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The book of Revelation is an interesting book. While there are some students of the Bible who are fascinated with it and have mistakenly made it their guide to the evening news, there are also many others who practically ignore it. The reason they have done this, I’m convinced, is because the imagery used in the book can be kind of difficult to understand—difficult but worth it. There are many wonderful lessons to be found in a study of Revelation.

One of the most wonderful things found in the book, however, doesn’t come from the “hard sayings” of the book; it comes from a simple statement found in the first chapter. John describes Jesus as the one “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5 ESV).

Jesus loves us, not because we are so worthy, but because it’s in keeping with who he is and what we need. That love is the reason he was willing to do all that he has done on our behalf (i.e., freeing us from our sins by his blood). What he wants in return for the love he has expressed is that we love him back—not merely in a sentimental way, but by expressing our love for him in the things that we do. As Jesus said on one occasion, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”  (John 14:15 ESV).

Do you love the Lord? Does your life demonstrate the fact that you love him?