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
The giants of church history dwarf us in true prayer…. What most separates them from us is that prayer was their priority; they devoted considerable time and energy to it.– Joel Beeke
Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him. It is the fruit of being a living branch of the True Vine.– J.C. Ryle
Suppose for a moment that you were allowed to enter heaven without holiness. What would you do? What possible enjoyment could you feel there? To which of all the saints would you join yourself, and by whose side would you sit down? Their pleasures are not your pleasures, their tastes not your tastes, their character not your character. How could you possibly be happy, if you had not been holy on earth?
– J.C. Ryle in Holiness
We must be holy:
– J.C. Ryle in Holiness
One reason your prayer life may be drooping is that you have neglected the Holy Scriptures. Prayer is a two-way conversation. We need to listen to God, not just talk to Him.– Joel Beeke
Brian J. Mikul 