Revelation (Apocalypse): A Book of Love?

This post was inspired by the recent shooting in Germany and it extracts ideas from a book written by C. Spicq entitled Agape in the New Testament (3 Volumes).

The book of Revelation admittedly has a lot to say about war (πόλεμος). See Revelation 2:12-16, 20-23; 6:1-4; 9:7, 9; 11:7; 12:7-12, 17; 13:7; 16:14-16; 19:11-21; 20:1-3, 7-10. I believe that out of eighteen occurrences in the GNT, 1/2 of the occurences for πόλεμος can be found in Revelation. See https://fosterheologicalreflections.blogspot.com/2018/12/warbattle-motifs-in-revelation.html

Nevertheless, war is not the only theme of this "apocalyptic" work, but the book deals with love too:

Revelation 1:5-6; 2:4, 19; 3:9; 12:11; 20:9.

How heartwarming that John refers to Christ as the one who loved "us" (Revelation 1:5). While Christ loves those whom God has called to be kings and priests (1:6; 5:9-10; 20:4-6), Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Almighty God equally loves those who look forward to life in the new earth: the love of Jesus and his Father for humankind is unfathomable. No creature will ever fully understand such love (Ephesians 2:4-6).

Christ Jesus lovingly acknowledged the righteous deeds of the Ephesian congregation (Revelation 2:1-3). Nevertheless, he sternly corrected them since they had lost their first love. The first love (the love they had at first) possibly refers to their initial ardent love for Jehovah God and his Son, a love which they allowed to wane over time. Hence, Jesus did another loving thing by supplying correction to the Ephesians for as he later exclaims, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:19 ESV). Compare Hebrews 12:3-11.

Jesus lovingly commended the congregation at Thyatira although he had strong counsel for them: "I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first" (Revelation 2:19).

Does Jesus ever forget our righteous deeds or the love that we show for Jehovah's name? Our Lord assured the congregation in Philadelphia: "Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you" (Revelation 3:9 ESV).

Jesus never forgets the love that we show for Jehovah's name; he knows our deeds and appreciates our work.

Revelation 12:7-12 reports a conflict that took place in heaven between Michael and his angels against Satan and his angels. Satan the Devil was ousted from heaven, then an unidentified loud voice was heard from heaven that revealed the love which Christian martyrs have for their God, and their Savior Christ Jesus:

"They conquered him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not love their lives
in the face of death" (HCSB).

Those who give their lives (souls) in service to Jehovah God and his Christ--Christian martyrs anointed by God's spirit--conquer the Devil (the figurative dragon) because they exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus while they boldly give the "word of their testimony" via the preaching and teaching work (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). In this manner, they show that the present life is not more important than faithful service to God: their love for God exceeds love for life itself.

Finally, in Revelation 20:9, we read about the "beloved city" (τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἠγαπημένην): this figurative city is the Lamb's wife (the bride of Christ) composed of 144,000 kings-priests. When Satan's hordes attack people in the new earthly society, it will also be an attack on those in heaven. Rev. 20:9 unfolds the outcome of Satan's attack. Ultimately, Jehovah will show love for New Jerusalem by consuming all who oppose Kingdom rule. One might say that the motifs of war and love are combined in this verse as John writes: καὶ κατέβη πῦρ ^[b]ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτούς·

SBLGNT supplies the variants: ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ WH NIV ] ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ Treg; ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ RP

In my estimation, Revelation has a lot to tell us about love.