The book of Revelation begins with a statement of God’s desire for His servants, those who accept Jesus as LORD and Savior, to understand what our future holds. We are given a clue as to one reason He chooses to share this truth with us in the book of Genesis.
Gen. 18:17-19 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
He expects us to teach that truth to our family as well as others that we care about. He also expects that these truths will impact how we live our lives. The Apostle John is God’s chosen instrument to share this message with us.
God is the best Father, and He knows our human weaknesses. He encourages us to study the book of Revelation by promising us a blessing if we will invest our time and energy in carefully reading the Revelation record and treasuring its teachings. The more we understand of the truths presented in this book, the more visible should be its impact on how we live—in establishing priorities, in the choices we make, in our service to others, in our prayer life, etc.
The LORD chooses to address His message to seven specific churches in existence at the time that John received the Revelation. John is clear in identifying the author of the message as God—“Him which is…was…and is to come.”
Rev. 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
He then goes on to specifically connect this description to Jesus Christ. In verse 8 this description is expanded to identify Him as “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.” In other words, He was before all things (from the human perspective on earth) and will be the culmination of all things (from the human perspective on earth). Jesus is identified as the One who “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,” (verse 5) our Savior and Redeemer. He is also specifically identified as the Son of God.
John next shares the fact that Jesus is coming back to earth and will be visible to “every eye” in the process. It is most natural for us today to believe this possible only because of today’s technology, but I don’t think that is true. Even though I can’t explain how, I believe the glory of the LORD as He descends to earth will be seen by everyone—without the use of modern technology.
It’s also important to note that the LORD’s return will not be a welcome sight for many. John tells us, “all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” (verse 7)
John informs us that he was on the island of Patmos when he received the Revelation. This island was used as a prison camp for those deemed enemies of the Roman Empire. John was there at the decree of the Emperor Domitian. Why? For his public declaration of “the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (verse 9)
In verse 11 John begins a description of how he received the Revelation. Johns tells us that he was “in the Spirit,” and I believe he is referencing a special time of worship and communion with the LORD as described in Ephesians.
Eph. 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
All of a sudden John hears a voice behind him. It sounds like “a trumpet,” (verse 10) very strong and penetrating; and the owner identifies Himself as the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last” which is declared to be the LORD in verse 8. John is instructed to write what he sees in a book and to send it to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
John turns to see the speaker, and he sees the LORD standing in the middle of seven candlesticks. He is wearing an ankle-length robe with a gold belt around the breast. His hair is white like wool, and His eyes like a flame of fire. His feet are like glowing hot brass. His voice is described this time as sounding like many waters (strong and powerful). He is holding seven stars in His right hand and has a sword coming out of His mouth. His whole being shines like the sun.
This whole vision of the LORD is one of power, judgment, purity and holiness. The candlesticks are identified in verse 20 as the seven churches, and the seven stars are identified as the messengers of those churches. Hebrews 4:12 compares God’s word to a sword: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The vision was so amazing that John fainted at the feet of the LORD. The LORD strengthens him with the touch of His right hand and tells John not to be afraid. John should have understood that this same LORD Jesus whom he had seen crucified, dead, buried, risen and ascending to heaven hadn’t just disappeared into oblivion. He is alive and has complete authority over hell (a place) and death (a state of being).
John is again told to write what he has seen, what he is seeing pertaining to the present, and what he will see concerning the future.
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