INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

In view of recent events in the Middle East and Europe, I thought, now would be a good time to consider the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible.  It is a challenging book and yet it promises blessing to the responsive reader who listens to and applies its content (Revelation 1:3).  It is also a debated book with various interpretations depending on how you approach the content.  I will consider it from a futurist perspective, which is based on John writing the book after the destruction of the temple in AD70 and taking the content literally, while accounting for the many symbols used within it.

Some historical context is helpful to grasp its significance to the original audience of seven churches in Asia Minor, addressed in chapters two and three.  The apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos (1:9), which was used as a prison by the Romans, because of his faith in and testimony about Jesus Christ.  This took place when Domitian was the Roman emperor, and the Christian faith was being persecuted.

Suetonius (Roman historian) writes of the emperor Domitian (AD 51–96), “after making free with the wives of many men, he went so far as to marry Domitia Longina, who was the wife of Aelius Lamia.” Domitian “slew Aelius Lamia for joking remarks, which were reflections on him, it is true, but made long before and harmless.”  He also relates that when his brother Titus “was seized with a dangerous illness,” Domitian “ordered that he be left for dead, before he had actually drawn his last breath.” When Cornelia, the chief vestal virgin, was found guilty of having a lover, Domitian had her “buried alive; and her lovers were beaten to death with rods.” He seduced his niece, who was married, and eventually “became the cause of her death by compelling her to get rid of a child of his by abortion.”  Domitian was a moral catastrophe of a man and physically unimpressive. There is an account of him vigorously scratching a festered wart on his forehead and drawing blood. He is described as being “sensitive about his baldness” and as having “a protruding belly, and spindling legs.” This weak and wicked Caesar insisted on being addressed as “Lord and God” (Dominus et deus).

With such a horrendous ruler over the empire, Christians needed assurance of who was in charge and what the end was like, which this book clearly provided.  John is the last surviving apostle and needed this encouragement also, especially while in exile on Patmos.  The opening chapter sets the context for the rest of the book as it reveals the author, John, the recipients, the seven churches of Asia Minor, its purpose, “blessing” and its main character, the glorified Christ.

I. PROLOGUE                     Revelation 1:1-3

The book opens with a summary of its primary focus and content.  It is the revelation concerning Jesus Christ (1:1), which is then explained in the subsequent descriptions of His person, position and power. God gives this revelation to His servant John so that the church knows what is ahead.  John is a faithful witness to God’s existing revelation and this future revelation of Jesus Christ, which he personally experienced (1:2).

As a strong incentive to learn and apply the contents of this book, a spiritual blessing is promised in view of the imminency of its prophecy (1:3).

The terms “soon take place” and “the time is near” do not demand an immediate or near fulfilment in time as we know it (cf. 2 Peter 3:8).  Compared with the Old Testament prophecies of Daniel, these events are now ready to be fulfilled because Christ has come preparing the world for them.  A gap of two thousand years does not invalidate this perspective and only serves to make their fulfilment all the more soon or near.

II. GREETING                     Revelation 1:4-8

John then greats his audience as the seven churches in Asia, which is modern Turkey (1:4a).  The book of Revelation was a circular correspondence to seven actual churches located in a sequence geographically that provided an easy itinerary for a visiting messenger to each one.

It seems that these seven churches are selected because John has close ties to them, and they are representative of the various spiritual states of churches throughout church history.  This will become apparent as they are covered in subsequent messages on Revelation chapters two and three.

The greeting is typical of New Testament communications, including both grace and peace, but the elaboration of the source is more detailed (1:4b-5a).  This is an extended Trinitarian greeting from the eternal Father, “him who is and who was and who is to come”; the Holy Spirit, “the seven spirits who are before his throne” (cf. Zechariah 4:1-10); and the Son, “Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth”.

John then expresses a doxology to Jesus as the one “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (1:5b-6a).  The present tense for “loves us” communicates the continuing love of Jesus for His Church, which is unique in the New Testament.  Its result is freedom from sin, inclusion in a kingdom and access to God, which are remarkable benefits for unworthy sinners.

No wonder, John ascribes eternal glory and dominion to Jesus (1:6b) and then asserts His coming again (1:7).  Jesus Christ comes with the clouds, which conjures up the description in Daniel 7:13 and used in Matthew 24:30; 26:64 and Mark 13:26; 14:62.  This is a public appearance to the whole earth, which prompts distress for those guilty of His death and unrepentant at His coming.

To emphasise the certainty of Jesus’ return, John records the words of the Father.  He is the infinite one, “the Alpha and the Omega”, the eternal one, “who is and who was and who is to come”, and the omnipotent one, “the Almighty” (1:8).

III. JOHN'S COMMISSION                               Revelation 1:9-11

John now describes himself and his circumstances (1:9).  He is a fellow believer, participant in suffering and member of the kingdom, with the necessity of perseverance, all of which are sourced in Christ.  Consequently, John is on Patmos as punishment for his faithfulness to the Scriptures and bearing witness to Jesus.

While on Patmos, he experiences a spiritual revelation, probably on the usual day of worship, Sunday, referred to as “the Lord’s day” (1:10).  He hears a “loud voice like a trumpet”, which emphasises its authority and inescapable communication.  It commands him to write what he sees in a scroll and send it to seven churches, clearly identified by name.

This commission to write is repeated at the end of the vision that John sees of the glorified Christ (1:19), which forms a natural outline of the subsequent content.  We will revisit that outline when we get to verse nineteen.

IV. THE VISION OF JESUS CHRIST                Revelation 1:12-20

In response to the dramatic communication, John turns to see who was speaking to him and encounters an imposing figure (1:12a).  He is surrounded by seven golden lampstands, which are later explained as representing the seven churches being sent this written communication (1:20).  The person is the glorified Jesus Christ, who stands as sovereign over the churches.

    THE RISEN CHRIST DESCRIBED      1:12b-16

The descriptions emphasise his qualifications as the Messianic King.  He is the promised Messiah identified as “like a son of man” (Daniel 7:13 cf. Revelation 1:7) with regal dignity expressed in the “long robe” and “golden sash” (1:13).  His hair is pure white and his eyes are like flaming fire (1:14), corresponding to the description in Daniel 7:9, which emphasises his wisdom and purity, with longevity and fierceness.  His feet are “burnished bronze” aglow with the heat of a furnace, further emphasising his purity in walking among the churches (1:15a).  His voice is now described “like the roar of many waters”, which reinforces its power and authority for the messages to the seven churches and the rest of the book (1:15b).

He holds seven stars in His right hand (1:16a), which are described as “the angels of the seven churches” later in this chapter (1:20).  Several options are held on the meaning of this reference: 1. Angelic beings; 2. Church pastors/leaders; 3. Human messengers.  I think the third option is best, as those responsible for the delivery of this revelation to each church.  That Jesus holds them in His right hand indicates His authority over and control of them.

From His mouth exits a “sharp two-edged sword”, which refers to a large-bladed sword of Thracian origin (1:16b).  This represents Christ’s judicial authority and power of command over all the earth, reinforced by the sword being “two-edged” (cf. Revelation 19:15 – “sharp sword” from His mouth bringing judgement).

Finally, Christ’s face was “like the sun shining in full strength” (1:16c). which captures the glorious nature of the ascended Christ.

    JOHN’S RESPONSE AND CHRIST’S ASSURANCE     1:17-20

John is so overwhelmed by his vision of Jesus that he “fell at his feet as though dead” (1:17a).  This is reminiscent of Isaiah’s response to his vision of God in the temple (Isaiah 6) and Daniel’s vision of a glorious being (Daniel 10:5-14), which matches this event well.  It is the appropriate response to one so glorious.

Jesus responds to John with assurance, laying His right hand on him and alleviating his fear (1:17b).  He can do so as “the first and the last” (1:17c), and “the living one” whose death paid for John’s salvation and resurrection to life forever more guarantees John’s eternity (1:18a).  Jesus alone has the “keys of Death and Hades” (1:18b), which determine the future destiny of all humanity.

Having assured John, Jesus then reiterates the commission to write what he has seen, are now and will take place after (1:19).  This covers the completed vision of Christ (chapter one), the messages to the seven churches (chapters two and three) and the prophesies concerning earth’s future (chapters four to twenty-two).

The final verse gives an explanation of the seven stars and seven golden lampstands (1:20), so that John is without doubt about the authority of Christ over the churches about to receive specific messages from Jesus to each of them.

    CONCLUSION:

I wonder how you respond to the glorified Christ.  As much as we do not see Him with our eyes as John did, we do see Him revealed in the Scriptures, especially this passage before us today.

Our spiritual journey is a walk of faith not sight, yet by faith we entrust ourselves to this glorified Lord and Saviour.  I hope this vision of Jesus Christ strengthens your faith in Him and stimulates your obedience to Him.

Revelation promises blessing to those who know and apply its truths.  I encourage you to dive into this remarkable book and gain the blessing that God promises for reading it with application.

The glorified Christ is worthy of our total commitment, persistent obedience and faithful service.  Let’s grasp the opportunity for blessing in response to God’s revelation of Him.