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, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 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.

Having introduced the book of Revelation and considered both its unique place in the unfolding of the biblical storyline as well as the way the book is to affect a purging of the Christian imagination, this week we will begin our study proper. The book begins with a prologue that is the focus of our time together in God’s Word this week.

The first words of the book serve to give the book its title as well as to describe its content. The Greek term apocalypsis refers to an uncovering or unveiling of something which has been hidden. The primary goal of the book is therefore to make something known. This revelation is both about Jesus Christ and is given by Him to His servants so that they might know the things which are to soon take place.

The revelation has come in the form of visual imagery to the Apostle John from Christ by the mediation of an angel sent to him. As the one who is to communicate the revelation to the churches, John is the witness to all of these things. Bearing “witness” or giving “testimony” is significant in all of John’s writings (John 1:7; 1 John 5:11; 3 John 1:12), but particularly in Revelation (Rev. 1:2, 6:9, 11:7, 12:11). This concept finds its background in the Mosaic Law where witnesses were vital for establishing truth (Lev. 5:1; Deut. 19:15). In the NT, the concept evolved to include religious proclamation, confession, and even martyrdom. John, therefore, is bearing witness to the truth of all that he saw and therefore the certainty of the Word of God being fulfilled. God’s Word in the OT was partially fulfilled through the first coming of Jesus Christ, and this revelation assures that the rest of His Word will be fulfilled when Christ comes again is the visions of the book anticipate.

The prologue then concludes with a blessing. This revelation has been given by Jesus Christ to His people for the purpose of blessing them. Because this was intended as a letter which was to be read publicly, both its reader and hearers are the ones who are intended to receive the blessing. The blessing is not, however, automatic. The Word of God is always intended to evoke a response, and it is those who respond in faith and who “keep” what is written in the book that are blessed. The word translated “keep” here is the Greek word tēreō, meaning “to persist in obedience, to fulfill, to heed.” The blessing for the church comes therefore when they live in accordance with what is shown to them in Revelation. They must recognize and worship Jesus Christ as their risen Lord and Savior. They must see Him in His glory and be transformed by His power. In light of this, they must also guard themselves and their churches from sin which will damage their witness to truth about Christ.

John us this Sunday as we consider the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus together so that we might be His faithful witnesses both as individuals and as a church!

Soli Deo Gloria,

-Thomas