PART 1 OF 3
Introduction
Many
authors have many books in Christian bookstores. The number of them concerning issues from the
Book of Revelation is large. Primarily
they all begin with scripture as the foundation. Judging by the divergence of opinion
concerning the symbols in Revelation, it seems that the numerous books
somewhere morph into platforms for speculative views.
We’ll seek to avoid that — instead we’ll try
to stay focused on the central message of the book, our Lord Jesus Christ and his complete victory—a victory he
shares with us. We start in chapter one
with vital background information.
The Focus of the Book
It
is Rev. 1:1a: “The revelation
of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants.”
The Greek word translated “revelation”
is “apokalupsis,” from which we get apocalypse. Unfortunately, apocalypse has come to mean chaos and catastrophe,
whereas originally it meant “unveiling” or “revealing.” It was also a type of
literature common from the 2nd century BC through the 1st
century AD. Jewish apocalyptic
literature used well-known symbols to unveil God’s purposes in history.
The purpose revealed in Revelation is
centered on Jesus. This book is a
revelation from Jesus and a revelation about Jesus—a message that brings Jesus’ “servants” the hope and
encouragement needed to stand faithful in the midst of terrible
persecution. The focus of Revelation is
the Lord Jesus and the great victory which he shares with us.
Jesus
is unveiled at the beginning of the book as the great Prophet
bearing a vital message about victory from God.
Then in chapters 1-3 he is unveiled as the Priest who
ministers to God’s people. Then in
Revelation 4–5, he is the glorified Lamb of God. In Revelation 6–18, he is Judge
of all; and in Revelation 19, he is the returning, victorious King.
The book closes with Jesus as the heavenly Bridegroom,
ushering the church, his bride, into the fullness of the glory he shares with
her. Through these revealing pictures of Jesus we come to see him as he truly
is, and that vision leads us to deeper faith and deeper worship of the one,
supreme Lord and Savior.
The Setting of the Book
Rev. 1:1-2, 9: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which
God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known [KJV: signified]
by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he
saw-- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. I, John, your brother and companion…was on
the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of
Jesus. I, John, am the one
who heard and saw these things (22:8).
Our
analysis of Revelation in this series adopts the view that John wrote around a. d. 95, during the reign of Roman
Emperor Domitian who was demanding worship as both lord and god. The refusal of Christians to meet his demand
led to persecution that was growing more intense as John writes this letter
from the Island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony off the coast of Asia Minor
where he had been exiled as a Christian leader.
There Jesus gave John
this message—some parts through an audible voice, others through visions. It is God’s message, given to Jesus, and in
turn to John. And now through John, it is given to us. The Holy Spirit is involved throughout.
In
verse one, we are told concerning this message that Jesus “made it known“(the KJV says that Jesus “signified”
it). The noun form of the word is
translated in Revelation as sign (15:1),
wonder (12:1, 3) and miracle
(19:20). John used the same
word in his Gospel to refer to key miracles that were identifying “signs” of
Jesus’ true identity as fully God and fully human. Revelation uses “signifying”
symbols of its own—quite vivid ones. It does so for at least three
reasons:
·
To
reveal Jesus’ identity as the one Lord and God who alone is worthy of worship
(not Domitian, or any other human ruler).
·
To
convey this message using Jewish apocalyptic imagery that was quite familiar to
the original readers. Why this
style? Mainly so that the message would
be understandable to Christians but not to Roman authorities out to persecute
Christians.
·
To
speak encouragement into the hearts of Christians who were enduring terrible
persecution—symbols are the language of the heart—and most of the symbols used
by John were taken directly from the Old Testament scriptures (largely from
Daniel, which also uses apocalyptic
imagery), well known by his readers
(Revelation makes nearly 300 Old Testament references).
What
we learn is that the symbolism of Revelation is given to encourage, not scare;
to reveal, not conceal. These symbols may seem strange to us, but they were not
strange to the original readers who
would have understood them in their Old Testament context. It is that context
that we must respect and adhere to and not bring in wild speculations.
It’s
worth noting here a primary symbol in Revelation—the number seven. There are
seven blessings (beatitudes)—1:3; 14:13;
16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. Seven
signifies fullness and completeness—a series of sevens assure us (despite
circumstances that seem to say otherwise) that God, through Jesus, will complete
his great plan and usher in the fullness of his kingdom. In Revelation, we find this message of
encouragement in seven seals (5:1),
seven trumpets (8:6), seven vials (16:1), seven stars (1:16), and seven lamp stands (1:12,
20). We’ll see other “sevens” as we
go and we’ll see that they all point to Jesus and his supremacy over all that
is, including all evil.
Recipients
Rev.
1:3–4: Blessed is the one who reads the words of this
prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written
in it, because the time is near. John, to the seven churches in the province of
Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne,
While
the book was originally sent to seven actual congregations in Asia Minor that
were facing intense persecution, John makes it clear that there is a special
blessing for all who hear and obey the book’s message. No believer should study this book merely to
satisfy their curiosity. When John first
received it, he fell down in worship (1:17). We need to approach this book as
wonderers and worshipers. Indeed it is intended to be a book that leads us to
worship, not speculation.
Dedication
Rev.
1:4–6: John, To the seven churches in the province of
Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the
faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of
the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and
has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be
glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
John
dedicates this book to the true object of worship: our Triune God. God the Father is the Eternal One (who is,
was and is to come). All history is part
of his plan, including the world’s persecution of the church. Next, the Holy
Spirit is seen as seven spirits (meaning completion and fullness). And Jesus is seen in his threefold office as
Prophet (faithful witness), Priest (firstborn from the dead), and King (ruler
of the kings of the earth). Firstborn
is a title of honor. Jesus is the highest of all those yet to be raised
from the dead. This Jesus, this supreme one,
is the one who loves us.
This parallels the emphasis in John’s Gospel. He also freed us from
our sins. This parallels the message
of John’s epistles (see 1 John 1:5ff).
As a grand climax, Jesus has made us a
kingdom and priests (or a “kingdom of priests”), and this is the
emphasis of Revelation. Today Jesus is a
Priest-King and we are seated with him on his throne (Eph. 2:1–10). In his love,
God called Israel to be a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:1–6), but the Jews failed God and their kingdom was taken
from them (Mat. 21:43). Today, God’s people (the church) are his
kings and priests (1Pet. 2:1–10),
exercising spiritual authority and serving God in this world.
Theme
Rev.
1:7–8: Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye
will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will
mourn because of him. So shall it be!
Amen. "I
am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was,
and who is to come, the Almighty."
The
overriding theme of the Book of Revelation is Jesus and his total victory. This victor and his victory will one day be
seen by all at Jesus’ “coming with the
clouds” (see Daniel 7:13). This was a compelling vision for the original
recipients of this book because it looked like Christians were headed for total
defeat. But through the eyes of faith it
is seen that we stand victorious in Jesus who is the Alpha and Omega—the
beginning and the culmination of all history (and Lord of all that is in
between). Jesus is in control! He is the Almighty, able to do
anything. These titles are applied elsewhere in Revelation to God the
Father. Thus we have strong testimony to
the divinity of Jesus.
Occasion
Rev.
1:9–18: This book was born out of John’s profound
encounter with the risen Lord Jesus while exiled on the island of Patmos.
a.
What
John heard (vv. 9–11)
I, John, your brother and companion in the
suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the
island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I
heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a
scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
On
a particular Lord’s Day—Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection—John heard a
trumpet-like voice behind him. It was
Jesus speaking! The Lord commissioned
John to write this book and to send it to seven Christian churches that were
located in Asia Minor—listed here in the order they were reached by road
starting out from the city of Ephesus. It will be important for us to note that
Revelation has this particular historic setting and audience.
b.
What
John saw (vv. 12–16)
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking
to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the
lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching
down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair
were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing
fire. His feet were like bronze glowing
in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and
out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun
shining in all its brilliance.
John
saw a vision of the risen, glorified, exalted man Jesus come to judge evil and
to defend his people. Revelation 1:20 makes clear that we
must not interpret this vision literally, for it is made up of symbols. The seven lampstands represent the seven
churches that received this book.
Christ’s garments are those of a Judge-King—one with great honor and
authority. The white hair symbolizes his eternality, “the Ancient of Days” (Dan. 7:9, 13, 22).
His eyes see all (Rev. 19:12), enabling him to judge righteously. His feet of burning brass suggest judgment,
since the brazen altar was the place where the fire consumed the sin
offering. The Lord has indeed to judge
the churches, and he will also judge the evil world system that is currently
greatly persecuting God’s people.
The
voice of this Jesus is like the “sound of
rushing waters” (Rev. 1:15). He speaks with power and authority and must be
heard. The sword from his mouth is his
own word for he bears all the authority of God and is thus able to defeat all
opposition (Rev. 2:16; 19:19–21). Revelation
1:20 informs us that the seven stars in his hand are angels—apparently
representing the individual churches.
His shining countenance reminds us of his transfiguration (Mat. 17:2) and also the prophecy of Malachi 4:2 concerning “the Sun of righteousness” who
illuminates all darkness, bringing blessing and judgment.
c.
What
John did (vv. 17–19)
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though
dead. Then he placed his right hand on
me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I
am alive for ever and ever! And I hold
the keys of death and Hades. Write,
therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”
John
prostrated himself in awe and reverence before this Jesus, now seen in all his
glory. The picture here, and indeed the
context of this whole book is that of worship. The Lord reassured John: “Do not be afraid.” We need not fear life, because our Lord
is “the Living One.” We need not fear
death, because he died and is alive forever, having conquered death. And we need not fear eternity because he
holds the keys of death (Hades). The One
with the keys is the One who has all authority. It is this Jesus who now gives
John the assignment to testify (“write”) concerning what he will be shown. The book of Revelation is his testimony.
John
encountered Jesus in amazing, illuminating ways. And, indeed, this book
is given to tell of this encounter. Some
see it as a mysterious book, largely because of its rather (to us) strange
symbols. But remember, these symbols
were understood by the original readers.
So it’s a book of revealing, not concealing. It’s a
book given to inspire hope and confidence in Jesus, despite all the
difficulties around us (even terrible persecution for the original readers, and
many since). So let’s journey together
through this amazing book. Let us encounter Jesus there and may that encounter
lead us to trust and worship him.
Christ and his church:
1:20; 2:1-29
1: 20 “The mystery of the seven stars that you saw
in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars
are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven
churches.”
In
a vision, Jesus is speaking through the Spirit with John—now he speaks of
“seven golden lampstands” symbolizing “seven churches,” each identified with a
messenger “star” (perhaps an angel, a pastor, or both). The Lord holds these churches in his right
hand (he’s in sovereign!). These seven
churches are the congregations in Asia Minor that originally received this
letter. John knows all seven well, but Jesus knows them better, for he alone,
“searches hearts and minds” (2:23) as the one who uniquely is fully God and
fully human—one with God in the Trinity, and one with all humanity
through the Incarnation. And now this God-man, shares his personal
concerns and assessments related to the spiritual condition of these seven
churches. His assessments, if heeded, will benefit these specific
congregations—and also all believers and churches down through the ages, that
have “an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2:7). Let us
be among those who hear and, in hearing, let us be among those who heed!
And so we begin with prayer: “Come to us Lord
Jesus, through the unveiling word of the Spirit; we’re listening.”Amen.
Editors' Note: Thanks to Rev.George Relic for his editing work on this series.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor,
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.
2101 Old National Pike.
Washington,
Pennsylvania. www.gcfountainoflife.org
The
Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in
Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area
of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
No comments:
Post a Comment