• God sees what we’re really doing. This is both a challenge and a comfort to us.

• Satan’s goal is to incite infidelity by the threat of suffering and the thrill of seduction.

• The believers at Thyatira were living private lives of obedience but not taking a stand against someone leading God’s people astray.

• Sin may not seem destructive in the short term, and God is patient, but there will be a final reckoning. God will true things up.

• We cannot say we follow Jesus and also live in the world on our own terms.

• Our job is not to conquer all evil in the world. Our job is to hold fast and be faithful to the end.

Daniel 7:13–14

Revelation 1:13

Galatians 6

2 Peter 3:9

• For the believer, death is not the worst thing. The reality that Jesus has conquered death frees us to be faithful in all circumstances.

• Fear doesn’t get to make our decisions. Our biggest problem is sin, and that’s been solved by Jesus.

• Even when it looks like we are losing, if we remain faithful to God, we will be victorious.

• The church is called to reflect God, live richly for him, and work diligently to move sin out from among us.

• Those who remain faithful and committed to the end receive the reward of being with Jesus for all eternity.

John 19:11

John 18:10–11

Matthew 18

1 Corinthians 5

John 6

• John paints a picture of Jesus’ supreme power as well as his proximity to his people. Because he is both powerful and attuned, we need not fear.

• Jesus knows everything we think and do. This should bring us both comfort and conviction.

• The believers at Ephesus are encouraged for their hard work, discernment, and perseverance. Yet they are rebuked for losing their first love.

• If we resist the Spirit or become distracted, we can become spiritually deaf.

• God will reward our hard work and suffering. His plan is to draw us to himself and give us life.

Revelation 1:20

Genesis 3:8

1 Timothy 4:16

Matthew 4:4

• Scripture can be twisted by those seeking clarity on their own terms or through ignorance. We need humility and discipline to read God’s Word well.

• Revelation is primarily about the person of Jesus Christ and what God is doing in the world. We also get glimpses of things to come.

• Jesus is the Ruler of Kings. While it may look like earthly powers are in charge, we serve a King who is fully sovereign.

• We can trust Jesus through suffering because he suffered for us.

• Real power is subversive. Jesus expressed his power by being killed in a position of weakness. He defeated death with death.

• While Jesus holds all power in the universe and beyond, he looks on our weakness with compassion, moves towards us with comfort, and gives us purpose.

2 Peter 3:16

Exodus 3

1 Peter 2:17

Revelation 19