A "compliment sandwich" - criticism layered between two compliments. To these 2 churches, Jesus says, "You have refused to deny me," and "I see your patient endurance." Ok, well done. But then, Jesus gets right to it. "And yet I have a few complaints about you." Jesus was bringing to light all the ways some in these churches were missing the mark... tolerating sin, idolatry and evil deeds. Those who weren't? "Hold on tightly until I come back", he says.

Imagine being a mail carrier... good 'ol USPS. Blue shorts (no matter the weather) and sturdy black shoes. You have a very important letter to deliver that contains an urgent message for some folks that don't yet know they need it. But forget going house to house or even street to street... you are walking 40-50 miles to deliver this letter. Oh, and then go do that 6 more times. What could possibly be so important?

We look forward to worshipping with you!

αποκάλυψη (apokálypsi) - apocalypse; the revealing of something previously hidden.

We are diving into the book of Revelation - what it is and what it definitely is not - and what a wild ride it's going to be! Imagine John, having seen the entirety of what was to come, being tasked with communicating it all. Sometimes, that old phrase aptly suits... "You just had to be there."