The Revelation of Jesus Christ

By Pastor Tim Hitchcock

 

The Title:

--Titles of books are not normally part of the inspiration of Scripture.  As a result, the names may vary from Bible to Bible.  One Bible I have refers to "The Revelation."  Another calls it simply "Revelation."  Others may say, "The Revelation of John".  The actual title of the book is given in Revelation 1: 1 as "The Revelation of Jesus Christ".

 

The Background:

--This is the last volume in the canon of Scripture.  It was written by the Apostle John about 90-100A.D. John had a special relationship with our Lord and is the only Apostle who died of old age.  The Romans attempted to kill him by boiling him alive in oil.  When that failed, they exiled him to the Isle of Patmos, where he lived out his days and wrote this final chapter in the Bible. (See Revelation 1: 9)

 

The Outline:

--Many people think that the book is very difficult and confusing.  Most of that is due simply to ignorance.  People try to begin with the last book of the Bible instead of the first.  That is not a good way to read a book.  To properly understand this one we need to comprehend God's eternal plan and purpose for the ages as revealed in the whole Bible.

--One important study is the book of Daniel, where we learn about Daniel's Seventy Weeks that are determined upon Israel.  Another is Matthew 24.  Still another is I and II Thessalonians.  We could go on through many other books.  Information about the future is scattered throughout the Scriptures.

--In the interest of time, we are going to limit ourselves to "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."  As a result, some statements will be a priori, meaning that no proof will be offered.  I ask that you grant me that I have studied these things over a period of many years and have had many teachers and read many books.

--It will help us immensely if we understand the outline of the book.

Scripture: Revelation 1: 19

--John actually tells us the outline of the book, which is as follows:

   Introduction (Revelation 1: 1-3)

   I.) Things Seen (Revelation 1: 4-20)

   II.) Things which are (Revelation 2: 1-3: 22)

    III.) Things which shall be (Revelation 4: 1-22: 19)

    Conclusion (Revelation 22: 20-21)

 

The Introduction:

Scripture: Revelation 1: 1-3

Verse One:

--The difficulty that most people have with the book is right here in verse one.  God said to Abraham who was called the Friend of God, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do (Genesis 18: 17)?"  Prophecy is for those who have an intimate relationship with God.  The first thing John wanted us to know is that this revelation is not John's.  It belongs to Jesus Christ and was given to Him by God the Father.  You cannot get any more intimate than that.

--The intention was for Christ to reveal this information to His servants.  This instruction is not for the casual observer.  It is for those who are not merely professors.  It is for those who love God with all their heart, soul, and mind.  Such people voluntarily submit themselves to be the slaves of Christ.  They become his "doulous" or servant. (See Exodus 21: 1-6)

--John, the Apostle of love, who referred to himself as the one whom Jesus loved, counted himself as a "doulous."  He gladly made himself a slave to Christ.  Paul did so too and encouraged us to do the same (Romans 12: 1-2).

--Some may look at that middle phrase, which says, "must shortly come to pass" and say, "It has been two thousand years and we still have not seen this.  It must not be true."  Keep in mind that this is God the Father speaking (II Peter 3: 3-9).  God's plan is right on schedule.

--God the Father revealed this information to His Son.  Jesus Christ sent and signified it by His angel to John.

Verse Two:

--This special servant of God was chosen to impart the record to us.  This is John's eyewitness account of the Word of God, the testimony of Jesus Christ, and the things that he saw.

Verse Three:

--The very first word, "blessed", is the same word used in the Beatitudes (See Matthew 5: 1-12).  It means "happy."  John told us that there are three things that will make us happy.  We can go out and try everything else in life, but we will be just like Mick Jagger with his oxygen bottle screaming, "I can't get no satisfaction."  At some point we ought to wake up and say, "This is not working."  The rational thing to do is to say, "If I always do what I've always done, I will always get what I've always got.

Maybe, I need a change."

--No one who ever gave their whole life to God has been disappointed.  Many who have been like Annanias and Sapphira (See Acts 5: 1-11) have been disappointed.  Many who have tried to bargain with God like Lot (See Genesis 19: 18-20) have been unhappy.  But people who have lived by faith like Abraham have found true happiness in Christ.

--Many years ago, I followed a train of logic that went like this:

   1.) Either the Christian life is all that it is cracked up to be or not.

   2.) If it is, it is surely the best life there is.

   3.) I will never know for sure, if I do not give it all that I have.

--I chose to find out.  Thirty years later it is not only the best life it is the only life!!!  I urge each one here today to give it everything you have.  I would have given God everything from the eyebrows down and I was not happy.  Happiness came only when I gave all to Him.  This victorious Christian life is all or nothing!! --The three ingredients that John said would make us happy can be summed in three words:

   1.) Read

   2.) Hear                        The Word of God

   3.) Keep

--The Christian life is about faith (Hebrews 11: 6).  Because it is about faith, it sometimes cuts against our reasoning.  The problem is not reason, but our finiteness.  God has access to information that we do not.  To discount that is not rational but foolish.  The reasonable thing to do is to accept that God knows more than we do, that He has proven His love for us through the gift of His Son, and that we should simply trust Him.  It does not make a lot of sense to us that reading, hearing, and keeping can bring happiness, but it does.

--If He says that reading the Bible, paying attention to what it says, and trying to keep and do it is the key to happiness, then why not try it?

--How much effort should we put into this?  If you wanted to go to school or gain a trade or be successful in a sport, how much time would you devote to it?

 

The Conclusion:

--As we begin this study of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, John wanted us to know:

   1.) The book is for those who are in close fellowship with Christ

   2.) The account is the record of an eyewitness

   3.) The time we spend reading, hearing, and keeping God's Word will bring happiness to us, particularly, when we understand that as believer's we will escape most of the judgments named here.

--In light of that, let us resolve to give God our all this year.