Study Desk

Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear.

It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

So there are three witnesses that tell us about Jesus:

I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now.

He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding. So now we can know the one who is true, and we live in that true God. We are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God, and he is eternal life.

So, dear children, keep yourselves away from false gods.

Be careful! Don't lose the reward we have worked for. Be careful so that you will receive all of that reward.

My dear friend, I know that you are doing well spiritually. So I pray that everything else is going well with you and that you are enjoying good health.

So we should help them. When we help them, we share with their work for the truth.

And remember the angels who lost their authority to rule. They left their proper home. So the Lord has kept them in darkness, bound with everlasting chains, to be judged on the great day.

These people are like dirty spots among you—they bring shame to you in the special meals you share together. They eat with you and have no fear. They take care of only themselves. They are like clouds without rain. The wind blows them around. They are like trees that have no fruit at harvest time and are pulled out of the ground. So they are twice dead.

So write what you see. Write the things that happen now and the things that will happen later.

So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you don't change, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

So change your hearts! If you don't change, I will come to you quickly and fight against these people with the sword that comes out of my mouth.

"So I will throw her on a bed of suffering. And all those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly. I will do this now if they don't turn away from the things she does.

So don't forget what you have received and heard. Obey it. Change your hearts and lives! You must wake up, or I will come to you and surprise you like a thief. You will not know when I will come.

You followed my command to endure patiently. So I will keep you from the time of trouble that will come to the world—a time that will test everyone living on earth.

"I am coming soon. Hold on to the faith you have, so that no one can take away your crown.

But you are only warm—not hot, not cold. So I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.