Postcards from Patmos

Oppression from governmental forces. Enticement of decadent culture. Living under the shadow of death. Does this sound like 2021?

From imprisoned exile on the island of Patmos, John wrote the visionary letter we know as the book of Revelation to address these very issues facing the seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). This summer, we’ll spend seven weeks looking at the letters written by Jesus to these churches in Revelation 2-3 and see how the Spirit and the hope of the world to come meet us today, enabling us to respond to life’s challenges with supernatural grace.

Many are perplexed by the imagery of Revelation, but (as Dr. Vern Poythress says) the answer is simple: in the end, Jesus wins! Written to Christians suffering under intense Roman persecution and enduring the constant allure of the pagan culture, Revelation points us to unshakable hope and a better way to live.

The Romans had an “imperial cult,” worshipping Caesar as the divine savior of the world. You can see why Christianity was so subversive! It taught Jesus is the true Son of God. He is Lord and Savior of the world. He conquered the principalities and powers and now wields all authority. The message of Christianity was a direct affront to Caesar’s power claim and continues to challenge worldly powers today.

Further, to those who believed self-indulgence and the satisfaction of every craving was the only path to life, Christianity taught a radically different way to be human and find meaning. Following the resurrected Jesus on the path of suffering, finding in his promises the joy and hope that sustains, and experiencing a transformed life by the power of his Spirit, John encouraged his fellow believers to persevere in love and conquer sin to find true life.

As Revelation points us to Jesus, may we have ears to hear what the Spirit says to SLPC today!