Greeting 1 1 From Jude, a servant of Yeshua Christ and brother of James.

To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father, and who are kept safe for Yeshua Christ.

2 May mercy, peace, and love fill your lives!

Warnings about False Teachers 3 Dear friends, I had intended to write to you about the salvation we share. But something has come up. It demands that I write to you and encourage you to continue your fight for the Christian faith that was entrusted to God's holy people once for all time.

4 Some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. Not long ago they were condemned in writing for the following reason: They are people to whom God means nothing. They use God's kindnessa as an excuse for sexual freedom and deny our only Master and Lord, Yeshua Christ.

5 I want to remind you about what you already know: The Lord once saved his people from Egypt. But on another occasion he destroyed those who didn't believe. 6 He held angels for judgment on the great day. They were held in darkness, bound by eternal chains. These are the angels who didn't keep their position of authority but abandoned their assigned place. 7 What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities near them is an example for us of the punishment of eternal fire. The people of these cities suffered the same fate that God's people and the angels did, because they committed sexual sins and engaged in homosexual activities.

8 Yet, in a similar way, the people who slipped in among you are dreamers. They contaminate their bodies with sin, reject the Lord's authority, and insult his glory. 9 When the archangel Michael argued with the devil, they were arguing over the body of Moses. But Michael didn't dare to hand down a judgment against the devil. Instead, Michael said, "May the Lord reprimand you!"

10 Whatever these people don't understand, they insult. Like animals, which are creatures of instinct, they use whatever they know to destroy themselves. 11 How horrible it will be for them! They have followed the path of Cain. They have rushed into Balaam's error to make a profit. They have rebelled like Korah and destroyed themselves.

12 These people are a disgrace at the special meals you share with other believers. They eat with you and don't feel ashamed. They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are dry clouds blown around by the winds. They are withered, uprooted trees without any fruit. As a result, they have died twice. 13 Their shame is like the foam on the wild waves of the sea. They are wandering stars for whom gloomy darkness is kept forever.

14 Furthermore, Enoch, from the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about them. He said, "The Lord has come with countless thousands of his holy angels. 15 He has come to judge all these people. He has come to convict all these ungodly sinners for all the ungodly things they have done and all the harsh things they have said about him."

16 These people complain, find fault, follow their own desires, say arrogant things, and flatter people in order to take advantage of them.

17 Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Yeshua Christ told you to expect: 18 "In the last times people who ridicule God will appear. They will follow their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the people who cause divisions. They are concerned about physical things, not spiritual things.

Final Advice 20 Dear friends, use your most holy faith to grow. Pray with the Holy Spirit's help. 21 Remain in God's love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua Christ to give you eternal life.

22 Show mercy to those who have doubts. 23 Save others by snatching them from the fire of hell. Show mercy to others, even though you are afraid that you might be stained by their sinful lives.

24 God can guard you so that you don't fall and so that you can be full of joy as you stand in his glorious presence without fault. 25 Before time began, now, and for eternity glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to the only God, our Savior, through Yeshua Christ our Lord. Amen.

a 4 Or "grace."

Introduction to REVELATION.

Revelation was never intended to be a scary book. Yes, it describes grotesque beasts and plagues and the mysterious number 666. Yes, billions of dollars have been made by publishers and moviemakers who misunderstand the book and turn it into horror stories. But Revelation was written to give people hope.

Its author, John, had been exiled to the island of Patmos because of his Christian faith. Domitian, the Roman emperor, was enforcing observance of the imperial cult, and Christians everywhere were fearful. Suddenly John had a series of visions that bolstered his confidence. He wrote them down and sent them to his home church in Ephesus along with six neighboring churches, because he wanted his fellow Christians to know "the things that must happen soon" (1:1). John was not talking about terrifying future events-the present situation was frightening enough. Instead, he was announcing the imminent rescue of God's people. Jesus would soon return (22:12).

Revelation is a book about God, a "revelation of Yeshua Christ" (1:1). Repeatedly John assures his readers that God is in control of everything past, present, and future. Jesus-who died for his faith, just as some of his readers may do-lives eternally and has power over death and hell (1:17-18). We have absolutely nothing to fear, because Jesus is on our side. He "loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" (1:5). He is knocking at our heart's door, waiting for us to invite him in (3:20). He is like a slaughtered lamb (5:5-6) and a gentle shepherd (7:17). He offers protection and nourishment, and he wipes away tears (7:16-17). He abolishes death, grief, crying, and pain (21:4). He is coming soon to reward those who are suffering now (22:12).

What about all those terrifying visions in the middle of the book? They show what has been happening all along behind the scenes. Like Daniel in the Old Testament, Revelation is an apocalypse-an unveiling of hidden realities. Babylon (a code word for Rome, to get the book past the censors) is corrupt, full of demons and evil spirits (18:1-3). But God has already won the war between good and evil, even though battles continue to rage. Revelation assures us that our suffering will soon end, because "The Lord our God, the Almighty, has become king. Let us rejoice, be happy, and give him glory" (19:6-7).

Key Names of God in Revelation Spirit Word Bright Morning Star Alpha and Omega Son of Man Lion of the Tribe of Judah Son of God Father Lamb Shepherd Messiah, Christ Lord Bridegroom King of Kings REVELATION.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20.

21 22.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Seven Churches 1 1 This is the revelation of Yeshua Christ. God gave it to him to show his servants the things that must happen soon. He sent this revelation through his angel to his servant John. 2 John testified about what he saw: God's word and the testimony about Yeshua Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads, as well as those who hear the words of this prophecy and pay attention to what is written in it because the time is near.

4 From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Good willa and peace to you from the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, from the seven spirits who are in front of his throne, 5 and from Yeshua Christ, the witness, the trustworthy one, the first to come back to life, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. Glory and power forever and everb belong to the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and has made us a kingdom, priests for God his Father. Amen.

7 Look! He is coming in the clouds.

Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.

Every tribe on earth will mourn because of him.

This is true. Amen.

8 "I am the A and the Z,c says the Lord God, the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, the Almighty.

9 I am John, your brother. I share your suffering, ruling, and endurance because of Yeshua. I was exiled on the island of Patmos because of God's word and the testimony about Yeshua . 10 I came under the Spirit's power on the Lord's day. I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet, 11 saying, "Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

12 I turned toward the voice which was talking to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lamp stands. 13 There was someone like the Son of Man among the lamp stands. He was wearing a robe that reached his feet. He wore a gold belt around his waist. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool-like snow. His eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like glowing bronze refined in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of raging waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines in all its brightness.

17 When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. Then he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last, 18 the living one. I was dead, but now I am alive forever. I have the keys of death and hell. 19 Therefore, write down what you have seen, what is, and what is going to happen after these things. 20 The hidden meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches.

A Letter to the Church in Ephesus 2 1 "To the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write: The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says: 2 I know what you have done-how hard you have worked and how you have endured. I also know that you cannot tolerate wicked people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not apostles. You have discovered that they are liars. 3 You have endured, suffered trouble because of my name, and have not grown weary. 4 However, I have this against you: The love you had at first is gone. 5 Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don't change. 6 But you have this in your favor-you hate what the Nicolaitans are doing. I also hate what they're doing.

7 "Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the privilege of eating from the tree of life, which stands in the paradise of God, to everyone who wins the victory.

A Letter to the Church in Smyrna 8 "To the messenger of the church in Smyrna, write: The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says: 9 I know how you are suffering, how poor you are-but you are rich. I also know that those who claim to be Jews slander you. They are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Don't be afraid of what you are going to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Your suffering will go on for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Everyone who wins the victory will never be hurt by the second death.

A Letter to the Church in Pergamum 12 "To the messenger of the church in Pergamum, write: The one who holds the sharp two-edged sword says: 13 I know where you live. Satan's throne is there. You hold on to my name and have not denied your belief in me, even in the days of Antipas. He was my faithful witness who was killed in your presence, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: You have among you those who follow what Balaam taught Balak. Balak trapped the people of Israel by encouraging them to eat food sacrificed to idols and to sin sexually. 15 You also have some who follow what the Nicolaitans teach. 16 So return to me and change the way you think and act, or I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword from my mouth.

17 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give each person a white stone with a new name written on it, a name that is known only to the person who receives it.

A Letter to the Church in Thyatira 18 "To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write: The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says: 19 I know what you do. I know your love, faith, service, and endurance. I also know that what you are doing now is greater than what you did at first. 20 But I have something against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. She teaches and misleads my servants to sin sexually and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to turn to me and change the way she thinks and acts, but she refuses to turn away from her sexual sins. 22 Watch me! I'm going to throw her into a sickbed. Those who commit sexual sins with her will also suffer a lot, unless they turn away from what she is doing. 23 I will kill her children. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done. 24 But the rest of you in Thyatira-all who don't hold on to Jezebel's teaching, who haven't learned what are called the deep things of Satan-I won't burden you with anything else. 25 Just hold on to what you have until I come.

26 I have received authority from my Father.a I will give authority over the nations to everyone who wins the victory and continues to do what I want until the end. 27 Those people will rule the nations with iron scepters and shatter them like pottery. 28 I will also give them the morning star. 29 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

ALPHA AND OMEGA, FIRST AND LAST.

The title "Alpha and Omega" or Alpha Kai Omega occurs only three times in the Bible, and all three are in the book of Revelation. Because Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, Revelation 22:13 could be paraphrased: "I am the A and the Z, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." These verses in Revelation probably allude to passages in Isaiah in which God identifies himself as being both the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12). The Hebrew words Rishon (ree-SHONE) and Acharon (ah-cha-RONE) translate "first" and "last."

Present at the world's beginning, Jesus will also be present at its end, when he and his work are finally and fully revealed. When you pray to Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, you are praying to the one who is, who was, and who is to come. He is our all-sufficient Lord, who will not fail to complete the good work he has begun in us.

Praying to the Alpha and Omega One of my children's favorite books was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Maybe you remember this alphabet book with an attitude, which begins with the line, "A told B and B told C,'I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.'" As this lyrical story continues, all the little lowercase letters scramble up the coconut tree only to overload it and then come tumbling down. Fortunately, the uppercase letters rush to the rescue, picking up their little ones and then dusting them off so that the whole chaotic scene can begin again. Amazing what a lively and memorable story can be constructed with only twenty-six letters.

What does a children's book have to do with Jesus' title as the Alpha and the Omega? Think about it like this. You probably know that the word alphabet is formed from "alpha" and "beta," the first two letters of the Greek alphabet. Could it be that when Jesus calls himself the "Alpha and Omega," the first and last letters of the alphabet, he is implying that he is not just the first and the last but all the letters in between?

Now think about what you do with letters. You communicate. You tell stories. Through the story of his life and death, Jesus is the only one who perfectly communicates the love of God, revealing who God is and what his intentions are. As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus is still alive, still writing the story, using our own small stories to advance the overarching story of God's redemption.

Remember what Jesus has said to you. Cherish his words. Base your life on them. If you do, the message that Paul spoke to the Corinthian Christians will apply to you as well: "You're our letter of recommendation written in our hearts that everyone knows and reads. It's clear that you are Christ's letter, written as a result of our ministry. You are a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, a letter written not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End of everything that matters. Plant your word within my heart, bringing it to life through the power of your Spirit. Make me a letter, advancing your message as I live out my life for you.

Promises Associated with the Name ALPHA AND OMEGA, FIRST AND LAST.

This is what Yahweh says: I am the first and the last, and there is no Elohim except me. (Isaiah 44:6) Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. Every tribe on earth will mourn because of him. This is true. Amen. "I am the A and the Z," says the Lord God, the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:7-8)

A Letter to the Church in Sardis 3 1 "To the messenger of the church in Sardis, write: The one who has God's seven spirits and the seven stars says: I know what you have done. You are known for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Be alert, and strengthen the things that are left which are about to die. I have found that what you are doing has not been completed in the sight of my God. 3 So remember what you received and heard. Obey, and change the way you think and act. If you're not alert, I'll come like a thief. You don't know when I will come. 4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have kept their clothes clean. They will walk with me in white clothes because they deserve it.

5 Everyone who wins the victory this way will wear white clothes. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge them in the presence of my Father and his angels. 6 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

A Letter to the Church in Philadelphia 7 "To the messenger of the church in Philadelphia, write: The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door that no one can shut, and who shuts a door that no one can open, says: 8 I know what you have done. See, I have opened a door in front of you that no one can shut. You only have a little strength, but you have paid attention to my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are in Satan's synagogue come and bow at your feet and realize that I have loved you. They claim that they are Jewish, but they are lying. 10 Because you have obeyed my command to endure, I will keep you safe during the time of testing which is coming to the whole world to test those living on earth. 11 I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your crown.

12 I will make everyone who wins the victory a pillar in the temple of my God. They will never leave it again. I will write on them the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from my God), and my new name. 13 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

A Letter to the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: The amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the source of God's creation, says: 15 I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I'm rich. I'm wealthy.

I don't need anything.' Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I advise you: Buy gold purified in fire from me so that you may be rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them so that you may keep your shameful, naked body from showing. Buy ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. 20 Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together.

21 I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

A Vision of God's Throne in Heaven 4 1 After these things I saw a door standing open in heaven. I heard the first voice like a trumpet speaking to me. It said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this."

2 Instantly, I came under the Spirit's power. I saw a throne in heaven, and someone was sitting on it. 3 The one sitting there looked like gray quartz and red quartz. There was a rainbow around the throne which looked like an emerald.

4 Around that throne were 24 other thrones, and on these thrones sat 24 leaders wearing white clothes. They had gold crowns on their heads. 5 Lightning, noise, and thunder came from the throne. Seven flaming torches were burning in front of the throne. These are the seven spirits of God.

6 In front of the throne, there was something like a sea of glass as clear as crystal. In the center near the throne and around the throne were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like a young bull, the third had a face like a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and were covered with eyes, inside and out. Without stopping day or night they were singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming."

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, to the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the 24 leaders bow in front of the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They place their crowns in front of the throne and say, 11 "Our Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power because you created everything.

Everything came into existence and was created because of your will."

The Lamb Takes the Scroll That Has Seven Seals 5 1 I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. It had writing both on the inside and on the outside. It was sealed with seven seals. 2 I saw a powerful angel calling out in a loud voice, "Who deserves to open the scroll and break the seals on it?" 3 No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it. 4 I cried bitterly because no one was found who deserved to open the scroll or look inside it.

5 Then one of the leaders said to me, "Stop crying! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory. He can open the scroll and the seven seals on it."

6 I saw a lamb standing in the center near the throne with the four living creatures and the leaders. The lamb looked like he had been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent all over the world. 7 He took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne.

8 When the lamb had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 leaders bowed in front of him. Each held a harp and a gold bowl full of incense, the prayers of God's holy people. 9 Then they sang a new song, "You deserve to take the scroll and open the seals on it, because you were slaughtered.

You bought people with your blood to be God's own.

They are from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

10 You made them a kingdom and priests for our God.

They will rule as kings on the earth."

11 Then I heard the voices of many angels, the four living creatures, and the leaders surrounding the throne. They numbered ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands times thousands. 12 In a loud voice they were singing, "The lamb who was slain deserves to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise."

13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea. Every creature in those places was singing, "To the one who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise, honor, glory, and power forever and ever."

14 The four living creatures said, "Amen!" Then the leaders bowed and worshiped.

The Lamb Opens the First Six Seals 6 1 I watched as the lamb opened the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Go!" 2 Then I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown and rode off as a warrior to win battles.

3 When the lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Go!" 4 A second horse went out. It was fiery red. Its rider was given the power to take peace away from the earth and to make people slaughter one another. So he was given a large sword.

5 When the lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Go!" I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale. 6 I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's pay or three quarts of barley for a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil and the wine."

7 When the lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Go!" 8 I looked, and there was a pale horse, and its rider's name was Death. Hell followed him. They were given power over one-fourth of the earth to kill people using wars, famines, plagues, and the wild animals on the earth.

9 When the lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of God's word and the testimony they had given about him. 10 They cried out in a loud voice, "Holy and true Master, how long before you judge and take revenge on those living on earth who shed our blood?" 11 Each of the souls was given a white robe. They were told to rest a little longer until all their coworkers, the other Christians, would be killed as they had been killed.

12 I watched as the lamb opened the sixth seal. A powerful earthquake struck. The sun turned as black as sackcloth made of hair. The full moon turned as red as blood. 13 The stars fell from the sky to the earth like figs dropping from a fig tree when it is shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll being rolled up. Every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and all the slaves and free people hid themselves in caves and among the rocks in the mountains. 16 They said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the anger of the lamb, 17 because the frightening day of their anger has come, and who is able to endure it?"

144,000 People Are Sealed 7 1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth. They were holding back the four winds of the earth to keep them from blowing on the land, the sea, or any tree. 2 I saw another angel coming from the east with the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been allowed to harm the land and sea, 3 "Don't harm the land, the sea, or the trees until we have put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."