We all have ideas about what heaven will be like. Will my cat be there? Will there be ice cream with no calories?
After rising from the dead and appearing to hundreds of people, Jesus returned to heaven and left us with this promise: Tell everyone about me because I'll be back to set things right forever. The book of Revelation is a description of what happens when Jesus returns.
John wrote Revelation while living in exile on an island called Patmos. Like most of the New Testament, Revelation started as a letter. It was sent to churches in Asia and believers everywhere to give people a better understanding of who Jesus is, to give hope to believers who were waiting for Jesus' return, and to warn those who were rebelling against God.
For some of us, we find the book of Esther to be a little out of place. For there is no mention of God; there is no mention of faith or worship; there seems to be nothing that makes this a religious text at all. Except, there is the invisible and invincible God of the universe working sovereignly to order every word and every action.
Joshua certainly understood the importance of family. As he came to the end of his life, he called the leaders of Israel together for one final message. Knowing that he is only one step from death, he sounds a call to renewal that begins with a recital of God’s blessings in the past (Joshua 24:1-13). Then he challenges the people to be faithful to God (24:14-27). In the middle of his message we find those stirring words that have been quoted and memorized for over 3000 years, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (24:15). In those words, and in the verses leading up to them, we are also challenged, and we must take up this challenge if we want our families to serve the Lord with us.
Paul wrote a very personal letter to his friend, Philemon. This is a letter urging grace and forgiveness, reconciliation and renewed relationship based upon Christ.
