John's Introduction

The Introduction to Revelation

In the next article, we will see how Revelation is a series of four visions. We will see how trying to understand the book as a linear sequence of events leads to great confusion. Before we look at these visions, John provides a brief but informative introduction.

Here is the historical situation. John has been banished to the Island of Patmos because of his testimony of Jesus. Throughout history, those professing Christ and proclaiming the gospel have been a threat to the world and have suffered great persecution. The same is true today.

Stop and Read

Before you go on, read Revelation 1:1-8.

The first 8 verses of Revelation provide a short, but information-packed introduction to the book! And it should be of no surprise, it's all about God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.

In these verses we discover how the message was brought to John and are given the main theme of the book.

In the first verse we see that God the Father gave the message to Jesus, who gave it to an angel, who passed it on to John. While human communication can distort the message, this divine message was transmitted perfectly.

In verse 3 we receive a tremendous promise! It proclaims we will be blessed if we read the book and take it to heart. Please note that this promise does not require us to understand everything. So, let’s surge ahead seeking to understand but always expecting to be blessed.

It’s all about Jesus

Revelation is all about God the Father and his son, Jesus. Here is what we learn in these few verses.

Christ’s return will take place “soon.” This word does not mean his return will happen in the near future. It teaches us that when it happens, it will “happen quickly.” (v 1)

Christ’s return is near, and we should be ready. (v 3)

God wrote Revelation to the 7 churches. In future articles, we will look closely at the short letters written to each of these churches. Just like the other epistles in the New Testament, they were written to specific church with application to the church at large.(v4)

God makes the message of salvation clear from the beginning of the book. The New Testament is all about Jesus and his desire for us to be members of his family. (v 5b-6; 22:17)

Jesus will return in the clouds, and everyone will see Him. (v 7)

Jesus is eternal. (v 8)

A particularly important verse

“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So, it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)

Our great hope is that sometime soon Jesus will return to our world. For Christians, this is our blessed hope. For the world, this will be a time of terror. They will mourn.

A One-Verse Outline of Revelation - Revelation 1:19

Therefore, write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this. (Rev 1:19 CSB)

Here we have a one-line preview of what is coming in Revelation.

What you have seen - This refers to the vision of Christ John will see. (Revelation 1)

What is now – John will be given seven short letters written to seven specific churches existing in John’s day. (Revelation 2-3)

What will take place later - John will be given a series of visions that will contain prophetic events that will occur in the future. (Revelation 4-22)

Final Thought

Don’t skip this introduction. It is rich in content and blessing. In the next article we will learn about the four visions of Revelation. But for now, re-read the first 8 verses and let them sink into your soul.

Peace,

Jim Warner