A Study of The Book of Revelation
Lesson No. 4: Chapter 1

Date: April 9^th and April 16^th, 2003, Wednesday Evening Adult Bible Class
Speaker: John Phillis
Note: Much of the information for this Study of Revelation was taken from the book “Revelation Through First Century Glasses” by W. B. West. Other sources: “The Living Word, Study of Revelation, Parts I & II” by Dr. Frank Pack; “Revelation” by Jim McGuiggan; “Commentary on Revelation” by Homer Hailey; “Commentary on Revelation” by Burton Coffman; “The Book of Revelation – Spiritual Sword Lectureship, October 18 – 22, 1998”; “Commentary on Revelation” by Howard Winters; “Revelation for Christians Today” by Lonnie Woodruff; “Unlocking Revelation” by J. Stafford North.

Tonight we are going to get into the “meat” of the book of Revelation. We pointed out last week that the book of Revelation is actually a combination of “types” of books. We see in it prophecy; we see in it an epistle, or letter; and we also see in it a series of apocalyptic visions. In no place in the book is this more clearly pointed out than right here in the very first section. After telling the title of the book and identifying it as an apocalypsis, and a book of prophecy, as we see there in verses 1 through 3, John also introduces himself to us in verses 4 through 7 of chapter 1 and also gives a salutation which we find in other letters in the New Testament. Following this opening of the book, then we read about the vision that John saw: Christ walking in glory in the midst of His churches and sending Messages to the seven churches of Asia, or at least seven specific churches of Asia.

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION

1. It is an introduction to the rest of the book. But what an introduction! It was written to emphasize that what is to be read is nothing less than the express Word of God. The epistle is not only the Word of God, but it is given just when it is needed, for “the time is at hand,” (1:3).
2. Its three co-authors are claimed to be no less than the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This, again, underlines the Divine origin of the letter. Not only so, but the attributes of these Three are characteristics for which the saints will have reason to be thankful in the days ahead.
3. A third time (variously written), John claims the letter was the result of a direct commission from heaven. He is told explicitly by Jesus to “write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches,” (1:11).

THE NATURE AND TIMELINESS OF THE BOOK—verses 1-3:

So let’s begin and we’ll read the first three verses and then comment about those:

[verse 1] “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

[verse 2] who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the Testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

[verse 3]Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the Words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

We see here that the book opens by stating the title: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word “Revelation” comes from a Greek word, “apocalypsis,” and it occurs only here in this book. It was not necessarily, nor does it have to be, a—quote, unquote—“religious” word. It can mean or signify the “unveiling” or the “revealing” of anything. Of course, in this context, here at the beginning of this book, we know that it certainly has a specific meaning.

It is a “Revelation” given to Jesus and then to John:

Interesting that we see here that there is going to be a “line” through which this Revelation is going to be given—through which it is going to flow. It will be from God, to Jesus Christ, to His angel, to His servant, John, for His servants—not John’s servants, but for Jesus’ servants. So we see this line: God—to Jesus—to His angel—to John, who records these things to be passed on then—to other servants. It will be noted later in the book, however, that the angel does not really figure greatly into this Revelation that comes from Christ.

The word translated “servant”—this is how John is described—is a common word for “slave.” It denotes ownership by Christ and the supremacy of Christ’s Will—in other words, one who is a servant to the Will of Christ.