Category Archives: Revelation

Hope and Confidence Confounds the Enemy

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Mark Shields

The Christians at Smyrna were being persecuted by pagan Gentiles, hostile Jews, and by Satan himself. Smyrna, a large city that reached metropolitan proportions during the period of the Roman Empire, was rebuilt by Alexander the Great. Since it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Revelation | Tagged Alexander the Great, Challenges, Christians, Confidence, Courage, Crown of Life, Enemy, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Purpose, Rewards, Roman Empire, Smyrna | 5 Comments

Devotion and Passion

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Mark Shields

The church in Ephesus worked hard and demonstrated perseverance but they had lost their passion. They needed to ask for forgiveness and get back that passion they had when they first formed the church. As we all think back to … Continue reading →

Posted in Desire, Revelation | Tagged Christ, Church, Church of Ephesus, Desire, Devotion, Forgiveness, Inspiration, Passion, Plans | 4 Comments

How is Love of Christ Demonstrated

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Mark Shields

The church in Ephesus is addressed in Revelation 2:1-7. The message to them from Christ is that their deeds, hard work, and perseverance are acknowledged and praised but they had abandoned their first love. They must correct this by asking … Continue reading →

Posted in Desire, Revelation | Tagged Christ, Church, Church of Ephesus, Devotion, Love, Passion, Purpose, Reward, Treasure, Witnessing | 2 Comments

Prayer and Preparation

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Mark Shields

John was in exile on the island of Patmos simply because of spreading the Gospel message. As mentioned in yesterday’s post, we may not face persecution like John but we do face many trials in life. That’s why it’s so … Continue reading →

Posted in Applied Faith, Revelation | Tagged Directions, Dream, exile, Gospel, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, John, Lessons, Love, Possibilities, Prayer, Scripture, Trials | 2 Comments

Vision Received

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Mark Shields

John describes himself as a brother and companion to those he is writing to in Revelation 1:9-20. He is writing to the seven churches while in exile on the island of Patmos; a small island in the Aegean Sea about … Continue reading →