Revelation 1

The Book of Revelation is an enigma to many Christians today. Some avoid it because they fear they won’t understand everything. Others are obsessed with figuring out every minute detail! Should we read and study this book? If so, why? The answers are in chapter 1.

Before we get started: Three things to avoid
· Avoid a schizophrenic approach to Scripture
· Avoid fears and confusion
· Avoid wrong motives for this study

Introduction to Revelation (1:1-3)
· What it is: The Revelation of Jesus Christ
· Who it’s to: Bond-servants of Jesus Christ
· Why it’s written: To bless those who read and pay heed to it

John’s Greeting and Doxology (1:4-6)
· John, to the seven churches in Asia
· Almighty God is on His throne!
· Jesus Christ, King of kings, Savior, is coming again!

John’s Initial Vision: Whose Image do you bear?
· John: Exiled on Patmos, in the Spirit, on the Lord’s day
· His instruction to write what he sees
· His vision of Christ in the middle of the lampstands

“Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.”
Jesus Christ to John, Revelation 1:19

 

For Further Study

1. Revelation 1:3 pronounces a blessing on those who read, hear, and heed the writings in this book. Why might the reading and heeding of Revelation be a source of ‘blessing’ – of joy?

2. At the end of verse 3 we read that “the time is near” – and this is repeated through the book (see 3:11; 22:7, 10, 12, 20). Since it has already been almost 2000 years since John wrote these words, how can it be called “near”? How might 2 Peter 3 help us here?

3. Verse 4 refers to “the seven Spirits” before the throne of God. This may be a reference to the Holy Spirit (see Isaiah 11:2 – the ‘seven-fold Spirit’), or to seven angels (Rev 8:2). Which do you think it refers to?

4. Verses 5-7 are a doxology of praise to Jesus Christ for who He is and all He has done. Reflect on each statement made about Him, and what it means to you today.

5. In verse 7 we read that at Jesus’ second coming, every person on earth will see Him (Matt 24:30); those who pierced Him (Jews; see Zech 12:10) and all nations will mourn over Him. Why do you think they will mourn?

6. In Rev 1:13, John sees Jesus standing in the middle of seven lampstands, which we learn in v.20 are the seven churches of Asia to which he is to send this book. What is the significance of Jesus being amidst the churches? Reflecting on Matt 18:20, how does it make you feel to think of Jesus being present when we gather for worship?

7. Reflect on the ways God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are described in this chapter. How great is God? How secure are we in Christ? How confident should we be in facing the future? What would you like to thank the Lord for right now?