THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

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…)