as so often happens with misfortune, when things feel like they could not possibly get worse … they do
Revelation 8: The Power of Prayer
The tremendous power in the prayers of the holy ones was also revealed to John. You and I think of that power as reaching up to God and the Lord responding in divine might. But this time, John watched as these sacred prayers were thrown forcefully back to earth in a startling reversal of how prayer has ever been viewed.
Revelation 8: The Altar of Incense
There is something of a dream quality to John’s narration, as though he were himself enrapt in the incense.
Revelation 1: Significance of Seven
Seven represents all that is—the sum of the physical cosmos (the number four) and the spiritual realm (the number three). This was not unique to Judaism, but was also well-established in the Greco-Roman world.
Revelation: Over-Arching Story
Growing up, I did not realize good would triumph in the end. In my young life, it seemed clear evil was the stronger, and evil would prevail. Good would tragically die.