The Book of Revelation - Ending for a New Beginning

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” – Revelation 2:10

The book of Revelation was written to Christians enduring hardship, calling them to stand firm in faith despite persecution and uncertainty. While often misunderstood as a prediction of future events, Revelation is primarily a call to perseverance and hope, reminding believers that evil will not have the final word because God’s purposes will always prevail in the end.

The book is written by a man named John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith.  It is debated amongst scholars if this is John the Apostle or an early Christian prophet.  While on the island of Patmos, this John received visions that warned of the world’s dangers but always included a vision of hope for the future. Throughout the book, the struggle between Christ, the Lamb, and the forces of evil, represented by the beast, plays out again and again. Yet the message is clear: God is sovereign, and His people are called to remain faithful.

Revelation challenges us to resist false teachings, endure trials, and place our hope in God’s ultimate victory. The “apocalypse” it speaks of is not just about the future—it’s about the reality that Jesus has already transformed history.  The word “apocalypse” means a dramatic change in history, and John is compelling his readers to recognize the ways that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection marked an incredible change in the history of the world.  Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God’s kingdom has broken into the world and things will never be the same.

The message for us today? Remain faithful. Resist evil. Hold onto hope. The suffering and struggles of this world will not last forever. One day, God will make all things new. The New Jerusalem is coming.