Why John is given a vision of the reigning Lord in biblical symbols, rather than a true resemblance, and how each symbol shows the true attitude of worship in church or in personal devotion, serving as a tonic for real appreciation of Christ and communion with Him.

A trick question is put to Christ by the Pharisees in the hope of discrediting Him, to persecute  Him, but He confounds them with a disarming reply that imparts all we so much need to know about the kingdom of God, and how to enter it.

John here presents four crucial ideals for believers to aim at: 1) to take seriously personal spiritual progress or soul-prosperity; 2) to fully embrace missionary support; 3) to avoid Diotrephes-style leadership; and 4) to know how to recognise those truly approved by God.

In three short sentences, designed to surprise and challenge, the Lord shows the emptiness of possessing only 'material' life and clinging tenaciously to it, then the vast superiority of having life in the soul. Here is what it means to follow Christ, and be eternally safe.

John sets out the authentic characteristics of truly saved believers. What he means by saying that they sin not, and how they fight sin. Here also are Satan's attempts to ruin them, and a key work of redemption - a certain and personal walk with God.