In the first words of Revelation we find a
general introduction to the entire message. The book begins, "The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew
unto his servants things which must shortly come to
pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John."
(Revelation 1:1) The message was signified or given with signs through an angel
to John. Through the years, the church has received great comfort through the
glorious prophecy of this book.
The announcement of the Revelation of Jesus
Christ came with a blessing for those that read, hear and keep those things
that were written. Urgency is seen in the phrase "the time is at
hand." A study of the books of Ezekiel and Daniel will help prepare the
Bible student for studying the book of Revelation.
The Revelation as a whole book and
specifically the early chapters were written to the seven churches in
Revelation is a book with some predictions
of future events, but more than that it is a book designed to provide
encouragement and hope for the people of God. The expectation of our present
life and our eternal life is built upon Jesus. It is a glorious hope because of
His character and power.
A Revelation from God – Revelation 1:1-3:
The word translated "Revelation" is similar to our word
"apocalypse." The word means "a revealing," or "an
unveiling." It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is the Revelation of
Jesus Christ because it is from Him and it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ
because it is about Him. The person revealed in the Revelation is none other
than Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation shows us Jesus in His power and
majesty. We may not be able to understand every sign in this great book, but we
can understand the Christ revealed therein. He is not merely some figment of
the imagination or a person of the past. He is the one that is, and that was,
and that is to come.
The Revelation was made to God's servant to
show him things that would shortly come to pass. The object of the book was to
record a revelation about these important events. The time was at hand or near
for the fulfillment of these things at the time of the writing of the
book.
John said, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."
(Revelation 1:3) He said, "Blessed is he that readeth."
It is a blessing to be permitted to read the Revelation of God. This may be a
reference to public reading because the next statement has to do with those
"that hear the words of this prophecy." We learn God's will by
reading, hearing, studying and meditation. Those who have the opportunity to
become acquainted with God's revelation are highly favored. The readers and hearers
must also "keep those things which are written therein." None can be
right with God who does not obey those things that are their duty. The psalmist
said of God's commandments, "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and
in keeping of them there is great reward." (Psalm
Revelation begins with the formal greeting
used in many New Testament books. The greeting is that of grace and peace.
(Revelation 1:4) John identifies Jesus as being from everlasting. Jesus existed
in the past. He exists in the present. He will exist in the future. The most
profound part of the book of Revelation has to do with the fact that this
eternal one "loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood."
(Revelation 1:5) If we understand our own deep sinfulness, this seems almost
too good to be true.
A Revelation to the seven churches –
Revelation 1:9-11: On a certain Lord's day, from the Isle of Patmos, John was commanded to write this to the seven
churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos,
to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
These were not seven kinds of churches, but the
In this book John provided many word
pictures of Jesus, possibly none more vivid than when he called Him "Alpha
and Omega, the first and the last." Jesus clearly claimed to be God and to
have all the attributes of the Almighty.
A Revelation of Jesus Christ – Revelation
1:12-20: What a blessing this must have been to John
to see Jesus again. Jesus is pictured as standing in His magnificence in the
midst of these seven churches. He was "clothed with a garment down to the
feet and girded about the chest with a golden band." The picture of Jesus
was that of purity and wisdom. When we see "His eyes like a flame of
fire" we are aware of the judgment of God.
Everything in this vision speaks of the
strength, majesty, authority and righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Savior.
John was overwhelmed by this stunning vision and he fell at the feet of Jesus
as a dead man. Jesus helped John to understand by telling him that the seven
stars are the angels or messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp
stands are the seven churches. The chapter closed by John again being told to
write these things in a book.
Jesus' greatness, power, might and
sacrifice should move us to obey Him. The precious blood of Jesus cleanses
those who obey the gospel. To obey the gospel one must hear the salvation
message (Romans
By Charles Box,