John’s readers lived in a world (as we do) where evil was rampant and apparently all-powerful. Goodness was weak and frustrated and ineffectual. But John’s very first vision of heaven shows that these appearances are deceptive….God’s power and eternal being ensure that His holiness will triumph over all evil.
– Leon Morris on Revelation 4:8 in The Revelation of St. John (TNTC)
– William Hendriksen on Revelation 4 in More Than Conquerors
– G.K. Beale on Revelation 4 in Revelation: A Shorter Commentary
The word must is important. The concern of this book is not with things which simply will happen, as though the future were of absorbing interest in itself. It is rather taken up with things which must happen, the outworking of the divine will. God is in supreme control. John is not writing about matters of chance, but about events which will certainly occur, for they are part of the divine plan.
– Leon Morris on Revelation 4:1 in The Revelation of St. John (TNTC)
To whom do we live? Whose will must be done? Whose name must be honored? Do we target our lives on self-satisfaction or do we focus upon the will, the Word, and the glory of God?
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:18-29 in Revelation
When we indulge in worldly entertainments, worldly fashions, worldly materialism, and a worldly way of thinking, we are following the Thyatiran inclination to go beyond the borders of God’s Word and what conscience, based on that Word, allows.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:18-29 in Revelation
Christ does not consult our likes and preferences. He always knows what is going on, what to say, and how best to approach a church. That can be very comforting to those who cling to Him in faithfulness, but at the same time very disturbing for those who do not.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:18-29 in Revelation
The Lord Jesus has eyes that can burn through every conceivable façade and defense that we can devise to hide our true selves from others, eyes that penetrate right into our hearts. When his eyes are upon you, He sees right through you. He knows all things; nothing in my life is shielded from His gaze, even those things that I hide from myself. Nothing is hidden from Him.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:18-29 in Revelation
A ship at sea is where it was designed to be – in the water. But once water starts to get into the ship, if no action is taken, it is only a matter of time before the ship sinks. Although the ship is meant to be in the water, the water is not meant to be in the ship. As Christians, we are meant to be in the world, but the world must not be in us.
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:12-17 in Revelation
– Joel Beeke on Revelation 2:12-17 in Revelation
Brian J. Mikul 