The Voice of Jesus

I've been reading (slowly) Dennis E. Johnson's commentary on Revelation, Triumph of the Lamb. You might remember I quoted him previously here. Johnson's is a voice you quickly learn to trust, not only for his great discernment as a Biblical scholar, but also for his clear love of Scripture and his pastoral desire to bless the church. In the introduction to his chapter on the letters to the seven churches, Johnson writes:

Seven churches, different in so many ways from one another. Seven churches, similar in so many ways to the churches in which we live and serve Jesus. What one thing do all these churches need to fortify them against the enemy's frontal assaults, to make them savvy to his subtle stratagems, and to make them loyal to God and compassionate toward their oppressors? They need to hear Jesus' voice. His voice comforts our weak and wounded hearts, diagnoses our diseases, shatters our dreams of ease here and now, and calls us forward to the consummation of his victory in the new Jerusalem. His voice addresses us today in his letters to the seven churches of Asia, for each letter is what the Spirit says to all the churches.

I just thought I'd share that.

Shocked insensible by the impact of his splendor...

From Dennis E. Johnson's Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation (p. 50):

We need to see Jesus -- to meet his blazing eyes of heart-searching holiness, to wake up at the trumpet-blast of his voice, to respond to his jealous demand for exclusive and passionate loyalty. Shocked insensible by the impact of his splendor, we need then to hear his words of compassionate comfort, quelling our fears and quickening our hopes. Every congregation, whatever its struggle at its post on the battlefront, needs to fix its eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:2).