Paul helps his friend Philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave Onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of Jesus.

One of Paul’s shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of Philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. It’s written to Philemon whose slave Onesimus ran away and became a believer under Paul’s teaching.

Paul gets personal

Paul urges Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him back as an equal. Because they are both believers, God’s grace and healing mercy have made them partners under the new humanity Jesus’ established.

While Paul doesn’t mention Jesus’ death and resurrection directly in this book, he offers to take on any punishment Onesimus deserves, a demonstration of what Jesus did on the cross. He encourages Philemon to do the same as he reconciles to Onesimus before God.

The author shows how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s love and mercy and is worthy of our devotion.

The book of Hebrews compares and contrasts Jesus to key historical people and events from the Old Testament. Through these comparisons, we see His superiority. He is greater than angels, the Torah, Moses, the Promised Land, priests, Melchizedek, sacrifices, and the covenant. He is God’s Word, the hope for a new creation, our eternal priest, and the perfect sacrifice.

A very Jewish letter

Throughout the book, we are also challenged to remain faithful to Jesus and follow great models of faith from the Old Testament despite hardships and persecution. These challenges will make us uncomfortable but instead of fearing them, remember that rejecting Jesus is foolish.

Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s love and mercy and is worthy of all our trust and devotion.

James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.

Written by Jesus’ half-brother Jacob, the book of James shares sage wisdom for all the churches and followers of Jesus. It’s influenced by Proverbs and frequently quotes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

James’ best hits

The introduction summarizes the words and themes found throughout the book, which is filled with short, challenging wisdom speeches that are full of metaphors and easily memorized one-liners.

While James doesn’t teach new theology, it does challenge believers on how they should live. Topics covered include words, favoritism, love, wealth and hardship. When believers listen to and obey God’s word, they love Him and others. Their actions match their words, and their lives are made whole, complete and perfect.

Peter offers hope to persecuted Christians and guides them with practical instruction on living life consistent with following Jesus.

1 Peter gives persecuted Christians a powerful reminder that they have hope in the midst of their suffering. From the time of Abraham, God’s people were a misunderstood minority and should expect to face hostility because they live under King Jesus’ rule.

Persecution is a gift

Apostles are chosen by God, and their persecution is actually a gift because it offers them a chance to show others the surprising generosity and love of Jesus, which is fueled by hope in His return and victory over evil. Peter is hopeful that their imitation of Jesus and demonstration of His upside-down kingdom, which includes baptism and service, will give power to their words as they bear witness to God’s mercy and show people the beautiful truth about Jesus.

Peter calls for faithfulness and confronts corrupt teachers who distorted the message about Jesus and lead others astray.

2 Peter is an intense, passionate farewell speech addressed to the same Messianic church communities as 1 Peter. In the book, Peter challenges Jesus’ followers to continue growing in their faith, love and service to God.

Be vigilant of corrupt teachers

He issues two warnings against corrupt teachers who are leading the Christian communities astray with their way of life and distorted theology.

Peter addresses their objections to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the final judgment. He reminds Christians that their hope is in God. In His time on the Day of the Lord, He will expose evil and injustice and remove it to make way for a new heaven and earth that’s permeated with righteousness, God’s love and people who know and love God and their neighbors.

John calls followers of Jesus to share in God’s own life and love by devoting themselves to loving one another.

Written by John the Elder to house church believers, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John echo the gospel of John. They emphasize that God is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God’s light and love.

A series of John’s letters

Each book also addresses deceivers, teachers who no longer acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah or Son of God but spread fear and division among believers. All legitimate teachers will share the truth about Jesus and the cross, love others sacrificially and spread love and light rather than fear. He also reminds believers to welcome true missionaries who teach the message of the cross and love others. They should not welcome deceivers or make idols of anything that exalts itself in God’s place.

Jude confronts corrupt teachers who distort the message about his brother Jesus and lead others astray.

Judah, one of Jesus’ half brothers, wrote the book of Jude to Messianic believers who were familiar with Old Testament scriptures and Jewish literature. He uses these texts to refute corrupt teachers who lived immoral lives.

Living examples for the world

Judah illustrate God’s judgment on rebellion, but he warns against rebels corrupting other people. He then challenges the church to contend for the faith and stay faithful to God. As God’s new temple, believers must build their lives on the core message of Jesus and then pray, love and obey.

Their lives must reflect their faith because God’s grace through Jesus demands a whole-life response that includes moral living. The way they live is the most reliable indicator of what they actually believe.

John’s visions reveal that Jesus has overcome evil by his death and resurrection, and will return one day as the true king of the world.

The book of Revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and Old Testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise given to Abraham in Genesis.

A final word

The book is not a secret code that allows believers to decipher the timeline of Jesus’s return. Instead, it shows that every human kingdom eventually becomes Babylon and must be resisted. Jesus, the slain Lamb who died for the sins of the world, will return one day as King with His followers to prompt repentance.

He will remove evil permanently and make all things anew. That promise motivates every generation of God’s people to remain faithful in the midst of persecution until their King returns.