The last book of the bible is called the Book of Revelations and has also been called the Book of the Apocalypse. It is probably one of the most misunderstood and most beautiful of bible texts. It was written for the early Christian communities in a time of persecution, fear and challenge in their faithfulness to Christ and the Good News.
In the early part it records seven letters which the author "John", a significant leader of the early Christians, wrote to a number of communities or 'churches' while in exile on the island of Patmos. (See map)
You may find it helpful to read some of these (very short) letters in order to get some idea of the lives of followers of Jesus in the early years after his death, resurrection and ascension, and of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
It gives us some of idea of their difficulties, challenges and hopes. The book opens with an introduction as written here:
(From) John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7Look, 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. So shall it be! Amen.
8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7Look, 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. So shall it be! Amen.
8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
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