Because most of the book of Revelation is written in apocalyptic literature, many people feel it can’t be understood therefore it does no good to study it. Interestingly, the word “revelation” means “to make known.” It can be understood, otherwise, why would God have given it to us if He knew we could not understand it? Chapter one is not apocalyptic literature and contains valuable truth.
First, “Revelation” is singular, not plural (v. 1). Although John received this information through several “revelations” he is given, it is just one “revelation.
Second, it is the revelation of Jesus Christ (v. 1). Some old versions of the King James Version had “The Revelation of John the Divine.” No, it is not John’s revelation; it is the revelation of Jesus which God, His father, gave Him. The order of receiving this revelation is from: (1) God, the Father, (2) To Jesus Christ, (3) To His bond-servants, (4) By His angel, (5) To His bond-servant John.
Third, the events were to soon happen (vs. 1, 3). All biblical scholars teach that the books of John, the apostle were written from 85 to 95 A.D. The events John wrote in this book were going to happen soon. The emperor Domitian began his persecution about 96 A.D. and that persecution lasted, off-and-on, until 313. The words “soon” and “time is near” show that those who believe that most of this book has not yet been fulfilled are incorrect in their thinking. This book is not about the end of the world; it is about giving hope to Christians who were about to go through persecution. From Revelation 20:12 through the end of the book is the only section that deals with the end of the world and the future rewards.
Fourth, a blessing is promised to those who read, hear, and heed this book read (v. 3). The text says, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Fifth, it was written to the seven churches of Asia (v. 4, 11). “Asia” is not what present day “Asia” is. This “Asia” is sometimes called “Asia Minor” which is a large peninsula in western Asia that makes up the majority of modern-day Turkey. The term “Asia Minor” was first used by the Roman writer Orosius in the 5th century AD to distinguish this region from “Asia Major” (the larger Asian continent). Asia was an area about the size of the state of Texas.
There were more than seven churches in Asia (Colossians 4:13), but God chose these seven. He did not state why. One reason that only seven are mentioned is because of the meaning of the number “seven.” In apocalyptic literature, “seven” is the perfect number. There are 54 sevens found in the book of Revelation. Maybe those seven churches portray what the perfect church (is, God did not say way He chose to deliver this letter to those seven churches. Another possible reason for writing to the churches of Asia is because Domitian’s worse persecution was in that area of the world.
Sixth, there are great descriptions of Jesus giving (v. 5). He is: (1) “the faithful witness.” He is that because He faithfully proclaimed only what God the Father told Him to say (John 8:28; 12:49). The Greek word of “witness” is the English word “martyr” and Jesus set the greatest example of a martyr in that He died for the cause of saving all mankind. He does not ask us to do anything that He has not already done! (2) “the firstborn from the dead.” He is the first person raised from the dead who did not have to die again. By doing that He defeated Satan who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8). This gives assurance to those related to the one dying, that they would be resurrected, (3) “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” It may have looked like the emperor was the greatest power on earth rule. He was not; he would answer to God (Revelation 20:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Seventh, Jesus loves us and released us from our sin (v. 5). The “us” in this verse refers to the “bond-servants” mentioned in verse one, to whom this letter was written. “Love” is present tense. The “present tense” in the Greek language did not just mean something happened at this moment, but rather it denotes a continuous action. Jesus continues to love us. When we go through hard times it is so easy for us to think that God does not love us. No, He continues to love us.
Jesus also “released us” from our sins. Again, in the Greek language past tense does not mean that it happened in the past, but rather it was a “one-time-event” whether it happened in the past or in the present timeframe. It is known as an “aorist.” “Released” is an aorist and means that one’s sins were released in a one-time-event. That event was when one was immersed in water (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
The King James Versions uses the word “washed” rather than “released,” but that is not the correct translation of that Greek word. The words “washed” and “released” are very similar and one could easily see why some manuscripts had “washed.” The Greek letters for “released” are luo. The Greek letters for washed are louo. The Greek word for “washed” is used in Revelation 7:14 which says, “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Eighth, those who have been released from their sins are a kingdom and priests (v. 6). There are two kingdoms in the world: (1) Satan’s and (2) God’s. When one is released from his or her sins, “He (God) rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). When God releases us from our sins He then makes us priests so that we can “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). Therefore, we can “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Ninth, Jesus is returning (v. 7). Jesus ascended from earth back to the right hand of God the Father by a cloud (Acts 1:11). He is going to return the same way. This will not be a secret return for John explained, “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7).
Tenth, for many, Christ’s return will be a time of mourning (v. 7). They will mourn because they have just lost everything for which they had been working. It will all be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10-11). And, more importantly, they will mourn because they will be separated from God eternally, (Revelation 21:8).
Conclusion: The book of Revelation can be understood. It brings great hope for those who will be faithful (Revelation 2:10), but great sorrow to those who are not willing to submit and be obedient to God (Matthew 7:21-23).
Wayne Burger