https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Revelation+1
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Saturday, 5 October 2024:
Note: Here is a video overview of Revelation 1-11: https://youtu.be/5nvVVcYD-0w
Revelation 1:1 – The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.
This is not a revelation of John. This is a “revelation of Jesus Christ” – The primary purpose of Revelation is to reveal Jesus and the fulfillment of His promises:
“From the outset, we are given the most important truth about the Book of Revelation. This book shows us the Antichrist, it shows us God’s judgment, it shows us calamity on the earth, and it shows us Mystery Babylon in vivid detail. Most of all, it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to us. If we catch everything else, but miss Jesus in the book, we miss the Book of Revelation. How we need a revelation of Jesus! ‘The great fault of many professors is that Christ is to them a character upon paper; certainly more than a myth, but yet a person of the dim past, an historical personage who lived many years ago, and did most admirable deeds, by the which we are saved, but who is far from being a living, present, bright reality.’ (Spurgeon)” (Enduring Word Commentary)
This message was given to John by “His angel.” This isn’t John writing His thoughts in some poetic or symbolic fashion but rather John writing down what he received, often using symbolism to describe what couldn’t be understood any other way.
Revelation 1:3 – Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
We are blessed when we read Revelation and share it with others who in turn are also blessed.
Revelation 1:5, 6 – To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
In our salvation, we are not only freed from our sins, be we have also become subjects in the Kingdom, citizens with all other believers under the rule of Jesus. We have become priests to God with the sole duty of glorifying Him forever. John, though exiled on the island of Patmos, did not see himself as any less of a priest or as having any less of a part in the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God does not manifest itself in the way the kingdoms of the world do. John, who identifies himself to the reader as a ‘partner in the kingdom,’ also identifies himself as a ‘partner in tribulation.’ John points out that Kingdom people must unite through tribulation. Daniel was a great example of a ‘priest’ of the Kingdom who was being subjugated by earthly rulers. Through intense study of the Scriptures and divine revelation, he understood the ‘signs of the times’ which drove him to relentless intercessory prayer and fasting for his people and for himself.
Remember, Lions’ Den Daniel also understood, “we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules…. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame…. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you…. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.” (Daniel 9:2-13) Daniel felt compelled to fast and mourn for three weeks because of the transgression of God’s people and his understanding of the Holiness of God. (Daniel 10:2, 3) Daniel understood from his study of Scripture (Jeremiah) that 70 years of captivity were drawing to an end, but he could not understand how God would fulfill this prophesy based on the current situation. So he went to God in prayer for answers rather than just speculating. This is a good example for us as we begin a quick study of Revelation and the remaining books of prophesy in the Old Testament. Hang on to what you know and pray earnestly about what you don’t know with expectation that God will reveal truth to you when you are ready for it. In the meantime, be a faithful ‘priest’ one day at a time, remaining in intercessory prayer for those around you. Also, remember that you were saved into a Kingdom, to be united with fellow believers. Be a good citizen of the Kingdom of God and join your people. Give your full allegiance to the KING.
Revelation is a confusing book though it comes with a blessing to those who read it and take it to heart (Revelation 1:3). Since there is so much that I don’t understand in Revelation, I try hard to hang on to what I can understand, hoping to comprehend a little more each year. Today, some important points jump out at me: First, This is “Revelation,” not “Revelations” as some say. It is a single revelation “of Jesus Christ” intended for “His servants.” It is a “testimony of Jesus Christ.” So, the first big takeaway: This book further reveals Jesus – an important reason to read it and seek to understand it. The first testimony of Jesus: He is the faithful witness; He is alive, and He IS the ruler of the kings of the earth (your King is King); every eye shall see him in his glory – The Almighty was and is, but He is also “yet to come” (Revelation 1:8). The first big revelation about you: Jesus loves you and has freed you from your sins through His blood. He has made you to be part of His Kingdom, serving God the Father as a priest, yes, a priest (Revelation 1:6). Take this revelation “to heart” as stated in Revelation 1:3 because “the time is near.” Consider these words in comparison to the “Lord’s Prayer”: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.” Honor your King as King and give Him all glory. As a priest in the Kingdom, bring glory to God by doing His will on earth, trusting Him and faithfully serving Him, one day at a time without worrying about tomorrow. Seek to be a good steward of today.
Revelation 1:7: — Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
As Ambassadors and Priests, our bold message is that God is Almighty and will come again to hold all accountable. That is not a popular message. How well are you communicating it?
Revelation 1:9 – I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus.
Christians are united in Jesus but also united in tribulation, citizenship, and patient endurance. Adversity strengthens unity.
Revelation 1:10 – I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.
In the Spirit, John was no longer limited in the physical sense and could now transcend the physical aspects of time and space. He could also see what is not physically visible but real nonetheless. When we are guided by the Spirit, we move far beyond mere intellect.
Revelation 1:14-15 – His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.
From Henry T. Blackaby — “At times it is tempting to conclude: ‘If only I could have walked with Jesus, as the twelve disciples did, it would be so much easier to live the Christian life!’ This thought reveals that we do not comprehend the greatness of the risen Christ we serve today. The Jesus of the Gospels is often portrayed as One who walked along the seashore, loving children and gently forgiving sinners. Yet the image of Jesus that we see at the close of the New Testament is far more dramatic! He stands in awesome power as He rules all creation. His appearance is so magnificent that when John, His beloved disciple, sees Him, he falls to the ground as though he were dead (Rev. 1:17). We grossly underestimate the God we serve! To ignore God’s word or to disobey a direct command from Him is to ignore the magnificent nature of Christ. Our fear of other people proves that we do not understand the awesome Lord who walks with us. The Christ we serve today is the Lord of all creation. He is vastly more awesome and powerful than the gentle rabbi we often imagine. If you struggle with your obedience to Christ, take a closer look at how He is portrayed in the Book of Revelation. If you are succumbing to temptation, call upon the powerful One who dwells in you. If you have forgotten how great and mighty the Lord is, meet Him through the vision of the beloved disciple. The encounter will dramatically affect the way you live!
Revelation 1:17 – When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Our problems always relate to a limited or superficial perception of Jesus Christ. The reality of Jesus Christ should completely overwhelm us and transform us.
Jesus’ most repeated prohibition is “Fear not.” We can rest assured because or confidence is in Jesus, the First and the Last.
Revelation 1:19 – Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
Revelation is not just about the future. It is also an explanation of past and current events.
Revelation 1:20 – As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Jesus is the Head of the churches, and He is in the midst of the churches. Note that there are seven churches, all different, all with different strengths and weaknesses. When Jesus speaks to the seven churches, He will speak to them all individually.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 5 October 2024: Today, and you begin a study of Revelation, pray earnestly that God will reveal His Truth through your study and guard you from false teachings and pre-conceived notions, which would hinder your understanding. Pray that the primarily thing He would make more clear to you is Him.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 