God’s Love in Revelation

1 John 4:9, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”  Valentine’s Day is this week, and the entire world will be focused on this topic of love.  We will express our love by purchasing cards, chocolates, flowers, and going out for special dinners.  While these things are wonderful, let us also take time to remind ourselves that God is love (1 John 4:16), and He has perfectly demonstrated His love by sending His Son into this world.

As we journey through the book of Revelation, I hope you don’t miss the magnitude of God’s love in this book.  I’m confident that you will recognize the weight of His wrath as we study the heaviness of the seals, trumpets, and bowls of Revelation.  But I also want you to recognize the weight of His love.  Because of His love for you, Jesus Christ drank the full cup of God’s wrath so we could live through Him.  (Matthew 26:42). “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). 

The book of Revelation not only teaches us of the things to come, but the book also serves as a reminder of what we have been saved from.  God has spared us from His wrath because Jesus Christ has already received it for us.  So what is our response?  Love God.  Love people.  John writes, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11).  May we continue to be a church known for its love.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself this week.  “There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:31).

Ask for God to give you an opportunity to love someone in need this week.  Valentine’s Day can be difficult for many.  Some feel lonely, some are grieving, and some are just looking for hope.  May each of us be mindful of others and love them as Christ has loved us.  I look forward to seeing you in worship as we continue to see that our hope is on the throne.

Onward and upward,

Jonathan Spencer