Revelation 1:1-3: Prologue & Benediction

Introduction

Scripture

Revelation 1:1–3 ESV

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Outline

Revelation 1 - Introduction

Revelation 1:1-3 - Prologue & Benediction

Revelation 1:1-2 - Jesus’ Revelation from the Father

Revelation 1:3 - Benediction

Purpose of Book

The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.

Main Point

John introduces what the book will entail, how it came to be written, and how Jesus’ servants can be blessed as a result of the prophecy

Revelation 1:1-2 - Jesus’ Revelation from the Father

Revelation 1:1–2 ESV

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

***Title of the Book***

The revelation from/given by Jesus Christ,

Revelation

Used approximately 44 times in the NT and always used as a divine revelation given that was previously hidden to humans

Word signifies that the books is highly symbolic

Which God gave him to show his servants the things that must soon take place.

Servants

Slaves/given total allegiance

Must soon take place

Daniel 2:28–29 ESV

28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.

Daniel 2:45–47 ESV

45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

Why did John quote from Daniel 2? Revelation is meant to be understood symbolically not simply literally - specifically Revelation 4-22

Daniel 2:28 - Things that will be in the “latter days” now becomes “Things that must soon take place”

He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

The Father -> Jesus -> Angel -> John

Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ,

Word of God conveyed through the prophets - aligning Revelation with prophetic literature

Jeremiah 1:2 ESV

2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

Zephaniah 1:1 ESV

1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

Testimony of Jesus

Precisely reveals the contents of the “word of God”

Even to all that he saw.

Revelation 1:3 - Benediction

Revelation 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

***Beatitude***

Matthew 5:2–12 ESV

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy,

Blessed

Happiness or having high favor as a result of God’s grace on one’s life

Prophecy

An unveiling of what will take place demanding a response

And blessed are those who hear,

Communal reading of God’s word was very common in the early church

And who keep what is written in it,

Keep

Persist in obedience

The goal of studying the book of Revelation is to go beyond information, but transformation

Those who are blessed are those who hear AND keep what is written

For the time is near.

The death and resurrection of Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of the end times

The enemy is being defeated and will ultimately become complete

These things can happen at any time without any delay

Application

The Father alone reveals mysteries

God sovereignly oversees the events of human history

Those who read, hear, and are obedient to this book are blessed

Main Point

John introduces what the book will entail, how it came to be written, and how Jesus’ servants can be blessed as a result of the prophecy