The essential thing about a priest is that he mediates. He speaks to God on behalf of men and to men on behalf of God. Believers are assigned this responsible task by their God. They are to pray to God for the world. And they are to witness to the world of what God has done.
– Leon Morris on Revelation 1:6 in The Revelation of St. John (TNTC)
Are you living like you belong to the kingdom of Jesus? Does your life attest that dominion belongs to Jesus? Do you live like he is your Lord? Is he Lord over your Internet usage? Is he Lord over your money? Is he Lord over your ambitions for your children? Is he Lord over your conversations?
– James Hamilton on Revelation 1:6 in Revelation (PTW)
In spite of the persecution and suffering that the saints are enduring, John wants them to know that they already inhabit a high position with Christ before God. The world is now in seeming control, but Christ has already entered the world and as a result of his “love” has “freed” them from the burdens of their sins and made them part of his kingdom, in which they are both royalty and priests.
– Grant Osborne on Revelation 1:5-6 in Revelation (BECNT)
Death is the tyrant that threatens all creation with irreplaceable loss and ultimate meaninglessness. But the One who brings this prophecy has dealt with death and rendered death helpless by becoming the firstborn from the dead.
– Paige Patterson on Revelation 1:5 in Revelation (NAC)
Point your whole life toward that glorious consummation, and let everything you do between now and then be informed by that moment when Jesus will come. Live for him now so that you will enjoy him then. Meditate on these texts until the blazing purity of the Lord Jesus is more desirable to you than the filthy pleasures that are nothing more than twisted parodies of his good gifts. And do everything you can to make sure that your day-to-day activities are done in a way that honors the King.
– James M. Hamilton Jr. in Revelation
One of the main goals of the book, therefore, is to exhort believers to remain faithful to Christ in spite of present sufferings and in spite of the temptations to engage in idolatry represented by compromise with the world-system, because this faithfulness will eventually be rewarded in the heavenly kingdom.
– G.K. Beale in Revelation
Nothing is more refreshing to the soul (except communication with God himself), than the company and society of a friend.– Esther Edwards Burr
One of the blessings of Christian friendship is to encourage each other to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and the coming of His kingdom.– Joel Beeke and Michael Haykin
in How Should We Develop Biblical Friendship?
– Joel Beeke in Revelation
The goal of Revelation is to bring encouragement to believers of all ages that God is working out His purposes even in the midst of tragedy, suffering, and apparent Satanic domination. It is the Bible’s battle cry of victory, for in it, more than anywhere else in the NT, is revealed the final victory of God over all the forces of evil. As such, it is an encouragement to God’s people to persevere in the assurance that their final reward is certain and to worship and glorify God despite trials and despite temptations to march to the world’s drumbeat.
– G.K. Beale in Revelation
Brian J. Mikul 