We finish out with a few letter from John, a few from Peter, one from Jude, and a final vision given to John from Jesus himself. There is a consistent theme of finishing well and remaining faithful in the face of false teachers and love of the world. I can’t think of a more fitting exhortation for us than a call to perseverance and faithfulness as we conclude this year and look toward a new year. May 2022 be a year of deeper commitment and whole-hearted discipleship to Jesus. Further up and deeper in – now and forever.
**Note: I’ve modified the Tuesday and Wednesday readings to fit them into seven days (because there were actually 8 readings on this week’s lineup).**
This is Paul’s final “pastoral letter” to his protégé and mentee, Timothy. Paul writes this letter in the face of imminent death. It is one of Paul’s most tender letters, filled with words of affirmation and encouragement. Paul wants Timothy to remember his inheritance of faith and know how to live faithfully in light of the gospel. He wants Timothy to be clear-eyed about the difficulties ahead with full-confidence in the Scripture’s relevance for teaching, reproof, and correction. Finally, Paul requests Timothy’s presence as even those nearest him have fallen prey to the love of the world or have been sent on mission to deliver more letters. Even still, Paul rests in the Lord’s nearness to him – a sure and steadfast comfort in the midst of affliction.
These two letters intend to weed out heresy. Based on the introduction, 2 Peter is to Gentiles who have “obtained a faith of equal standing.” Peter, apparently, learned his lesson from the encounter with Cornelius in Acts 10. In light of their equal standing, Peter begins by reminding them of the precious and great promises they have received and the appropriate conduct which results from such a great salvation of which Peter and the apostles were eyewitnesses (unlike the false teachers of chapter 2). Though these heretics question the Lord’s second coming, believers can be sure that the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promises. He has done everything well in his own time. While we wait, though, we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. In the same way, Jude also warns of false teachers with rich imagery. They are hidden reefs, waterless clouds, fruitless trees in late autumn, wandering stars. They are unreliable witnesses. But, believers must not be surprised because the apostles warned of scoffers and disbelief in the last days. True believers persevere in faithfulness until the Lord’s coming – trusting that he who saved us will keep us from stumbling.
If we’ve been careful readers of John’s gospel, we will not be surprised about the content of John’s letters. In 1 John, he reminds his audience about the Word (cf. John 1), Jesus Christ, who is our advocate (cf. John 14), and about the new commandment believers follow (cf. John 13:34). Because God so loved the world, those who are being shaped into his image live in and from the love of God for the good of our neighbors. In so doing, we overcome the world by the love of God in Christ (cf. John 14). In 2 John, there is yet more encouragement to walk in love and abide in Christ (cf. John 15). In 3 John, he encourages Gaius and the believers to imitate good thereby becoming an imitator of God.
Revelation is the last book of the Bible and one of the most difficult for us to understand because it is comprised of three different genres: letter, prophecy, and apocalypse. But it wasn’t supposed to be confusing. It was intended to be an encouragement to first-century believers by giving them a glimpse behind the curtain of reality to show what’s actually happening in heaven right now. Jesus Christ, risen and glorified, knows our situations and our struggles, but is on the throne ruling and reigning. The whole book anchors around the throne room vision of chapters 4-5. If you’re ever lost or confused – you can come back to these chapters to find hope and clarity knowing the Triune God is sovereignly reigning.
As we enter into the challenging parts of Revelation, I’d encourage you not to get too lost in the details. Instead, it will be helpful to think in broad sweeping strokes. As one scholar said, “Revelation is in its most basic sense a retelling of this story of Jesus in a new way and with new images.” Really, in Rev. 4-11, Jesus is the Lamb. Much of our reading can relate back to the death of Christ and its results – both in judgment on the enemies of the Lamb and in salvation for those who trust in the Lamb. After seven seals and seven trumpets, the heavenly temple was opened and the ark of the covenant (the very dwelling place of God) was open to all because of the Lamb’s sacrifice.
In Revelation 12-18, it might be helpful to think of Jesus as the Warrior-King in the retelling of his story. Chapter 12 is a parable of a woman who gave birth to a male child who will rule the world. This child was caught up to the throne and the woman (perhaps the church?) fled to the wilderness to be nourished until the Warrior-King returns to throw down the dragon and his two beasts along with the empires (Babylon stands in as representative of these empires) who worship the beasts by pouring out seven bowls of wrath on them.
In these chapters, it might be helpful to consider Jesus as the Bridegroom in this retelling of the gospel. All that has come before led to this. The “prostitute” Babylon has been thrown down and no threat remains to the Bride of Christ (the Church). Now all may come to the marriage supper of the Lamb knowing that all who threatened the church have been trampled down once and for all. When this is accomplished according to plan, then will emerge a renewed and restored heaven and earth from which all sin and death has been expelled. Now, the Triune God in all his transcendent glory gives light and life to all who conquered by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Revelation concludes with a reminder that Jesus himself said he is coming soon. Therefore, let us be found faithful at his coming.