It’s All About Christ

Revelation 1:1-8

Revelation means “unveiling.” It gives us our English word apocalypse, which, unfortunately, is today a synonym for chaos and catastrophe. The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.” In this book, the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtain and gives us the privilege of seeing the glorified Christ in heaven and the fulfillment of His sovereign purpose in the world (Warren Wiersbe).  

Many people are fascinated, even obsessed, with the future. They faithfully read their horoscopes, seek out Tarot card readers, have their palms read, feed on futuristic science fiction material, or call one of the many “psychic hot lines” advertised on TV. Some delve more deeply into the occult, seeking out mediums (as King Saul did), futilely and sinfully attempting to obtain information about what is to come by “consulting with the dead on behalf of the living” (Isa. 8:19). The dead cannot answer, but demons can masquerade as the dead, propagating lies (John MacArthur).

Isaiah 8:19 LSB

Now when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

The Apostle John did neither; he was brought to the island of Patmos by the Holy Spirit so Christ could reveal to him things which must come. When we were growing up, our parents would reveal certain things to us so we could understand them better. Being a follower of the Way, the Holy Spirit reveals truth in His Word to us. The word “apokalupsis” appears eighteen times in the New Testament, always used of a person, with the meaning “to become visible” (Luke 2:32; Romans 8:19; 1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7). In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, it shows what must happen and how Christ will come to avenge His bride. John gives us three characteristics of Christ in the seven verses and who the Lord is in verse eight.

Luke 2:32 LSB

A Light for revelation to the Gentiles, And for the glory of Your people Israel.”

Romans 8:19 LSB

For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

1 Corinthians 1:7 LSB

so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 1:7 LSB

so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The first revealed characteristic of Jesus is “He indicated.” The second revealed characteristic of Jesus is "He has made." The last revealed characteristic of Jesus is “He is coming.” Verse eight gives us that he is the first and last word in this world and your life.

He Indicated:

I can indicate to my family that we will take a trip to Florida at the end of the month. Whether it happens depends not on me but on God. We can do everything to help it to happen, but if we depart from this world, it will not happen. We could use an A/C, which would prevent it from happening. Numerous things could happen to prevent it from happening. But when Jesus Christ indicates it, it will come to pass. The word indicate is “esemanen,” the root of “semaino,” meaning sign, report, make clear, or to signify. Jesus is making it clear to John and us what things will come to pass. Jesus signified by the way He would die (John 12:33; 18:32).

John 12:33 LSB

But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was about to die.

John 18:32 LSB

in order that the word of Jesus which He spoke would be fulfilled, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

Jesus indicates something in your life about Him and your purpose; nothing can change that. The problem is we allow the world to dictate to us instead of standing on His “semaino.” We read about all that is happening in the world, and we lose faith. The world can say or do whatever it wants; for you and me, we know how this turns out for those called by His Name.

Verse three tells us who are blessed. Those who read, hear, and keep these things. 365 times it says to “not fear,” so why do we fear? Because we do not stand on His indication of who He is and who we are in Him. We need to remember who indicated is the One who made.

He made:

I love these words in verse six! “ He has made” comes from the Greek word “epoiesen”; the root is “poieo,” meaning to do or make. What did He make us to be? First, a kingdom. Think about the disciples’ prayer in Matthew 6:10. We are His kingdom, doing His work here on earth (Rev. 5:10). We are His priest (Rev. 20:6). There is only one bride, and we are to glorify the Lord, as Paul said in Romans 15:6; 11:36.

Matthew 6:10 LSB

‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Revelation 5:10 LSB

“And You made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

Revelation 20:6 LSB

Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Romans 15:6 LSB

so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:36 LSB

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

He has made us and redeemed us for Himself (1 Cor. 8:6). He created all things (Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). This life is not about us; it is about Jesus and His glory in and through us. He is the Faithful Witness, Firstborn of the dead, Ruler of kings of the earth, and His love for us released us from our sins. He has made everything, including us. How dare we try to make anything about us? It’s all about Jesus and His redemptive power for all those who call on His name! It will be Christ who is coming for us.

1 Corinthians 8:6 LSB

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

Colossians 1:16 LSB

For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Hebrews 1:2 LSB

in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds,

He is Coming:

We see in Daniel that he saw the risen Christ descending on a cloud to take up His bride (Dan. 7:13). Paul wrote to the Church of Thessalonica about the Lord's return (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Those who have fallen asleep will rise before those who are still alive. Paul is comforting those who have mourned the loss of loved ones who were in Christ. Do you know that what we call the rapture was not taught in the early church? It did not come about until the 1800s and did not gain popularity until the 1900s. They believed the Lord would return any minute. That is why they were so effective in spreading the Good News. What would happen to the bride if we lived like that?

Daniel 7:13 LSB

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And came near before Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 LSB

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

I remember having chores growing up. We also knew what time Dad usually arrived home. Needless to say, I waited until the last minute to get my chores done. Sometimes I would make them and other times I would not. If I had lived with the urgency of Dad's arrival at any moment, I would have been prepared for his return. Saints, may I say, I fear we have been lured to laziness or lackadaisicality. Our eyes should be on Him, and His work. It is time to wake up. I fear we have become like the unwise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Remember that He is the first and last word.

Matthew 25:1–13 LSB

“Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Now five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. “And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. “And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Alpha and Omega:

I love this. He is the first and last word in the world. He is the first and last word in our lives (Isaiah 41:4). He gave us our first breath and will take our last breath. He has always been and will always be. Why do we fear? If He is the first and last word in our lives, who can change that? Nobody! It is always about Him, and it has always been about Him. For us who are redeemed by His blood, this is the assurance of this book of Him coming back for us. It is time we fill our lamps and keep our eyes out for His Return. Let us not slumber in our work but be diligent in working and preparing for His Kingdom.

Isaiah 41:4 LSB

“Who has worked and done it, Calling forth the generations from the beginning? ‘I, Yahweh, am the first; and with the last, I am He.’”

AMEN!!!!