Taking the Cover Off

Revelation 1:1-8

 

INTRO: The book of Revelation takes the cover off the future, revealing events that are yet to take place.

There are two threads that run through the Bible: the scarlet thread of blood redemption and the golden thread of the second coming of Christ. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is the COMMENCEMENT of prophecy, and the Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is the CONSUMMATION of prophecy.

"The Book of Revelation is the final and finishing touch to the prophetic picture. Prophecy remains unfilled and unfinished until the Book of Revelation brings it to fulfillment" (Tucker 9).

The book is outlined in Rev 1:19.

Past- Ch 1 Risen Christ

Present- Ch 2-3 Letters to churches

Future- Ch 4-22 Rapture & events thereafter

The historical division of the book:

1. Pre-tribulation Ch 1-3; Pre-millennial- Ch 1-19

Millennial- Ch 20

Post-millennial- Ch 20:7-22:6.

 

 

VS 1a, THE THEME

The theme or subject of this book is "the Revelation of Jesus Christ."

The Greek word for "revelation" is apocalypse which means ‘the uncovering." With the book of Revelation, the lid of prophecy is lifted.

Note that it is not the book of Revelations; it is the book of Revelation.

In this book, we have many visions, but one Revelation.

Through the years, many folks have thought of the Book of Revelation as a concealed book; but it is a revealed book.

The precious Holy Spirit of God delights to reveal what God has communicated in His Word. "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children forever" (Deut 29:29).

 

 

VS 1b, THE AUTHOR

The author is God. Note progression of the Revelation as seen here in verse one: God Christ Angel John Servants

At the end of the book, Revelation 22:8, we see John the Revelator at the feet of the angel to whom Christ had given it, having received it from God the Father.

In Rev 22:6, we see that this message was to be revealed to the servants of God: you and I.

At the end as at the beginning, we see the Revelation progress: God Christ Angel John Servants.

 

 

VS 1c, PURPOSE

"To show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass....." The purpose of the book is:

To show us thing to come. This is what the Holy Spirit will do for the praying believer (John 16:13).

To encourage and enlighten God’s servants:

We are enlightened as the Holy Spirit lifts the lid on the truths of the Revelation.

We are encouraged to know that Jesus is the victor, and we share in that victory.

 

 

VS 2, JOHN’S TESTIMONY

John is God’s penman. What John wrote by inspiration is "the word of God," and it is "the testimony of Jesus Christ."

We believe in plenary verbal inspiration.

"Bare record" is to give testimony. We are to bare testimony of what God has done for us.

John received the message from an angel. The angel got it form Christ; and Christ from God.

 

VS 3, THE BLESSINGS

To the born again believer, the book of Revelation is a blessing: a blessing to read and to hear.

This great book, the Revelation, has seven blesseds:

For those who read and hear it (1:3).

For those who die in grace, dying in the Lord (14:13).

For those who look for the coming of Christ (16:15).

For each one attending the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9).

For those who will be a part of the first resurrection (20:6).

For those who believe and keep the contents of the Revelation (22:7).

For believers who keep His commandments (22:14).

 

 

VSS 4-8, THE SALUTATION

Vs 4, John wrote of seven local, visible, literal churches.

"In Asia"-- a province in Asia Minor.

Grace and peace are sent from the Lord God to these seven churches. Grace to strengthen and peace to comfort.

God the Father is described as He:

"Which is"-- present,

"Which was"-- past,

"Which is to come" – future.

"Seven Spirits"-- Seven– perfection and completeness, speaking of Christ the perfect Lamb of God.

Vs 5, Jesus, the Son of God, is described as "the faithful witness." This refers to His work as Prophet.

"The first begotten of the dead"-- this refers to His work as Priest:

He died for our sins, the perfect offering, the blood sacrifice.

He was buried, and He rose again the third day.

Christ was the first to rise to die no more, the first to have a new and glorious body.

"Prince of the kings of the earth." This speaks of His work as King, the ruler of kings, the King of Kings. (19:16).

Vs 6, This verse and the last of verse five tells us about the relationship of Christ and the saved.

Vs 5c, He "loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14).

He loved us when we were unlovely and without strength.

Romans 5:6-8.

"Hath made us kings...." the aorist tense refers to the time of our salvation, when we were appointed kings forever.

"And priests...." This is the priesthood of the believer (5:10).

"To him be glory and dominion..."

"Glory" and honor and praise He deserves; He is worthy (Rev 5:12).

"Dominion" He is the ruler of the universe; He is sovereign; He is in control; He has the authority and power to rule.

Vs 7, Christ will return to this earth one day.

Yes, He will come in the clouds at the rapture, but the world of the lost will not see Him and a strong delusion will settle on most of the men of earth.

He is coming to set up His kingdom at the end of the tribulation. "Every eye shall see him...." including the Jews who "pierced him."

Vs 8, He is the "alpha and omega." These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

He will keep on being the beginning and the ending.

He is the eternal everlasting God "which is, and which was, and which is to come."

"The almighty."

Omnipotent

Omniscient

Omnipresent

 

CONCLUSION: In these first eight verses, we are introduced to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior.

---