Revelation 1-3: The First Facet

Week 2, Monday: The Revelation concerning Jesus
The book of Revelation begins in a blaze of glory, radiating from the Lord Jesus Christ, exalted, ruling, and directing His people in the last days before He comes again. The “last days” actually began on the first Christian Pentecost, as Peter explained (Acts 2.14-17), so the message of Jesus in Revelation is for all times and all believers. The Lord appears to John with a commission that comes to every believer: To bear witness to the things we have seen, and which are, and which shall take place in the days to come (v. 19).

The book of Revelation moves from the frightening yet comforting vision of Christ, revealing Himself in glory to John on a desolate Mediterranean island, to Christ revealing Himself in glory at the end of history and in the new heavens and new earth, for all eternity. Glory to glory, and glory throughout: This is the focus of Revelation, and the hope of every believer in Jesus Christ (Rom. 5.1, 2).

Revelation opens with a clear and concise statement of what God intends for the words of divine revelation that follow.

Read Revelation 1

Meditate on Revelation 1.1-3
1.      These verses introduce the book of Revelation. This book is not, in the first instance, a revelation of “last days” events. It is the revelation of (or concerning) Jesus Christ, the “word of God, and…the testimony of Jesus Christ.” What does this suggest concerning how we ought to read the book of Revelation? What primarily should be the focus of our learning?

2.      Why does John emphasize “read”, “hear”, and “keep” as the way to blessing? What’s the difference between these? How can we make sure that each is part of our time in God’s Word?

3.      The following verbs relate to the revelation of Jesus Christ and what God intends for it. Explain each, and comment on how you are presently involved with each (the words are from the NKJV):

-        “show” (v. 1):

-        “take place” (v. 1):

-        “signified” (v. 1):

-        “bore witness” (v. 2):

4.      Notice the emphasis in vv. 1 and 3 on the time parameters for this Revelation. Is this a book for events far off and yet to come? How do you understand “shortly take place” and “the time is near”?

5.      In what sense should we expect to be “blessed” from reading, hearing, and keeping the words of God written in the book of Revelation?

My Reflection
What can you learn about yourself, or about our calling as disciples of Christ, from Revelation 1.1-3?

The Glory of God
God is revealing His glory, telling us something about Himself or His will, even in these three short verses. What can you discern of the glory of God in Revelation 1.1-3?

Glory to Glory
Just as Revelation moves from the glory of chapter 1 to the glory of chapters 19- 22, so our lives move from seeing the glory of God in His Word to living the glory of God in His world. Write a prayer, based on your study of Revelation 1.1-3, to express how you hope to live for God’s glory today:

Memorize
Our memory verses for this week are Revelation 1.18, 19. Write these verses on an index card, using your preferred translation of the Bible. Carry this with you throughout the week, and spend some time each day working to memorize these verses.

Closing Prayer
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill…
Arise, O LORD;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongs to the LORD.
Your blessing is upon Your people.

Psalm 3.3, 4, 7, 8

T. M. Moore

Download your free copy of this week’s study, Revelation Week 2, by clicking here.

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.