Paul has never been to Colossae, but he has heard about them from his friend, Epaphras. Paul begins his letter with a thankful prayer about how God has worked in the past to save them and is continuing to work through the gospel to grow his people so that they can bear the fruit of the gospel.

After praying for the Colossians, Paul continues his letter by telling the Colossians who Jesus really is. The ancient world was filled with many gods to worship, but Paul raises Jesus above all these gods. Jesus is equal to God, the Great King, himself. Jesus is above every created being. Jesus is the head of the church. More than this, when Jesus died and rose again, he reconciled God, the Father, with sinful humanity. This also brings about the new creation of God’s faithful people.

Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church leads into a majestic description of Jesus, the Son of God. Paul describes Jesus as the greatest in everything because he is the true image of God and all the fullness of God lives in Jesus. Because Jesus is who he is, Paul tells the Colossian Christians that nothing changes as they continue in their faith. Jesus must remain the King. Nothing else is needed.

Now that they are faithful followers of Jesus, the way the Colossians live will look totally different to their old way of life. It’s like they are wearing a whole new wardrobe of clothes. They need to get rid of the things they used to do—the things that came from their sin and brokenness—and start doing the things that come from Jesus. These things show that the Colossians are faithful followers of King Jesus.

Living a new life under King Jesus looks very different to how the Colossians lived before they were faithful followers. The book of Colossians and Philemon tells us how King Jesus makes a difference even in relationships that have been damaged by sin. King Jesus invites his people to reconcile, or make peace, with their brothers and sisters in Christ, as they live as his body, the church.

John begins his letter to the seven churches with an extended greeting that highlights Jesus’ saving activity on behalf of his people that will end with his return. This is placed within the ultimate power and authority of God, the Great King. John also sees a vision of Jesus, not looking weak and broken, but powerful and full of authority. This beginning sets the scene for the rest of the book of Revelation.

John records Jesus’ messages for the seven churches he was writing to. In these letters, we can see that the churches are facing pressure from inside and outside the church. Even with this pressure, Jesus encourages his people to be faithful to the end—to keep on going, in spite of the temptations and dangers they are facing.

After recording Jesus’ messages for the seven churches, John is invited into the heavenly throne room. There John sees the magnificence, power and glory of God, the Great and Mighty King. This provides a different perspective to the suffering of the churches, where everything seems out of their control. In heaven, we see how things really are: God, the Great and Mighty King rules everything. He is in complete control.

John is writing his letter to seven churches who are suffering because of the sin and brokenness in our world. John’s visions of the end are a warning and an encouragement to the churches. John sees that everyone will face God’s judgement in the end and there are consequences for faithfulness and for rebellion. John also sees that Jesus conquers the great enemies of humanity: sin, death and Satan, the Prince of Darkness. All the churches must do is continue faithfully following Jesus.

The grand finale is here! John sees a picture of God’s great plan for his people after the time of judgement is complete. God, the Great and Mighty King, renews the heavens and the earth. And God’s people get to live with the Great King himself and with Jesus, the Lamb. And it’s better than we can even imagine.