a child when it was announced that the President of the United States was coming to town. Everyone was excited and anticipated his arrival. Decorations adorned the street where his motorcade would travel. My parents took me downtown so I could see the President when he rode by. I waited with my parents on the side of the street looking down the street in the direction that the presidential motorcade would travel. The moment arrived when we saw police on motorcycles and then there were some other cars but everyone’s attention was on the open convertible with the President. Everyone was cheering and waving as he passed by. I was more than excited to actually see the President in person.

As believers, we can look with anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures promise that Jesus will return someday to establish His kingdom that will last forever (See Matthew 24; Mark 13; and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). He will be coming in the clouds and everyone will be able to see Him and know that it is Jesus. “Those who pierced Him” could refer to the Roman soldiers who pierced His side with a spear while He hung on the cross to confirm that He was dead or it could refer to everyone’s sins that caused Jesus to suffer and die on the cross. All sinners are responsible for the death of Jesus. He died in our place. We deserve death but He did not because He was blameless.

Challenge: Thank God that His Son, Jesus, will someday return to the earth to establish His perfect kingdom. Look with anticipation to the coming of Jesus.

John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who was, and who is coming, from the seven spirits before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father – the glory and dominion are His forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:4-6 HCSB

I work as a Education and Administration Pastor. My role as the administrator calls for me act on behalf of the church in legal matters. I have signed contracts and loan papers as the authorized representative for the church.

In similar fashion, Jesus Christ is working for us, to present us blameless and spotless before God. The message is from God (the One who is, who was, and who is coming); the Holy Spirit (seven spirits before His throne); and from Jesus Christ to the seven churches. John declared that the message is reliable because it is not from him but from the Trinity (God the Father; Jesus Christ the Son; and the Holy Spirit).

Jesus is identified as the firstborn from the dead, but He is not the first to rise from the dead. The Bible records that prophets, apostles, and Jesus raised people from the dead. Those who were raised from the dead eventually died again but Jesus is the only person who has risen from the dead with an imperishable body (see 1 Corinthians 15:20). He is the first to truly conquer death. Therefore, we can be assured that He is able to give those who are His followers eternal life with imperishable bodies. He has set us free from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests. (see Exodus 19:6). This was an encouragement to the seven churches who were facing persecution.

Challenge: Jesus is constantly working for us. He wants only the best for us. We can look to Him for love and protection when we face trials, tribulation, and persecution for our beliefs.

The one who reads this is blessed and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near! Revelation 1:3 HCSB

Encyclopedia Britannica reports: “Religious leaders, scientists, and even a hen (or so it seemed) have been making predictions for the end of the world almost as long as the world has been around. They’ve predicted the destruction of the world through floods, fires, and comets.” Some of the failed doomsday predictions include: The Maya Apocalypse; Harold Camping; The True Way; Halley’s Comet Panic; The Prophet Hen of Leeds; and The Great Flood. The Bible tells us that no one knows the hour or time that Christ will return (Matthew 24:36).

When John says, “The time is near” he is conveying an urgency to act now rather than to delay. He is not trying to set a specific time table for the return of Christ and the end of the world. As Christians we do not have to worry about the future or the end of time. We can be confident and look forward to that day when we will be in heaven and will live forever in the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Challenge: Are you prepared for the end of time? We should all be prepared for the last judgment and establishment of God’s kingdom. We do not know the time, but we should live each day as if that day was the last day we had to live. There will be no second chance to make a decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.