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The Revelation of Jesus Christ
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Revelation 1.1 - 1.10a
Prologue Rev.1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Rev.1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Rev.1:3 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. Rev.1:4 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; Rev.1:5 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, Rev.1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev.1:7 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. Rev.1:8 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. Rev.1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev.1:10a I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day... |
The Introduction |
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By the “prologue” of the Book of Revelation we mean the first 9 verses of the first chapter, together with the first half of verse 10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,...”. The prologue and the epilogue (Rev 22:6-21) can be thought of as counterparts, with parallel themes and exhortations but with the order reversed i.e. each parallels the other but as a mirror image.
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Exiled to the island of Patmos |
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He received it from the eternal One (Jesus) and the seven Spirits which are before God’s throne (the Holy Spirit). The Lord has a special day 'the Lord's Day', and it was on this day that Jesus was revealed to John to present this message to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (now part of Turkey). After John completed writing down the vision, it was indeed first sent to the Christians in Ephesus. |
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ |
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The first two verses of the last Book of the Bible promise that this book is going to be all about Jesus. The book’s very name ‘The Revelation of Jesus Christ’ discloses that it is centred on Him. Here Jesus is to appear not as the carpenter from Nazareth, walking the dusty roads of Palestine, but as the eternal King inviting us to share the throne of Deity. |
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To show God’s servants things which must shortly happen |
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| Although Acts and the Epistles speak of Jesus’ ascension into Heaven as Lord and His role as High Priest, it is the Book of Revelation that actually pictures Him there as our Saviour God in all His glory, together with God the Father. Although the prologue gives the purpose of Revelation - to show God’s servants things which must shortly happen - clearly this book is also about revealing Jesus who died that we might live forever. In this sense it is just as much a revelation OF Jesus as a revelation FROM Jesus. |
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His eternal nature and power |
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Within these first few verses Jesus emphasises His eternal nature and power, His redeeming love for us, and our future as kings and priests of God the Father. Through John Jesus speaks of His second advent, lifting us up from our mortal world onto higher ground – a land of glorious promises and hopes fulfilled. |
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Seven blessings, or benedictions |
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We are promised seven blessings, or benedictions, in the Book of Revelation. The prologue contains the first one - for those who deliver the words of the Book to others, and to those that hear and obey the message. |
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Study its words! |
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The time of the fulfilment of the Revelation prophecy is close. Study its words! Obey the message! Share it with others! Be blessed! As each phrase is studied – “Revelation”, “Jesus Christ”, “God”, “gave” …. – we can experience a revelation of Jesus as God in Heaven, as well as His personal commitment and loving ministry to humankind throughout the ages. |
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