Unfolding Prophecy Truth

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

As we get into the study of Revelation again, I want to set the stage for your thinking – who are we dealing with here? It is almost a “who’s in charge?” question. So many Bibles entitle the book something like The Revelation of John but that is incorrect – it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ (as given to John). As we start reading, we will have inserts along the way where someone speaks (usually declaring something), and it seems out of the blue – but we must remember that this is Christ’s book to us through John regarding the last days and what we may expect and what is to follow. Look with me at the opening eight verses, especially the last verse which I have bolded:

Revelation 1:1-8:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Some observations of note:

1) “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him . . .”

2) “. . . to shew unto his servants [emphasis added] things which must shortly come to pass;” (meaning will happen quickly when they get started – not will soon start – although, I think it won’t be too much longer . . .)

3) “[A]nd he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (John is the court recorder . . .)

4) “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” (John is a FAITHFUL court recorder . . . and he establishes his observations against the Word of God . . .)

5) “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are wirtten therein:” (There is a special blessing for reading this book, for hearing this book, and for keeping this book – guarding it as a valuable commodity -not just myths, and stories, and allegories.)

Let’s look a second at Jesus:

1) “Jesus Christ, who is [1] the faithful witness, and [2] the first begotten of the dead, and [3] the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him [4] that loved us, and [5] washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath [6] made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; [7] to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (And He deserves it!)

2) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

This is with whom we have to do. This who is in control no matter what seems to be swirling around our lives and in our heads – He is in firm control. This is the final chapter of the current book. Why do I say it that way? We had the Old Testament book. We are living the New Testament book. We will be living the millennium book some day and after that, we will be living the eternity book (which may end up really big . . .).

May God bless you all!

Bro. Joe

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