Revelations 1:1-3

Revelations 1

Prologue  

Revelations 1:1-3
Life Application New Testament Commentary gives us a warning in this book: "The book of Revelation unveils Christ’s full identity and God’s plan for the end of the world, and it focuses on Jesus Christ, his second coming, his victory over evil, and the establishment of his Kingdom. As you read and study Revelation, don’t focus so much on the timetable of the events or the details of John’s imagery that you miss the main message—the infinite love, power, and justice of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Rev 1:1  This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John, Rev 1:2  who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:3  God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

I thought it would be timely to do a study on Revelations. Considering the events of the day like Isis trying to make an Islamic state out of all Arab nations is a possible sign.

The book was written by John in or around the latter part of Nero's reign (A.D. 54-68) and the latter part of Domitian's ( 81-96) It is to be remembered that Romans considered their Caesars' to be God When it is suggested by Christians that there is a higher power than the Romans God's the Christians become targets for persecution.

The NASB (New American Standard Bible) Study bible points out the literary form for this book. It is a highly symbolic writing called apocalyptic. The visions seen in this book will be strange to the western readers but are often explained in the teachings. I will do my best to explain as much as I can. There is nothing easy about Revelations and it will take a while to go through this writing. I will explain what I have been able to find but by no means will this be the whole meaning of this chapter.

So why am I trying to go through this book when there are so many other books to go through. I am writing this  because we are beginning to see the unfolding of God's plan. Will it happen in my lifetime or yours? Probably not. What we are seeing is the possibilities of this to happen. Things that have been prophesized have happened and there are very few prophesies left. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), who used the pen name George Orwell  wrote the book 1984. He missed the date but there is a lot of big brother out there. So it is with Revelations. We have a lot of current pastors warning that the "end is coming" . I am sure it is but to put a date on something that could be tomorrow or decades from now would be worthless. My next posting will start at verse 4. My prayer for you is that it is beneficial to you for your journey with Christ.

 

There is a nice video by Calvary Chapel surprise here  Revelations 1:1-3

Agape

Dave