Revelation 1:1-3; 9-11
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known 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. 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.
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 aloud 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."
One of the most common misconceptions of the last book of the Bible, the book called “Revelation,” is that it reveals to us how the world will end.
Now, in fairness, the book does include fantastic apocalyptic images of beasts and dragons; wars and plagues; fire and destruction. Revelation does clearly indicate that the world as we know it is temporary when set against the eternal world for which we were created. But the author begins by saying quite clearly the intent of the book:
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.
This opening sentence can be understood in two ways.
First, we can read it as saying that Jesus is going to reveal to us what is going to happen as God brings about the end of this world and the inauguration of his eternal kingdom. And that is true, although not in the sense many assume.
The second way to understand what John is saying is to see the whole book of Revelation as being, first and foremost, about revealing Jesus; who he is; and the role he will play in the drama that will be the consummation and judgment of all things.
I think it’s a mistake to focus on what Revelation may say or not say about how history will end. It’s much more important to focus on what Revelation says about Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:17-18
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 forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
John is telling us Jesus Christ is the eternal One.
Revelation 4:11-12
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
John is affirming that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Revelation 19:11-16
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Here John sees Jesus as the conquering king of heaven who will come to judge all things.
Years ago I heard a speaker point out that in the ancient world a king would often ride into a conquered city on a white horse as a symbol of his power and strength. The Bible tells us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem before his arrest and crucifixion he rode on a donkey, which was the symbol of humility. The book of Revelation tells us that the next time we see Jesus he will come not on a donkey, but a white horse; he will be coming not in humility but in his triumphant glory.
Indeed, the apocalyptic images of Revelation seem to point to the world falling into terrible turmoil before the end comes. But we need not fear all of that because the one revealed to us in Revelation the One who is the first and the last; the One who is sovereign king of heaven and earth; the One who will judge the living and the dead; and the One who was slain so that we can know the hope of his salvation in the New Heaven and New Earth.
The One revealed in the book of Revelation is Jesus Christ.
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