Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Revelation 1:1-2 says, The Revelation
of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto his servants things
which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto
His servant John: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of
Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
The book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible which has
been given by God. The book is about, things which must shortly come to pass. These future
events reveal for us many wonderful truths about Jesus Christ, His personality
and character.
When will these events come to pass? Shortly. Of the events, the
return of Christ is the chief event. When will Christ return? Shortly.
Revelation 1:1-2 says, The Revelation
of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto his servants things
which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto
His servant John: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of
Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
In thinking about future events we should realize that God uses
events to reveal Himself to us. The circumstances of our lives day to day are
events as well and God uses those events even the mundane to reveal Himself to
us. But concerning the future events of
the rapture, the great tribulation and the return of Christ these events in
detail teach us a great many things about Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:3 says, Blessed is he
that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at
hand.
Those who by Gods grace read, listen too and obey Gods word are happy indeed. Psalms 1:2-3 says But His delight
is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And
he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that bringeth
forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever
he doeth shall prosper. James
Revelation 1:3 says, Blessed is he that readeth,
and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are
written therein: for the time is at hand. The time is at hand. What time? The
time for scripture to come to pass. One of the great events referred too
thorough scripture is called the day of the LORD. The Day of the LORD refers to
both the tribulation and the return of Christ.
In other words God is doing a great work therefore those who are a
part of that work by believing on the LORD Jesus Christ and keeping His Word in
their hearts are blessed. When Christ
returns those who have kept His Word will be considered blessed indeed.
Revelation 1:4 says, John to the
seven churches which are in
The number seven in the Bible often gives the idea of perfection
and completion. For example God created the world in six days and rested on the
7th day. Here John is writing to the Seven churches or in other
worlds all of the church. But as we will see these seven churches each with
their strengths and failures represent a complete picture of the church.
Revelaton 1:5 says, And from Jesus
Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and
the prince of the kings of the earth.
Here in verse five we already begin to learn some great truths
about Jesus Christ. He is called the faithful witness. In other words Jesus
reaches out to the hearts of men day after day after day year after year after
testifying of the truth of Himself as the only begotten so of God and of His
death, burial, and resurrection.
This verse also says Jesus Christ is the first begotten of the
dead. Well what does this mean? After all we know in the Old Testament there
were some raised from the dead. Jesus was the first one raised with a glorified
body. To be first has its privileges. To be first sets a person apart and above
others. Above all who have died and above all who will ever rise from the grave
unto eternal life Jesus is the first begotten. He is first begotten because He
is the one who died for the sins of the world and who defeated death.
This is also why the last part of the verse goes on to say and the prince
of the kings of the earth. This is almost the same thing as saying King of
kings and Lord of lords. Anyone who has power only has it because God gave it
to them and no matter how much power a person has God is still prince over
them.
Revelaton 1:6 goes on
to say, And hath made us kings and
priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen. Not only is Christ the prince of the kings of the earth but
those who trust in him will one day be given special opportunities to serve the
Lord Jesus Christ as kings and priests. If you think about what a king or a
priest does then you will realize this is a great privilege. No wonder the
previous verses stated that blessed are those who hear and keep the sayings of
this book.
If you have never turned from your sins to Jesus then do so today
and you too can become a king and a priest unto God.
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Copyright; 2015 by Bruce
Creech
All Rights Reserved