Beginning Sunday, July 5th, and for three continuous Sundays, we will be considering the Book of Revelation in our worship services.   How difficult and confusing apocalyptical literature can be!    Yet, if we do our history lessons, and try as best we can to understand the times in which this literature was written, we can come a long way in gaining insight and renewed inspiration from this incredible Book.

Of course three Sunday sermons will not give us nearly enough time to unpack this book, and only allows us to scratch the surface.   Yet, even a scratching of the surface of this great work yields an awesome hope and wonderful assurance for the person who trusts in Jesus Christ.    Yes there is battle and blood and pain depicted in the apocalyptic imagery.    But, in the final analysis, Revelation assures us that God in Christ defeats Satan and evil and we may now experience that victory through his amazing grace!

Revelation was not written in order to hold threats of damnation before sinners, but to encourage Christians to press on, despite all opposition, despite all evil, and despite all the odds that would say give up and give in.  God through Christ has won the war!    There are some battles and skirmishes remaining for us, but we are already victorious in and through our Lord!   This then enables us and encourages us to live with hope in our daily faith walk.