The Book of Revelation is a whole book dedicated to offering comfort to persecuted believers. It explains that Jesus and His Father see our tears (7:17; 21:4), hear our prayers (8:3, 4), value our sacrifices (14:13; 20:4), avenge our wrongs (6:9; 8:3), and assure our victory (15:2). A key word in the Book of Revelation is overcome (nikao). Of the twenty-eight times it is used in the New Testament, John used it twenty-four times—once in his Gospel account, six times in his epistles, and 17 times in Revelation (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 17:14; 21:7). An excellent one-line summary of Revelation is, “If you will overcome, then you may come over and live with God.” He has shown that He cares for you; have you shown that you care for Him (cf. Jn. 14:15)?

The Authority of Christ

Many heard Him preach and could not but approve of what they heard, yet would not give it any regard because it came from one who cut so small a figure and had no external advantages to recommend Him. Many today feel that He has no right to “tell them what to do.” Consider that the God

—who made the worlds
—who rules among the armies of heaven
—who hurled angels down to hell for disobedience
—whose voice shook the earth
—who holds the destinies of all the nations in His hand
—who “weighs the hills in a balance, and handles the isles as a very little thing”

said, “hear Him” (Mt. 17:5). Give Him audience, regard Him, bow to Him, follow Him, be guided by Him, honor and obey Him.  —adapted from Ben Franklin

My Lord is Everything

He is my water and my bread; He is my life, for I was dead;
He is my shepherd of lost sheep; He is my guardian while I sleep;
He is the truth, the living way; He is my light through every day;
He is my fortress and my rock; He is the door at which I knock;
He is my refuge for the storm; He is the love that keeps me warm;
He is the Word, revealing sin; He is the Saviour to all men;
He is the vine to which I cling; to me my Lord is everything! 

—Matilda Cloer

Knowing what we do about Christ, it is more amazing that He died than that He rose again.  —Mel Dahlstrom