The Unveiling
Culminating The Unveiling series, Mark examines the letter to the church in Laodicea. The letter reminding us that the gospel of Jesus is one that results in deep conviction, passion and zeal – it is life transforming. Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts, his presence wanting to some in to do this transforming work in us.
When we experience a loss of control, we can often turn to fear rather than God. Through the example of the letter to the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-23) we learn that when we find hope and strength in anyone or anything other than God, we open ourselves up to being bound to those who are in opposition God. Mark encourages us to return to God, to repent and persist in seeking his voice for the renewal of ourselves and His Church.
Today we unpack the reality of the battle between light and darkness. Through the letter to the church in Pergamum, we discover the significance of our lives, choices and daily behaviours that can help open or close the door to darkness or light. We ultimately discover the significance of the era we are in as we witness a tremendous transition from an earth cloaked in darkness to an earth bathed in light.
Continuing in Revelation 2 with the letter to Smyrna, a church experiencing pressure and persecution, Mark reminds us that we can faithfully walk in the way of Christ even in times of great pressure. With the promise of His presence we are transformed, through pressure, to carriers of His renewal.
This week Sarah continues our series on Revelation and explores the letter to the Ephesians. This is a potent and important letter that speaks to us in this moment and helps explain why God has us personally and collectively in a crucible of sorts. We discover that in the next season of the Church our doing will come out of our being.
Our current invitation, highlighted through Mark’s exploration of Revelation, is to heed the challenges of this time of transition in partnership with Jesus. Aligning our will with His, to see the Church thrive and the Kingdom of Heaven extended on earth.
Through the opening of the book of Revelation, Jesus is revealed as both imminent and transcendent. Mark reminds us that as we recognise Jesus in this tension, we see Him in His fullness, both as one who judges and one who saves – one who brings heaven down to earth.
Beginning a new sub-series, Mark establishes a context from which we can begin to understand the book of Revelation and the invitation it offers to see reality anew through Jesus.