Lost in a Bible Passage? Begin Here
HOW GOD REVEALS JUST WHAT WE NEED WHEN WE NEED IT
Joni Eareckson Tada
Guest Contributor
Not long ago, my friend was struggling to make sense of the book of Revelation and asked, “Joni, what’s your impression of it?” I didn’t have to think: “Enigmatic, formidable, and wildly inspiring!”
Okay, I confess I wouldn’t call the apocalypse wildly inspiring, but you get the point. For centuries, theologians have applied various hermeneutical styles to nail down the interpretation of Revelation, yet to this day the book remains imposing.
For those of us who are not experts, how do we get past “enigmatic” and “formidable” to confidently declare that Revelation is “wildly inspiring”?
When I tackle a book of the Bible, even Revelation, I use an inductive study method, a concordance, and a reliable commentary. BSF gives you those same tools! Your questions, your group discussion, lecture teaching, and the BSF notes all work together to help you discover God’s truth for yourself.
Each time I open my Bible, I begin by asking God to show me something fresh about Himself. He has never disappointed me. The Holy Spirit is a precious instructor who faithfully reveals just what we need when we need it.
The Holy Spirit is a precious instructor who faithfully reveals just what we need ...
In Ephesians 1:17 Paul says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
When we open our Bibles, isn’t that what we long to discover? To simply “know him better”? Following Paul’s example, we too can pray for wisdom and revelation.
Let me show you an example.
When I prayed for wisdom, I discovered Christ’s majesty
In Revelation 1:12-16, the apostle John sees a stunning vision—the glorious appearance of the resurrected Christ. What John sees looks exactly like the Ancient of Days described in Daniel 7:9, the One who is the First and the Last with His eyes blazing like fire, His feet glowing like bronze in a furnace, and His voice sounding “like the sound of rushing waters (Revelation 1:14-15).
It is a vision from another time and dimension, and John is astounded by the face of Christ, shining like the sun in all its brilliance with—of all things—a sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Jesus Christ is standing there, holding seven stars in his right hand. And not just any stars—these brilliant celestial bodies represented the seven angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).
What amazes me is what happens next. The sight of this dazzling figure in the middle of the seven golden lampstands takes John’s breath away and he is overcome (who wouldn’t be?). He collapses at Jesus’s feet as though he were dead.
Now, look at our precious Savior’s response. To me, it is deeply powerful yet impossibly endearing. In a heart-stopping moment, Jesus Christ “placed his right hand on [John] and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One…I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades’” (Revelation 1:17-18).
Bending down to touch and comfort John, the Lord uses His right hand—the hand still holding up the stars and the churches. He doesn’t let them go or set them down. Jesus gently bends down and says, “Do not be afraid.”
When I prayed for revelation, I discovered that Jesus is near
This is astonishing! Our Savior stoops to give us His right hand, not His left—His righteous right hand. This is the same hand that keeps stars, suns, and planets spinning in motion. It is the hand that upholds Christ’s Church and her messengers all over the world.
Do you see it? Even though the Son of God is unspeakably awesome in His glory and power, He does not think that John’s needs—or your needs, your hurts, your fears, or your emotions—are beneath Him.
High and exalted as He now is, our wonderful Savior takes delight in bending low to revive us when we collapse.
High and exalted as He now is, our wonderful Savior takes delight in bending low to revive us when we collapse. His right hand may perform great and wondrous things beyond description, but He also reserves that same hand to gently touch you at your deepest point of need.
How will God respond when you pray?
Even though I learned this insight a year ago in my Bible reading, it’s still fresh. I am still blown away by this humbling insight about Jesus Christ. He stoops, He bends, He accommodates Himself to touch and strengthen our frail humanity.
This year, if you find the book of Revelation a little overwhelming, let me encourage you to approach Revelation with confidence in what has already been prayed for you in Ephesians 1:17:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
May God give you wisdom and revelation so that you may know Christ Jesus better. And when He opens the eyes of your heart, He will give you a mind-blowing picture of His majesty and His tenderness throughout this remarkable book of Revelation.
About the Author
Joni Eareckson Tada is founder and CEO of Joni and Friends, an organization that provides Christian outreach in the disability community. She is a beloved author, speaker, and mouth artist, and an internationally renowned advocate for people with disabilities.
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I have read this passage numerous times (1:17-18), but reading it here, now, I chuckled at Jesus’ words “do not fear,” followed by “I am the First and the Last…” How awestruck, mortified, anxious, dumbfounded, and yes, intrigued would any mortal be standing in the presence of the “First and the Last, the Living One, …alive forever and ever, the One who holds the keys to death and Hades?” That would be the very reason John would be struck, as Isaiah was with awe, fear, trembling! So much to think on. He had spent 3 years with Jesus, but He was in His glorified state, so no more familiarity from being in such close contact? Love the living Word that is always fresh!
Love the beautiful distinction between Jesus right and left hands when referring to the touch He gave John! Such a wonderful picture of power under control (authority) and His tender loving care of His children!. Creates for me a different perspective for a Book I grew up fearing.
What a blessing to know that Christ stoops down to us to hear our every need!!
Always enjoy hearing Joni’s insightful comments. She has such a very long history with Jesus.
Hey there Joni!
I couldn’t believe BSF has recommended your blog! Here’s why: I am a part of a Good News Club (GNC) in my little town of Clarksville and each year the GNC provides a missionary’s story but they do it in stages leaving the children with a cliffhanger that they’ll have to come back the following week to get more of the missionary’s life journey. The children groan because they don’t want it to end. I thought for some strange reason the missionaries they tell us about were so long ago and just history. The missionary we are learning about is YOU! So when I see BSF refer us to your blog. I am blown away! WOW! Your life’s journey is truly GOD’s story (His-Story). All Glory and Honor for your persevering journey that The Lord is still writing and the world gets to come to know Jesus through or be encouraged by! Way 2 Go Joni! You will get your crown! Keep storing your treasures in Heaven, they will be there waiting on you!
Truly, the book of Revelation can be difficult to understand unless the Holy Spirit helps us. It will minister more to us if we can relate what we read to our lives, we see Jesus, never leaving us but bending down…thank you Joni for that inspiration
It is impossibly endearing, to use Joni’s words, that Jesus bent down to touch and comfort John. Bending down to heal, to wash feet, to look into the eyes of children. Powerful in His humility is our Lord. Thank you for including these inspiring blog entries.
THANK YOU a Milion times for all that BSF does to help us know more about our Lord and Savior!
I love the insight and discernment that God showed Joni with this passage. This is why BSF is so important: This type of fresh understanding and new revelation happens every week when we gather together in our group discussions.
I understand now, how wonderful God to reach down and tell us not to be afraid. He gots us at all times.
Thank you so much for the revelation, for the insight. After Revelation I will never be same again.
Thank you, Joni, for encouraging us in our study of Revelation! May we see Jesus ever more glorious!
Very encouraging . Thank you!
I am so grateful to BSF for giving us the opportunity to Study The Book Of Revelation! And also offers many others in the app Word go!
Extraordinary way of studying the word of God!
Thank You so much for such a work giving many the opportunity to start a new way of living studying and keeping The word of God in their lives! I appreciate Your hard word and pray many come to study God’s Word so they can Joying Him in His kigdom.
Wow! This is so powerful! Thank you for sharing the wisdom God imparted to you. It brought tears to my eyes and took my breath away. He is so good!!!
Thank you for this blog. I read it and totally felt the Holy Spirit stirring inside of me!
I love this gal, she has been a great inspiration to me over the years.Her journey with our God never ceases to amaze me. He has imparted beauty, grace, and wisdom to this dear lady. Over the years I have become disabled myself, and can relate in part some of her suffering, and I am grateful as we are sisters in Christ .
Reading this, BSF blog inspired me even more, and encouraged me with Ephesians 1:17:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Plus, that a woman like her, (meaning how she has been used by our dear Lord throughout her life) is studying Revelations, and belongs to Bible Study Fellowship. It’s sorta like we are Bible Studying together, joining women all over the globe studying Revelations. It is truly amazing what God has done, and is doing ♥️
The more I learned about who God is and his Character is the more I want to know Him.
i was searching for help in studying Revelation. When i entered BSF Blog I was amazed by the information I received. Totally enjoyed reading.
What an amazing description and depiction of our Lord Jesus Christ by Joni Eareckson Tada through that verse. I truly felt that warmth and nearness of a Great and mighty Lord whose love is palatable as he stretches his hand to his creation. What a picture of our Majestic God’s great love for us. I am so encouraged to seek his wisdom because He truly is a relatable God. God is certainly near to me too as we delve into the study of Revelation- May His Grace and Wisdom flow to bring illumination and understanding of His Word.
I am struggling with BSF n need help !
Hi Margaret, I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling. I’ve reached out to your group leader and class administrator and asked them to connect with you to help.
Blessings, Meredith
What is wrong? Just keep praying to God to help you. He is here for us always.
Beautiful caption of how powerful God is and who He is. What a mighty God we serve?!! His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, is definitely true. He is the Great I am that I am!
Thank you for posting this inspiring article by Joni. I have been feeling a little timid and challenged in thinking that I could lead my small group through this amazing book. Joni’s comments have encouraged me greatly. Remembering to keep my eyes on HIM and His majesty has helped restore my perspective. “High and exalted as He now is, our wonderful Savior takes delight in bending low to revive us when we collapse. His right hand may perform great and wondrous things beyond description, but He also reserves that same hand to gently touch you at your deepest point of need.”
Joni is such an inspiration to me, as I am also disabled. But the Lord doesn’t treat me like I am! He has always uplifted me and has never made me feel like I am less than…I am in BSF leadership, and though I teach the children, Jesus has placed his truth in me to not only to instruct, but to learn from them as well! Jesus allows me the ability to use my own creative approach to the Revelation lessons I teach each week. There’s a lot of controversy to the last book of the Bible, but the BSF discovery guides and leadership editions help break down each verse into very understandable lessons. The children are so happy , when they come, and ready to learn and getting to know the Lord on a deeper level!
Incredibly inspiring and motivating!!!
Thank you for the encouragement , more so Ephesians 1:7, quite timely as we walk through revelation. The knowledge in our lives.
hat God will equip us to understand him and apply
Thank you so much for this inspiring and instructive messages. Your technique for studying the Book of Revelation gave me inspiring hope.
Praise the LORD!!!!!
I am very happy to have the opportunity to study in BSF God bless you I think I will learn a lot
I am having problems with my ZOOM account. I also need help to learn how to use ZOOM with Bible Study Fellowship. You can send messages through my email address, or call me.
Hi Mack, I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble. I’ve reached out to your class administrator and asked him to connect with you to get your issues resolved.
Blessings, Meredith
This is a great discovery that our Lord Jesus Christ takes a moment to address our fears, worries and to meet our needs.
He stooped down to touch John.And I am comforted to know He is always ready for me.thanks for that Insight.
Our prayer for the Study of Revelation:
„O most merciful Redeemer, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly and follow Thee more nearly, day by day“.
Thank you Joni for sharing your insight!
Would you elaborate the difference between
…. “give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” & ….. “give you wisdom and revelation “…
Thank you!
Dear Joni, your approach – “Each time I open my Bible, I begin by asking God to show me something fresh about Himself” – is inspiring me to do the same! I love – will strengthen my personal relationship with God. I thank you so much for sharing this.
Blessings on your day. . .
Thank you Joni for your encouragement. My desire is know Him better.
Beautiful and inspiring especially since I have been rereading Joni’s book, “More Precious Than Silver” as one of my daily devotions this year.
So very lovely. Thank you. Sharing with my group.
I met Joni at Westmount College the day my niece graduated she was there to help a young man who was paralyzed in an accident. She was donating a wheelchair to this young man. She is truly a remarkable woman whom is used by Jesus to impart wisdom and encouragement in the live of so many people. it was an honor to meet her. And to stand in awe of someone being used by Jesus in such an amazing way.
I own my prayers with others for her continued success . PTL
Thank you for including Joni Eareckson Tada’s message on Revelation. Special Needs is the ministry God has allowed me to be a part of and Joni is a dear godly influence on so many lives. Having her voice speak for BSF is exactly what I needed. My prayer for myself the first week of class was to reconnect with God the Father, God the Son (Christ) and God the Holy Spirit in a deeper relationship this year; this message has begun that journey. I pray that we will all feel the touch of God in our hearts this year, resulting in grace filled heart transformations. Thank you BSF!
Thank you for encouraging my heart to learn fearlessly and prayerfully.
Thank you for praying that we receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better.
Wow, thank you, Joni, & BSF for this encouraging message. I have so admired the insight both have shared through the years.
Joni,
I am so very grateful for you sharing how compassionate Jesus is to us, He is faithful and our hope rest in him. He loves us so much that he die to save us.
Joni, thank you for sharing your insight about Jesus and His compassion for John. He bends to meet us wherever we are. He is the first and the last. He is so glorious!
Thank you, Joni for this beautifully descriptive piece. Your written voice is powerful. I can imagine that your speaking is more so.
Thank you Joni for encouraging us to pray for God’s revelation as Paul stated in Ephesians 1:17. I ask for wisdom and discernment before I read Scripture, and I will now also ask for God’s revelation. I will encourage the ladies in my BSF discussion group to pray for God’s revelation as we study the book of Revelation. To God be the glory!
Blessings, Diane
Each step you take everyday if enjoyed or endured brings you closer to your final goal of heaven!
Great and touching insight from Joni (someone who no longer uses hands due to what happened to her!!). Her focus on the fact that our Lord Jesus uses the same right hand to touch John and to touch us for comfort speaks volumes to my life struggles!! Thankyou Joni for this blog! God bless you!!
Thank you for giving this to us! I love pouring thru the Bible which helps me learn so much, just asking Jesus to guide me as I study each lesson. His right hand! Love this!
Praise the Lord for the coming rapture, tribulations, millennium, new Heaven and new Earth.
This is really encouraging ,I just learned that whenever you are enigmatic and formidale about Gods word make ephesians 1:17 your mantra .God bless you
This blog has been very helpful to me in appreciating the Book of Revelation. It is very timely because I have just joined a new BSF class of Revelation the Hope. I am sure I will know Christ better during this study. Thank you so much Joni. Please keep such articles coming.
I love Joni Tada! I trust her opinions as they point me right back to the Bible. Her writing has always inspired me to learn more about the one of whom she writes!
Praise our Amazing Lord God Almighty in Jesus’ Holy!!! Name!!! Jesus is bending down to pick me up in His righteous hand!!! He is faithful!!! I have learned to just ask. He is willing to heal our brokenness. God bless you all in Jesus’ Name.
I just love BSF! I have grown so much closer to God and my faith has increased. I thank God for the inspiration God gave to the founder to start BSF. God has grown this ministry to reach out across the world. Praise God for his wisdom and guidance!
Thanks for reminding me that God’s word is fresh and new every morning like freshly baked bread!
Amen,thank you for the reminder I’ll keep in my mind from now on asking him to show me something fresh about him 🙏
Thank you BSF for sharing Joni’s article. I will share her thoughts with my ladies who are curious to know more about Revelation.
The study of revelation is amazing, the plan God for humanity is salvation, let reed the Bible so me can know better the father and the son. Amen!!!!!
What a wonderfully inspiring and eye-opening piece.
I sometimes forget to ask God to open my eyes and heart when I study. My goal now will be to remember Joni’s starting prayer and await the insights from Christ that He will share!
Thank you
This is my 1st study with BSF and I’m so excited to learn more about Jesus and his Word….
Joni thanks for the insights on this new book we’re studying. 🙏🏼
Thanks so much for your wise words and encouragement Joni. I too have copied down Ephesians 1:17 to remind me to keep asking the Father for wisdom and revelation so that I might know Him better! xo
What a wonderful overflowing message that the signs of the 7 lamp stand/7 stars Jesus holds in his hands.
His authority/majesty of the heaven/earth!
Giving us a Hope/trusting our beloved Father whom Loves Us. Knowing he will return for those who believes in Him!
Yes! To see and Know Jesus better – that is what I want to get from Revelation this year – if I understand anything else it will be a bonus 😉
What an encouraging and inspiring teaching from Joni. Jesus, even in His awesome and brilliant glory, stooping down to us to meet our needs.
I love the idea of asking God to show me something fresh about Himself.
I know He will!
Thank you for the glimpse of my Intimate Savior who sees me.
Sure! Here’s a more concise response:
—
I resonate with your insights on Revelation. It is indeed complex, but I appreciate your emphasis on using study methods and prayer. I’ve found that asking God for understanding often leads to new insights.
Your depiction of Christ’s majesty and tenderness is especially powerful. It reassures me that He is both awe-inspiring and close to my needs. Thank you for encouraging me to approach Revelation with confidence—I’m eager to explore it further!
This was so very helpful Joni! I was just about to begin my Revelation lesson and I’m sure the Holy Spirit said, “Read Joni’s blog first!” There is always a blessing in obedience. So much I would have missed about our Savior. I’m placing Ephesians 1:17 over the desk in my study so that I, too, may see something fresh and get to know Jesus better each time I open my Bible! May God continue to crown your head with wisdom.
Thank you!
Thanks Joni, for putting these into words. So apt for my situations and times.
Thank you Jesus.
Great illumination about the word
Thank you for insight on how humbling our Savioe can be, we all can learn a lesson from Him. Wisdom to humble ourselves.
Thank you for giving me the way to approach Revelation before studying.
Thankyou for these precious thoughts Joni! I have written out Ephesians 1:17 and put it above my study desk, to remember that this needs to be my wholehearted desire every time I come here to open Gods Word – whether Quiet times or BSF studies.
Thankyou for your faithful, joyful witness!
This is really encouraging help to study the Book of Revelation.
I did the same! Thank you Joni for the reminder!
Thank you Joni Wonderful. And a very Happy birthday to you October 15th. We met at camp s few years ago. Same birthday! Tyler boys Aunt Deann.
Great. This gives me confidence to study.
So beautifully written. Thanks!
I pray for God to open the eyes of my heart !! I want to see Him
More fully and to know Him more fully.
This is wonderful! Thank you
for these exciting insights from
Joni! I will pass them on to my group to increase their excitement also!
Are there and student focused blogs or other resources to use to help us engage them, many of our students don’t read. Need more visuals to help get message across. I don’t have facebook…thx
Hi Becky, as a former CL I definitely understand the struggle to engage your students. Luckily, there are many resources in the Resource Library that you can use to help get your students more engaged! Simply go to the Resource Library in MyBSF and select “BSF Students” in the “Category” dropdown. There you will find PowerPoints and other resources that can help provide more visuals to use in class. I hope those help! I will be praying for your students to really lock in and for you to find the resources that work best!
Blessings, Meredith
That was very inspiring! Thank you! I love the verse you repeated, Ephesians 1:17. It really helps!
God bless you mightily Joni!
i am so encouraged how God works in people who lets Him do so.
The results of the accident which caused Joni to be paralyzed has not become a limitation in the relationship between God and her, and He has worked mightily in her.
I am giving care to a elderly sibling in a nursing home, and her expressed sadness and depression at times caused me to be sad also, but I should really thankful that God has allowed me the privilege to be able to care. So I need to stand firm and stay in boundaries without getting depressed because God can work mightily and I do tell my sibling so.
Well said. God loves us so much it’s hard to process. All I can say is Thank you Jesus
Praise the Lord Joni for your inspiration in sharing. Our Lord is so faithful to give us what we need, when we seek Him.
I needed your message as a reminder tonight. God bless you and keep you shining HIS Light for all of us!
Powerful imagery of Christ that I would have missed if I had not read Joni’s blog! PTL!
Amen!
I really enjoy BSF study book, it’s keep busy on spiritual knoy
This was very very inspiring and I will read it over and over during our study of Revelations to remind me of the love of our Jesus.