REVELATION Chapter 1
Revelation 1:1-3 -
The book of Revelation begins by stating that it contains a revelation from Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his followers about events that would happen soon. Jesus sent an angel to reveal this message to the apostle John, who faithfully recorded everything he saw and heard in this prophecy and testimony about Jesus. A blessing is pronounced on those who read Revelation aloud to the church, those who listen and understand its message, and those who obey what it teaches, because the time when these prophecies will be fulfilled is near.
The passage explains that Revelation is a type of biblical literature called apocalyptic prophecy. This means it uses symbolic visions and images to unveil the spiritual battle between good and evil that is happening behind the scenes of history, especially focusing on the end times. As prophecy, Revelation calls for an obedient response in light of coming events.
Revelation is also a letter written by the apostle John around 95 AD while exiled on Patmos. It was sent to seven specific churches in Asia Minor that were facing persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian. Understanding Revelation requires knowing about the original audience and situation.
The book originates from God the Father, and was transmitted through Jesus Christ to an angel, then to John. As God's word, Revelation is completely true and reliable. It testifies about who Jesus is and what he has done. Revelation promises blessings to those who read, hear, and obey its message about God's plan to save his people. The time when its prophecies will be fulfilled is said to be near.
Revelation 1:4-5 -
John the Apostle: The author identifies himself as John, referring to the beloved disciple of Jesus and author of the Gospel of John. He is depicted as an elderly, faithful servant of Christ, having pursued a lifelong calling of preaching the gospel and shepherding the church. John's commitment exemplifies the importance of persevering faithfulness in serving Christ.
The Seven Churches in Asia: The letters are addressed to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia, likely representing the church universal facing various challenges. The number seven symbolizes completion, indicating these letters speak to issues faced by believers in all times. Complacency and false doctrine seem prevalent, with persecution looming - a "wake up call" for any age.
God of Grace and Peace: While the book focuses heavily on Christ, the greeting emphasizes grace and peace flowing from the Father, Spirit, and Son - the triune God. This free gift of peace meets mankind's deepest needs and displays God's initiative to save sinners. The Trinity is the true source of the grace and peace believers require.
Threefold Description of Christ: Christ is presented as: 1) Faithful Witness: He fully and accurately makes God known, even by his sacrificial death. His faithfulness encourages believers facing persecution. 2) Firstborn from the Dead: By conqu ering death in his resurrection, he guarantees the future bodily resurrection of believers and continually intercedes for them. 3) Ruler of Kings: Despite earthly rulers, he sovereignly reigns over history to bring salvation to his people.
The descriptions present Jesus as Prophet (revealing God), Priest (securing salvation), and King (reigning forever). This threefold office undergirds the grace and peace he mediates to needy sinners.
Revelation 1:5-6 -
1. Worship and praise naturally flow from understanding what God has done through Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation contains songs of praise that intensify as the revelation of Christ's glory increases.
2. The doxology in Revelation 1:5-6 praises Christ for his present love, past redemptive work, and future return. It focuses especially on his love and his saving acts of freeing us from sin by his blood and making us his kingdom and priests.
3. Christ loves his people with a self-sacrificing love. His love aligns with God's love that moved him to send his Son to die for our salvation.
4. Christ freed us from the penalty and power of sin through his sacrificial death, dying as our substitute to pay the penalty for sins. This brought forgiveness and freedom.
5. Christ made us his kingdom, bringing us under his benevolent rule, and his priests, granting access to God and purpose in serving and worshiping him.
6. Our response should be to live as citizens and priests of Christ's kingdom, worshiping him in spirit and truth, proclaiming the gospel, and offering ourselves as living sacrifices of praise.
7. The doxology rightly ascribes glory, splendor, and dominion to Christ for his mighty acts of redemption. Our lives should similarly bring glory to him as redeemed people.
Revelation 1:8 -
1. The passage quotes from the prophet Daniel's vision in Daniel 7, where Daniel sees "one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven" to receive dominion and glory from the Ancient of Days (God). This links Jesus' second coming to Daniel's prophecy.
2. John appeals to Daniel to connect the situation of his readers - suffering persecution under oppressive rulers - to Daniel's situation in exile under Babylonian kings. Christians through the ages can identify with them as "exiles" awaiting Christ's return.
3. By alluding to Daniel's prophecy, John encourages believers that just as God judged the beastly idolatrous kingdoms in Daniel's time, he will overthrow the wicked powers of the world when Jesus returns. This is the "blessed hope" of believers.
4. When John speaks of Jesus returning "with the clouds," it signals his coming in power and divine glory as a conquering king, like God riding the clouds in the Old Testament.
5. John stresses every eye will see Jesus when he comes. This rules out a secret rapture theory. His coming will be visible and audible to all.
6. Unbelievers will mourn when they see the Jesus they rejected returning in glory. But it will be too late for them to repent.
7. For believers, Jesus' return inspires excitement and preparation through Bible study, spiritual growth, and gospel witness. The cry "Behold, he comes!" sums up the passage's emphasis on the visible return of Christ.
Revelation 1:7 -
The passage comes from the end of John's introduction to the book of Revelation. It serves to validate the message of the book by having God himself speak and identify himself as the eternal, all-powerful Sovereign over all history.
The statement "I am the Alpha and the Omega" expresses God's eternity - he exists before and after all things. As the beginning and end, God controls all that is in between.
The phrase "who is and who was and who is to come" conveys God's self-existence - he derives his being from within himself, independent of anything external. This relates to his immutability - his attributes and purposes do not change.
Calling God "the Almighty" (pantokrator) means he exercises sovereign power and dominion over all creation at all times. Nothing is beyond his control or ability.
Knowing God's sovereignty is meant to comfort suffering Christians. Life has purpose because an eternal, unchanging, all-powerful God is working out his plans.
God speaks in this passage to verify Revelation's message. Ultimately, God has revealed himself through his Son Jesus Christ, who is one with the great "I Am" of Exodus. Coming to God means believing in Christ.
Revelation 1:9-16 -
John was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel. He was likely enduring hardships and separation from his church.
While worshiping on the Lord's Day, John has a vision of the glorified Christ. This encourages John in the midst of his trials and is representative of the encouragement all believers need.
John describes himself as a "partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus." Suffering and endurance are the pathway to participating in Christ's kingdom.
John sees a vision of Christ as the divine Son of Man - exalted, glorious, and sovereign over all. This majestic picture of Christ brings comfort despite John's difficult circumstances.
The vision presents Christ in his three offices - Priest, making atonement for sin; King, ruling the nations; and Prophet, speaking the word of salvation. Together these depict the gospel message .
What all people need, including John and us today, is not just "Christian values" but Christ himself - his glorious person and the good news of his salvation. Knowing Christ by faith enables perseverance through trials.
Revelation 1:17-19 -
The passage discusses a debate over whether the book of Revelation describes events in John's time or future events before Christ's return. Revelation 1:19 is a key verse, outlining three sections - John's vision, present events through the church letters, and future events starting in chapter 4.
Overemphasizing the future orientation has diminished Revelation's influence. The opening vision highlights its present focus - Christ currently rules over the church and history. He appears as a Prophet, King, and Priest, underscoring his present care for the churches.
John's reaction of falling "as though dead" shows how sinners must respond to divine holiness with awe and terror over sin. This is illustrated by biblical figures like Isaiah, Job, Peter, and even Luther's first mass.
Two reasons explain this terror - the awe of creatures before the Creator and the dread of sinners before God's holiness. This sin awareness was missing in many casual, fun-focused churches today.
True spirituality involves awe of God, loathing of sin, and longing for grace. John turned to Christ, falling at his feet, the safest place despite the terror.
Christ's tender mercy is shown in touching John and saying "Fear not." This grace-fear pairing defines the Christian experience of being drawn and assured. Only here is Christianity's power known.
Jesus has the authority to banish fear as eternal God, present in all time and history. He removes trials at the right time, even under persecution, for eternal purposes.
Especially as "the living one" Jesus lifts up dead sinners like John with saving life and power. His words carry this life-giving power.
Through his death, Jesus conquers condemnation. Through his resurrection, he gives power for obedience. Having "keys of Death and Hades" he conquers our greatest fear.
Success comes not by unraveling Revelation's mysteries, but by knowing Jesus through faith and relying on his all-sufficiency despite every foe.