Revelation 1; A Coming Judgment Unveiled
A Coming Judgment Unveiled
(1) Prediction (v1-7)
The Apostle John would reveal future events that “must shortly come to pass” (v1). These events that he saw by vision was to be written the defense of the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Who are the recipients of the message? It was the 7 churches in Asia Minor (v11) whom John named who were given the mandate to disseminate this prophecy to God’s people (v3) that they may be blessed with the truth!
(2) Presence (v8-16)
John saw the vision of Jesus Christ who manifested His presence on a Lord’s Day. Jesus spoke directly to him by a great voice like a trumpet ensuring that this message will be as it were broadcast to every believer in His church during the church age. The trumpet’s function is to summon, warning call to warfare, to announcement dawning of Christ’s physical kingdom upon earth. This truth is understood in the light of Daniel 2 and 7. John said that he was a fellow companion in tribulation. By this time, Jerusalem has been destroyed. Persecution by the Roman Caesar is at its peak. Acknowledging Christ means losing their livelihood, home, even their lives. But if we have understood the judgment of hell, what men have to endure for eternity, persecution in this life is pales to the judgment to come!
Jesus promised that His presence and His power would protect His people as they fulfilled His commandment upon earth till His return again on the same spot He would be ascended to heaven. This book is a sequel giving the events leading to His coming upon earth physically and thereafter.
(3) Preparation (v17-20)
When John came in the presence of God, He was as one who has no strength before Him like the prophets Isaiah (Isa. 6) and Daniel (Dan 2, 7, 8-12). Jesus assured that He came to give him courage to stand for Him. He was asked to “Fear not”. Jesus is the first and the last, He is in full control of human affairs and the happenings upon earth. And He asked John to write concerning the message He has for His people in the church.
The church is described as the golden lampstand. The tabernacle contained one lampstand made of pure gold with seven lamps (Exod. 25:31, 37). Solomon’s temple had ten golden lampstands: five on the left and five on the right in front of the inner sanctuary (1 Kings 7:49); and Zechariah saw only one golden lampstand with seven lights with seven pipes supplying oil to the lights (Zech. 4:2). Even though John’s imagery is based on the Old Testament, here he uses the word lampstands, to which he supplies the number seven. The lampstands are seven churches (Rev. 1:20), and seven denotes completeness. That is, John presents a picture of the entire church.[1]
May the church be prepared to meet her Lord. Amen.
[1]Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 20: Exposition of the Book of Revelation. New Testament Commentary (94). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.