Tag: John Railton

It’s (Always) A Great Day to Read About the 2nd Advent of the Son of God!

Revelation 1-3

Devotion by John Railton (IN)

Merry Christmas to all. This is the season to remember and celebrate the birth, the advent, the first coming of Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of the living God! It’s fitting that we today begin reading and pondering the last book of the Bible, Revelation. This is the book that reveals amazing things about the second advent, the return of Jesus to this earth to establish the perfect age, the kingdom of God. This is a book of revelations, though at times it’s challenging, seems mysterious, difficult to understand and apply. In these first three chapters we find John’s opening comments, identification of the source and succession of the word and testimony he’s passing on, and then a letter from the Lord himself to seven churches in Asia Minor. The general flow of the letters is commendation of the church, any complaint that may need to be addressed, and the correction that’s then necessary. Anytime the Lord indicates a complaint, or really anytime anyone indicates a complaint against us, the hope and goal is always correction. We all have flaws, and should always seek to grow, to improve, to walk in truth, obedience, and love, as John stressed in the postcards we pondered the last couple days.      

We’ll begin here with the introduction the author, the Apostle John shared. “The revelation of Jesus Christ. which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw – that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Note that there’s a blessing for those who read, hear, and take to heart these words, whether we quickly understand it or not. It’s good to be familiar with it. Understanding will come as events unfold, if we’re familiar with the writings.   

1:7 specifically makes reference to Jesus’ return, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him!”  This is a sure thing. Jesus is coming. I hope to see him with joy in my heart, rather than mourning that I’m not ready, not a believer, not prepared, not all in!  

The rest of these first three chapters include letters the Lord sent to seven specific churches, with specific commendation, complaints, and correction. Read them devotionally, and with application. In other words, ponder such commendation, complaint, and correction. Do any of these apply to you? To your church? In fact, you might write a letter, as though from Jesus to you. What would he say? What would he commend? What complaints would he have? What corrections would he expect? How would you respond? Would you do as he says?      

Reflection Questions

  1. What are your thoughts and feelings about the book of Revelation? What do you think God wants us to think and feel about the book? Why was the book as a whole given to Christians?
  2. How often do you think of Jesus’ return? How do you imagine you will respond when he does return? If you are celebrating Christmas today (and also, if you are not), how can you remember and share the words of Revelation and the great hope of the 2nd Coming of Christ the Messiah, the Son of God?
  3. How do you typically give or receive complaints? Work through the great questions from John in the last paragraph above. And spend some time with God in prayer with the Son of God interceding on your behalf.
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Walking in Truth. Walking in Obedience. Walking in Love.

2 & 3 John

Devotion by John Railton (IN)

II and III John are certainly the shortest of the Apostle John’s writings, often called letters, but perhaps more accurately referred to as postcards. Though they are short, they each pack a lot of applicable teaching, even for us today. John doesn’t name anyone in particular in II John, referring to himself as the elder, and to his recipients as the chosen lady and her children. Some have thought this may be because of ongoing persecution at the time, and not wanting to put a target on anyone’s back. On the other hand, he does address III John specifically to his dear friend Gaius.     

John uses the word truth around 55 times in the five writings attributed to him, depending on the version you use. That would suggest God wanted John to give a great deal of emphasis to truth! Jesus also had placed a great deal of emphasis on truth. I’m convinced that we should value truth as did Jesus and the Apostle John. In II John verse 2 he refers to “the truth which lives in us and will be with us forever.”  Our methods and ways have certainly changed over the ages, but the truth will never change. We must never allow the truth to be watered down or perverted in any way. There will always be varying opinions and ideas as to what the Bible says here or there, but the good news of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus is the glue that holds the Church of God together. That is the gospel we preach.   

Walk this way! John reminds us in II John of three essential ways that we are to walk. He had great joy in V. 4 because he had heard of those who were walking in truth. Then in V. 6 he expects that we would walk in obedience to the Father’s commands. Later in V. 6 he reminds us of the command to walk in love. As we age, our gait sometimes changes. As believers we would do well to check our spiritual gait. Am I walking in truth? Am I walking in obedience? Am I walking in love?      

John emphasizes the truth of the humanity of Jesus, calling those who deny his humanity deceivers.

He further cautions us in V. 10, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching (the teaching of Christ), do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work!” We should be careful to never endorse, support, or otherwise participate in spiritual teaching that’s inconsistent with the teachings of Christ! Discernment is a must. 

III John continues with John’s emphasis on truth. He encourages hospitality and support for those who continue in the teachings of Jesus, He calls out an arrogant man by the name of Diotrephes who had a major problem with his walk. He neither walked in truth, in obedience to the commands, nor in love. John promised to confront him if he was able to be with them in person. In the same paragraph he commended Demetrius for his walk, his reputation, spoken well of by everyone. John had much more to say, but saved it for when he would see them in person. I kind of wish he had written more for our sake, but it is what it is. These are the words God knew we would need today.

Reflection Questions

  1. What value do you place on the truths of God as handed down to us in the 66 books of the Bible? What would John say about watered down truth in your life or in your church?
  2. How is your walk doing? In Truth? In Obedience? In Love? Is one limping along more than the others? What could be an effective spiritual fix for this limp?
  3. If the apostle John knew you and were able to come and see you in person, what do you think he would tell you to work on in your own life?
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What Does John Want You to Know?

1 John 1-5

Devotion by John Railton (IN)

I John is a really interesting book to read and study. The author is the Apostle John, who authored the gospel of John, I, II, and III John, and the book of Revelation. Each of his books/letters were likely written late in the first century. I John is addressed to believers, perhaps in general, not any particularly named believer. I John 2:12-14 help us see the broad target for these teachings.   


12 I am writing to you who are God’s children
    because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.[f]
13 I am writing to you who are mature in the faith[g]
    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I am writing to you who are young in the faith
    because you have won your battle with the evil one.
14 I have written to you who are God’s children
    because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith
    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
    because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
    and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Some highlights about the Apostle John – He was all in when Jesus called him to follow and to be a fisher of men. He was one of the three mentioned most often as being close to Jesus. He’s described as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was often distinguished from the other disciples. He’s one who was closer to Jesus when they were asked to watch and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was asked by Jesus to look after his mother Mary as Jesus suffered on the cross. He ran to and looked into the tomb when it was reported that Jesus had been raised. He had great vision and revelation of the future as his writings reveal in the book of Revelation.   

John had explained his purpose for writing the gospel of John in 20:30,31, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book, but these (seven miracles) are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name!”  The emphasis there is some of the truth that must be believed. It’s interesting that then in I John 5:13 he says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” He apparently wants those who believe to have a level of confidence, to know that they have eternal life. We shouldn’t be over confident, of course, especially if we’re not living the faith, if we’re not walking in truth, which John also addresses in I John.

John does emphasize knowing numerous things in this letter. In fact, you’ll find the word know at least thirty times in this letter, depending on the version you use. An interesting exercise would be to read through the book and underline the word know each time you find it. It really wouldn’t take that long to do this. Contemplate then those teachings John is wanting his readers to know, and I think, to understand.

I’ll just name a few of my favorite passages in I John. I John 1:9; I John 2:3-6; I John 2:15; I John 2:22.23; I John 3:11,12; I John 4:1-3; I John 4:19-21; I John 5:13; I John 5:18. What are yours?  

Reflection Questions

  1. Do people know you are a follower of Jesus? Would they call you “all in” in the way you live your faith and follow Jesus? What has Jesus entrusted to you?
  2. Find the “know” verses in 1 John. Which ones do you already know and are ready to share? How will you share and to whom? Which ones might take a little more study/seeking to more fully know/understand? How will you seek to know more?
  3. Why do you think John wants God’s children to be confident of their coming eternal life? What are you confident of? What are you not confident of? Is there anything (perhaps in the area of living your faith or walking in truth or knowing more of what John wants you to know) that would boost your confidence? What is the danger of TOO much confidence?
  4. What are your favorite verses in 1 John?
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The Apostle Paul Refused to Mask Up!


1 Thessalonians 2

If you’ve not read Marcia’s devotion for yesterday, it would be good to give it a quick scan now.  She sets us up well for I & II Thessalonians.  By the way, thank you Marcia, for all the work you do with SeekGrowLove!  These readings and devotions are a great ministry!  It is amazing how often the Old and New Testament readings complement each other.  Isaiah did speak a great deal of judgment, but as always, God never wasted an opportunity to lay out hope for his people.  Isaiah also had much to say about the coming Messiah.  I appreciated Marcia’s suggestion that we note what Paul alludes to at the end of every chapter in I Thessalonians.  If I had known that before, I had forgotten.  


At any rate, let me note just a few highlights in I Thessalonians 2 . . .


Paul was literally driven to preach the gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus the Christ.  Neither opposition, nor disagreement, nor persecution could dissuade him.  He was a straight shooter, told it like it was.  He would have nothing to do with masking, hiding anything, or any impure motives (See V. 5).  He provided for his own needs, toiling at his own profession, rather than to be a burden in any way upon the church.  Actually, on another occasion he apologized for that very practice, realizing the church needed to understand and meet their responsibility to care for those who provided for their spiritual needs.  The context of the situation would evidently dictate what is right.  


Notice the tenderness of Paul’s love and concern for the brethren.  He was gentle with them, like a mother caring for her little children (V. 7).  Then in Vs. 11,12, he dealt with them as a father deals with his own children – encouraging, comforting, and urging them to live lives worthy of God who calls us into his kingdom and glory.  He was thankful for them, and proud of them as they served and obeyed.  Who are your spiritual mentors, men and women who have taught you, encouraged you, comforted you, and challenged you spiritually?  May we make them proud.  May we walk in their footsteps.  May we build on the foundation others have laid before us!  May we minister to others!  May we be true as we wait and watch for the coming of Jesus!    

-John Railton

Read or listen to today’s Bible reading plan passages at BibleGateway.com here – Isaiah 25-26 and 1 Thessalonians 2

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Please Lord, Get Your Hands Out of Your Pockets!

Job 25,26 and Psalm 73,74


Job had certainly experienced his share, actually more than his share, of trouble.  Add to that the counsel of his wife and friends and you can’t help but wonder how he managed to survive, and to actually thrive in his relationship with the LORD.  None of it was fair, but why would we expect life to be fair?  If life was fair, I suppose we’d be zapped with judgment upon our first sin.  Job seemed to have wisdom and understanding beyond most.  Psalm 111:10 comes to mind, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him (the LORD) belongs eternal praise!”  Job did his best to follow the LORD’S precepts, and he was consequently blessed with understanding.  He was certainly a man of faith, with determined loyalty to the LORD, no matter what came his way.  What an example for us as we see evil in our world, as we experience trouble, disappointment, pain, sorrow, frustration.  It’s easy to wonder, where is God?  Why doesn’t he send Jesus back?  Isn’t it time to put an end to this broken and disobedient age in which we live? 


Asaph, author of Psalm 73 and 74, may have had similar thoughts.  He seemed to envy the arrogant, even thought the wicked had it better than he.  Everything seemed to go well for them.  They were carefree, yet their wealth increased.  This bothered him to no end, until he remembered the rest of the picture.  All may have appeared bright and shiny, but he was reminded the wicked are doomed to judgment and destruction.    


Still, it bothered Asaph that things continued as they did.  Notice Psalm 74:11, “Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?  Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!”  Asaph felt, as probably most of us today, that God should get his hands out of his pockets and fix things.  Deal with the evil!  Get rid of those who persecute God’s people!  Smack those who call evil good, and good evil!  Bring your salvation!  Have regard for your covenant, your promises!  Defend your cause!  


Doesn’t that sound like our thoughts and wishes?  Send Jesus back now!  I suspect things are going to get a whole lot worse than they are now, than we can even imagine.  It’s okay that we would wish God would take his hands out of his pockets and fix everything, because that in itself shows that we do know he who can and will eventually fix things.  At the same time, may we be patient, may we persevere, as did Job, and may we wait upon the LORD to take action when and how he sees fit!

-John Railton

Today’s Bible passages can be read or listened to at BibleGateway here – Job 25-26 and Psalm 73-74

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