“The revelation of Jesus Christ, . . . .” These words open up one of the least understood and most misused books of the Bible. This book is full of strange images, monsters, angels, and portends of the End. What does it all mean? Let me begin with a couple of foundational points.
First - this book is a revelation. It’s intended to show something. In fact, the original name for this book, the Apocalypse, means, a revelation, disclosure or an unveiling. I think that idea of an unveiling is very helpful to understanding what God is doing here. He is pulling away the veil to help his people to understand (v.19) the things that are happening and what will happen. It is a God’s eye view of the events that are happening, and some of what is yet to happen.
Second – this book is a revelation of Jesus. Plain and simple, everything in this book has to do with Jesus, his salvation, and living in that salvation in this world. Revelation is not a guide book to divine the signs of the times. Revelation is a book that is intended to guide us to Jesus. In terms of growing God’s flock, this book is intended to grow us deeper. It is intended to help us trust in Jesus was we go through difficulties and a wide variety of troubles in this world. Indeed, very early on John records this doxology, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (that’s Jesus) and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming . . . . Amen.”
I’m going to throw in a third, because this is a pet peeve of mine. It is a (singular) revelation. I fear that calling this book Revelations (plural) is so engrained in our English language and American culture that it would be like fighting the tide to try to get people to call it what it is. However, this mindset is important. This book is not a bunch of visions about a bunch of things. It is one vision about one thing seen from several different directions. Really the focus of this book is Jesus’ lordship in care for His people from the time of His Ascension into heaven until the End, given to God’s people in a time where they faced sever persecution. It’s intended to be a book of comfort.
So, we begin with persecution. The apostle John received this revelation while he was in exile. He had been sent to the Isle of Patmos for proclaiming the Gospel by the Roman Emperor Domitian. John is likely quite old by now, and that might be part of why he was exiled instead of simply executed. So as he sits, in exile, on a Sunday (the Lord’s Day) and he is in the Spirit – that is he is worshipping. Even though he is being punished for worshipping and proclaiming Jesus’ salvation he continues to do it! God give us such courage!
As he worships, John says he hears a loud voice – like a trumpet blast instructing him to write what he sees and send it to the seven churches of Asia (modern day Turkey). As he turns to see who spoke, the vision begins – lampstands, and one like a son of man. Remember that “Son of Man” is one of Jesus’ favorite names for himself. John is saying, “I recognize him!” John has seen Jesus something like this before – on the Mount of Transfiguration! He is dressed as a priest, with God’s Word coming from his mouth – that’s what that sharp double edged sword is. Paul calls the Word the Sword of the Spirit and the writer to the Hebrews says God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword.
John sees all this and falls at Jesus feet as a corpse, until Jesus touches him. And here we hear two of the most important words in the book straight from Jesus’ lips. “Fear not.” He forgives our sins, raises us to life in his presence, and he is still active in our world and lives.
Father, thank you for this Revelation. As we work our way through what you showed John that day, help us to see how you protect us and provide for us in this world, and help us to focus on Jesus our Lord and savior who was dead, but is now alive forevermore! To him be all glory, with you O Father, and the Holy Spirit one God, now and forever! Amen.
First - this book is a revelation. It’s intended to show something. In fact, the original name for this book, the Apocalypse, means, a revelation, disclosure or an unveiling. I think that idea of an unveiling is very helpful to understanding what God is doing here. He is pulling away the veil to help his people to understand (v.19) the things that are happening and what will happen. It is a God’s eye view of the events that are happening, and some of what is yet to happen.
Second – this book is a revelation of Jesus. Plain and simple, everything in this book has to do with Jesus, his salvation, and living in that salvation in this world. Revelation is not a guide book to divine the signs of the times. Revelation is a book that is intended to guide us to Jesus. In terms of growing God’s flock, this book is intended to grow us deeper. It is intended to help us trust in Jesus was we go through difficulties and a wide variety of troubles in this world. Indeed, very early on John records this doxology, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (that’s Jesus) and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming . . . . Amen.”
I’m going to throw in a third, because this is a pet peeve of mine. It is a (singular) revelation. I fear that calling this book Revelations (plural) is so engrained in our English language and American culture that it would be like fighting the tide to try to get people to call it what it is. However, this mindset is important. This book is not a bunch of visions about a bunch of things. It is one vision about one thing seen from several different directions. Really the focus of this book is Jesus’ lordship in care for His people from the time of His Ascension into heaven until the End, given to God’s people in a time where they faced sever persecution. It’s intended to be a book of comfort.
So, we begin with persecution. The apostle John received this revelation while he was in exile. He had been sent to the Isle of Patmos for proclaiming the Gospel by the Roman Emperor Domitian. John is likely quite old by now, and that might be part of why he was exiled instead of simply executed. So as he sits, in exile, on a Sunday (the Lord’s Day) and he is in the Spirit – that is he is worshipping. Even though he is being punished for worshipping and proclaiming Jesus’ salvation he continues to do it! God give us such courage!
As he worships, John says he hears a loud voice – like a trumpet blast instructing him to write what he sees and send it to the seven churches of Asia (modern day Turkey). As he turns to see who spoke, the vision begins – lampstands, and one like a son of man. Remember that “Son of Man” is one of Jesus’ favorite names for himself. John is saying, “I recognize him!” John has seen Jesus something like this before – on the Mount of Transfiguration! He is dressed as a priest, with God’s Word coming from his mouth – that’s what that sharp double edged sword is. Paul calls the Word the Sword of the Spirit and the writer to the Hebrews says God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword.
John sees all this and falls at Jesus feet as a corpse, until Jesus touches him. And here we hear two of the most important words in the book straight from Jesus’ lips. “Fear not.” He forgives our sins, raises us to life in his presence, and he is still active in our world and lives.
Father, thank you for this Revelation. As we work our way through what you showed John that day, help us to see how you protect us and provide for us in this world, and help us to focus on Jesus our Lord and savior who was dead, but is now alive forevermore! To him be all glory, with you O Father, and the Holy Spirit one God, now and forever! Amen.
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