Read Revelation 1:1–3
Questions from the Scripture text: What title does the Spirit give this book (Revelation 1:1a)? Who gave it to Him? To do what with it? How fast would the things in it happen (cf. Revelation 22:12)? By whom did He send it? To whom? What three names does John give to the things to which he bore witness (Revelation 1:2)? What three things must a recipient do with the book (Revelation 1:3)?
What should we do with the book of Revelation? Revelation 1:1–3 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must read, hear, and keep the book of Revelation.
Subject. This book is self-titled “The Revealing of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). It deals primarily with a specific place, and relates some specific events, but it is a book about a Person. It is not John’s revelation. It is Jesus’s.
Audience. The book is for Jesus to show to His slaves. They may be identified in other ways: believers, saints, righteous. But in the opening of the book, we are “slaves.” Our Master is to be obeyed implicitly; and, though we find ourselves beleaguered in this age, He is worth serving. The book is for us slaves, to aid us in our service.
Writer. The writer is the beloved apostle John—much beloved of Christ in a special way, and much beloved of the believers to whom he wrote. But he, too, is called “slave” here. If we come to the book revering or admiring him, this word lifts us up and says “see that you do not do that, for I am your fellow slave” (cf. Revelation 22:9).
The nature of the book. The genre is apocalypse, and we will be helped by other Scripture of that genre (especially Daniel). But Revelation 1:2 uses three phrases to describe the nature of that to which John is bearing witness. First and foremost, it is the Word of God. Second, it is the testimony of Jesus Christ; He is the great Prophet, though He give it through His slave. Third, it is what John “saw.” He is an eyewitness of this revealing of Jesus; it is not merely ideas, but reality.
What we must do with it. There is one reason for giving this book: to bless believers (Revelation 1:3). But, the means by which we come into this blessing are three: reading, hearing, and keeping. A true Christian may leave out none of these. And this is just as true of Revelation as any other book. It’s not a speculating book; it’s a reading, hearing, and doing book!
How are you accustomed to thinking of Revelation? How have you heard others speak of it? How does Revelation 1:1-3 change that?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for revealing Jesus Christ to us in the book of Revelation. Forgive us for treating it as something hidden, when You have called it something revealed. Forgive us for treating it as if it is primarily about end-times, when You have told us that it is primarily about Jesus Christ. Forgive us for coming away from it with speculation over what is unclear, rather than reading, hearing, and keeping what is clear. By Your Spirit, grant that we would be obedient, courageous, joyful slaves of Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed he Man” or TPH381 “Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power”
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