Having finished his series on 1 John last week, our pastor began a new series this week on the book of Revelation. I look forward to coming to a better understanding of this controversial book from the preaching of a Reformed minister.
Revelation is a book filled with controversy. It is intended for the servants of God, and its message is to build up the church when it is weak in a world filled with power. In the Greek, this book's name is "Apocalypse," and it is the last book God gave to His church. The focus of this book is Jesus Christ, and this is a message from God to Jesus. This is God the Father's word regarding Jesus Christ. We must approach this book with a servant's attitude, realizing that these are things that we are being shown--not things that are made up. Many interpreters of this book have erred by adding to it, saying that it means things that it does not mean.
In verses 1-3, we are told to read this word and heed it. John's apostolic authority is established in v. 2. He has already borne witness in the past in the Gospel of John and in his epistles. He has been exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where the Roman authorities think they can stop his message. But we are to hear these words and store them in our hearts. Many have emphasized the last phrase of v. 3, "for the time is near," claiming that this means the events of this book are already past. This phrase, however, is not the interpretive key of the book; the time is still near.
"Grace to you and peace," begins the greeting of vv. 4-5. In the midst of the turmoils of life, God grants unmerited, undeserved mercy as He extends grace and peace to us. The reference to Christ, "the one who is and was and is to come," is rooted in Exodus 3:13ff, the great I AM, the covenant God of Israel. Jesus is the great I AM who saves, the faithful witness, the one who died. He is the firstfruits of the many who will be born from the dead. Finally John declares Jesus to be the ruler of the kings of the earth, even as John has been punished by Rome, which bowed its knees to no other power. We will learn more about the seven spirits before the throne later, but this is a reference to completeness.
Within this greeting is praise for Jesus Christ for His past work. All the Old Testament declarations regarding washing have been fulfilled in Jesus. Because of His death, our sins are washed away. He has made us kings and priests--and that would have been forbidden in the Old Testament. Only the house of Aaron could serve as priests, and only the house of David could serve as kings. We are servants who are kings and priests as well.
There is also a reference to Jesus' future coming, which will involve a day of judgment, a theme of Revelation.
Finally, the references in v. 8 to the Alpha, Omega; the one who is, was, and is to come; and the Almighty describe God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We can stand firm and with confidence knowing the grace and peace of our God.
2 comments:
Annette,
Coincidentally, I was reading the Zondervan Bible Handbook tonight about Revelation and it says that it is generally thought that the author of this book is a different person than the apostle John. I always thought they were the same.
That is interesting. I checked my Reformation Study Bible, and the editors say the author is John. Apparently this was called into question in the third century, but the editors of the RSB say that it is probable that the author was John.
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