This is the first of a series of posts that will
take us on a leisurely journey through the book of Revelation. I hope you will enjoy taking the opportunity
to meditate on small sections at a time.
This will be the first time I have taken a verse-by-verse approach on
this blog. My intent is to focus on the
main truths and thoughts that will encourage us as we await the Lord’s return
to take us home to the Father.
Revelation 1:1–3 “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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the
testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.”
John identifies the main
purpose of this book with the opening words—It is a revelation of Jesus
Christ. It is a book that reveals to us
the character of Jesus as He works to bring about the Father’s will throughout
His creation. He chose to reveal His
message through the use of signs, many of which will be understood by their
connection to Old Testament scriptures.
John makes the point that this record is his personal account as an
eyewitness.
Many pastors today are
robbing the people in their churches of blessing because they refuse to teach
this book. They think it is too hard to
understand, or they think the study of prophecy is a waste of time. I believe God gave us the scriptures because
He wants us to understand His will. He
even declares that prophecy provides a unique testimony to the truth of Who He
Is—YHWH, Jehovah, the self-existent eternal God, the One and only.
Isaiah 46:9–10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I
am God, and there is
none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done….”
As we study the prophecies
in scripture and see how they have been fulfilled throughout history, it helps
to establish a strong foundation for our faith as we look forward to His promises
to provide us a home in heaven in a resurrected body that is sinless and
incorruptible.
1 Corinthians 15:51–53 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not
all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality.”
God promises a blessing for
those who read this book, and His word
always accomplishes His purpose.
Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it.”
That blessing is also
promised to those who listen to the teaching of this book and hold fast to the
truths taught in this book. As the time
draws ever nearer to His second coming and the forces of evil gain more and
more influence in anticipation of the coming Antichrist, it is vital for every
man, woman and child of faith to hold fast to the truth and promises of God in
scripture. God wants us to know what to
expect and to know and understand that we can confidently rely on Him to
provide for and protect us through the empowerment and leading of His Holy
Spirit, our Comforter.
John 14:16–17 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because
it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with
you, and shall be in you.”
(to be continued…)
