Revelation 1:1-8

Seven phrases describe the content of the book of Revelation.

1)    The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

2)    The things which must shortly take place.  (The times and seasons are up to God.  Christians are always called to live in light of the soon-coming of the Master [James 5:8; Luke 21:34-36]).

3)    The word of God.  (It is God’s message given to the Son.  All the prophets spoke the “word of the Lord;” this is no exception.

4)    The testimony of Jesus Christ.  (The Son testifies of the Father’s purposes by His words and works, always doing the will of His Father.)

5)    The things John saw.  (Revelation is composed of visions, things John was allowed to see so he would record Jesus’ message to His servants.)

6)    This prophecy.  (John is doing the prophet’s work [2 Pet. 1:20f].  The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [Rev. 19:10]).

7)    The things written.  (It is put in a lasting form that is available to all.)

John wrote from a small island in the Aegean Sea that was used as a prison by the Romans.  He was there for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ (v9; see #3-4 above).  This happened around 95-96AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (this is stated by Irenaeus, c180AD and confirmed by other early church fathers Victorinus, c.270; Eusebius, c.325; Jerome, c.370).  Domitian became cruel, demanding to be worshipped as Dominus et Deus (Lord and God), something Christians and Jews would not do.  While the Jews had already been scattered in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD, Christians became the focus of terrible persecution.

The book is from God: Father, Holy Spirit and Son.  God who gave the Revelation to His Son is the Eternal One (Him who is and who was and who is to come).  The Spirit is seen in the seven Spirits who are before His throne (a reference to the 7-fold description of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 11:2, a passage that also reveals Christ).  The descriptions of Christ are fitting of the One who is the heir of all things.  (Verse 8 may refer to the Father though it fits the Godhead; v11 says similar things of Christ as we will see later.)  Meditate on these things.

·        The faithful witness (Jesus’ faithfulness in life, death and resurrection is key to the unveiling of this book, Rev. 4-5).

·        The firstborn from the dead (a term of authority, Matt. 28:18; Col. 1:15-18).

·        The ruler over the kings of the earth.

·        The One who loved us, washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father (all the effect of the cross).

In v7 we see where this book is headed: HE IS COMING!  Jesus is coming!  And when He does everyone will see Him, the One they pierced.  Then everyone will mourn because of Him.  May these devotionals help to open your eyes to Him NOW!  May they encourage you to overcome in your faith!