PROLOGUE - Revelation 1:1-8

 

Prologue

Revelation 1:1-8

 

Christ is pictured as:

1. Glorified Son of Man (1:12-16)

2. Lion of Judah (5:5)

3. Worthy Lamb (5:8-13)

4. Son who will rule all (12:5)

5. Bridegroom (19:7-9)

6. Conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords (19:16)

7. Rightful Ruler of His Earthly (20:4-6) and Eternal (22:1, 3) Kingdoms.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John (1:1).

Revelation of Jesus Christ – The word revelation (ἀποκάλυψις apokálupsis, Gk.), is a word which means “to reveal, uncover, unveil, or disclose; referring to the Second Coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7, 13).” It appears 18 times in the New Testament. Christ’s first coming was an epipháneia (2 Timothy 1:10); the second, an apokálupsis, will be far more glorious.

Revelation reveals Christ in exaltation:

1. Blazing Glory (chapter 1)

2. Over His church, as Lord (chapters. 2 & 3)

3. His Second Coming, as He takes back the earth from Satan and establishes His Kingdom (chapters. 4-20)

4. He lights up the Eternal State (chapters. 21-22)

 Signified it by His angel – The word signified (σημαίνω sēmaínō, Gk.) means “a mark, sign; to give a public sign or signal.” In the New Testament it is to signify, make known, and declare figuratively by some kind of sign. (John 12:33; 18:32; 21:19; Acts 11:28; 25:27. It is wrong though to classify the entire book as a book of signs and symbols, suggesting that they cannot be taken literally. There is far more in the book of Revelation that should be accepted literally than should be spiritualized. The word angel or angels is used 71 times in the book of Revelation.

 Who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw (1:2).

Bore witness (μαρτυρέω marturéō, Gk) to the word of God, and to the testimony (μαρτυρία marturía, Gk) of Jesus Christ – A witness is one who has information or knowledge of something, and hence, one who can give information, bring to light, or confirm something (Matthew 18:16; 26:65; Mark 14:63; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:22; 5:32; 7:58; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28).  John bore witness to the prophetic Word of God in the heavenly visions and shared that information with others (Revelation 1:9; 12:17). It is the confirmation of the Apostle’s faithfulness and spiritual integrity.

1. The Word of God –The entire book was inspired by God.

2. The Testimony of Jesus Christ – The statements made by Christ Himself to John throughout the book. It is also the announcement of the gospel, the apostolic preaching of Christ as determined by the Apostle’s testimony (v. 2, “all things that he saw”). This testimony especially concerns Christ and is based upon a personal knowledge of Him (Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 20:4).

3. The Things that he saw – The future events in heaven and on earth.

 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near (1:3)

Blessed -  First of 7 beatitudes (Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 14). Seven (7) is the number of completeness and perfection and is mentioned 54 times in Revelation. Reading, hearing, and obeying are the truths taught in the book of Revelation, and the rest of Scripture.

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne (1:4).

 

7 churches – These cities were located in Asia Minor (Turkey). The 7 churches were located in the key cities of 7 postal districts into which Asia was divided. It was the central point for disseminating information.

Grace (χάρις cháris, Gk) to you and peace (εἰρήνη eirḗnē, GK) from Him – Grace is particularly that which causes “joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude.” It is a favor done without expectation of return; “the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.” It includes the idea of every kind of favor, blessing, good, as proceeding from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3).

Peace is the present possession of the believer, and in general it denotes the state of the Christian in this present life. Jesus states in His farewell promise, “My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). It is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God and consequently content with its earthly lot, whatever it is. This is the direct result of redemption by Christ (Ephesians 2:15, 17). It is often used in a broader sense to denote all the blessings which accompany and flow from that reconciliation (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:16). God’s peace is independent of outside conditions and is the fruit of an objective, real salvation with God.

Who was, who is, who is to come – God’s eternal presence is not limited by time. He is presently happening, ever existing (Exodus 3:14: Hebrews 13:8). This is also a reference to the Holy Trinity or the triune God. It is an encompassing expression that connotes the eternity of God.

7 spirits – This speaks of the Holy Spirit in His fullness (Revelation 5:6; Isaiah 11:2). It is the perfect Holy Spirit complete throughout the world in presence and knowledge.

Lampstand – 7 lamps - Menorah (Zechariah 3:9; 4:1-10) - symbolic of the kinds of churches that exist through all of church history.

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (1:5).

3 Titles:

1. The Faithful Witness - (Isaiah 55:4; Psalm 89:37). He is reliable, trustworthy, able to be believed, always speaking truth (Revelation 3:14; John 18:37). He was a perfect witness to the nature of God. Prophet – Robe.

2. Firstborn from the Dead - Firstborn (πρωτότοκος prōtótokos, Gk.) means “first in preeminence, an inherent right by virtue of His nature.” Christ is supreme in redemption as well as in creation. Of all those who have ever been raised from the dead, He is the Chief, the Preeminent One to be resurrected in a glorified body, which also guarantees our ultimate resurrection (Psalm 89:27; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). The present tense indicates permanence and perpetuity. He is always preeminent. Priest – Sash.

3. The Ruler of the kings of the earth - Christ has absolute sovereignty over the affairs of this world to which He has the title deed (Revelation 5:1). King – lamp. He is:

1. Supreme Monarch of the World (Philippians 2:9-11)

2. King of Heaven (Daniel 4:37)

3. King of Israel (John 1:49)

4. King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17)

5. King of Glory (Psalm 24:7)

6. King of Saints (Revelation 15:3)

7. King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16)

3 works:

1. Who loved us - He loved (loves) us – present continuous action. Christ loves believers with an unbreakable love (Romans 8:35-39).

2. Washed us -Washed (freed) us from our sins – past completed work.

3. His own blood – He paid the price with His own blood, the only detergent that gets sin out.

And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (1:6).

Kings and priests – Kingdom of priests - we enter into the Kingdom by faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:12).

1. Holy Priests – We offer spiritual sacrifices to God – our persons, possessions, praise, and service. He grants us the privilege of direct access to the Father (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

2. Royal Priests – We tell forth the Excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Glory (δόξα doxa, Gk) –Giving glory to God is ascribing to Him His full recognition. In Revelation 4:11, “to receive the glory” means to be extolled in praises; in ascriptions of glory or praise to God. Spoken especially of the celestial splendor in which God sits enthroned and His divine brightness, dazzling majesty, radiant glory (2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 1:17; Revelation 15:8; 21:11, 23, 22:5).  It is spoken of Christ and includes the idea of His royal majesty as Messiah (Luke 24:26; John 17:5, 22, 24; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Peter 1:11). God’s glory revealed itself in and through Jesus Christ (John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3).

Dominion (κράτος krátos, Gk) – It is “strength or might, more especially manifested power, dominion,” and denotes the presence and significance of force or strength rather than its exercise. It is the great, mighty, powerful, manifested power of God to perfect creation.

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen (1:7).

Coming with clouds – This is the same scene in Daniel 7:13 as the Son of Man is bestowed upon Him an Everlasting Kingdom that will not pass away. Clouds of glory (Matthew 24:30, Acts 1:11). Clouds in scripture frequently symbolize God’s presence (Exodus 16:10; 19:16; Numbers 10:34; 1 Kings 8:10-12; Acts 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). The clouds picture Christ’s descent from Heaven.

They who pierced Him – Jews (Acts 2:22-23, 3:14-15; Zechariah 12:10). Their mourning (wail) will be one of genuine repentance.

All the tribes of the earth – Result of guilt for sin and fear of punishment (Genesis 3:8-10, Revelation 6:16).  This is a reference to the unbelieving Gentile nations.

Will mourn (κόπτω kóptō, Gk.) – It means “to beat the breast or cut oneself in loud expressions of grief, to lament, wail.” This was associated with mourning due to the pagan’s cutting themselves in extreme grief or despair. The Gentiles mourning will be prompted by terror and repentance over their doom.

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

I AM- first time mentioned in the book of Revelation.

Alpha and Omega – First and last letters of Greek Alphabet. He is almighty from the beginning to the end of all creation. He has all knowledge and knows everything.

Who was, who is, who is to come – God’s eternal presence is not limited by time. He is presently happening, ever existing (Exodus 3:14: Hebrews 13:8).

The Almighty – (παντοκράτωρ pantokrátōr, Gk) – Almighty is a word that denotes “all power, strength, dominion. Ruler over all, omnipotent, almighty, spoken only of God” (2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22; 2 Samuel 5:10; 7:25, 27; Job 5:17; 8:5).” Almighty God is found 8 times in Revelation. God’s power is supreme over all. Nothing can prevent Him from carrying out His Sovereign will, or possibly prevent Christ from returning in glory.

Omnipotent (Revelation 19:6).

 

 

 

©2012 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.