The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Power, Hope, and the Blessing of Obedience

Summary

This introduction to Revelation explains John’s vision of Jesus Christ and the book’s purpose as apocalyptic prophecy. Revelation reveals Christ as the victorious Lord who discloses God’s plan and calls believers to repentance and obedience. Expectation of Christ’s return motivates holy living. God promises a special blessing to those who read and obey Revelation, guiding them onto the right path of God’s will, assurance, and spiritual wholeness despite difficult circumstances.

John’s Vision on the Isle of Patmos

John, the son of Zebedee, had a grand vision of Jesus Christ one Sunday while working at a prison camp on the Isle of Patmos. As a result, he addressed letters to seven bewildered churches in what is now present-day Türkiye. They were confused because Rome, rather than Christ, seemed to be in control.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation is about power, battle, freedom, faith, hope, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the conqueror. All Christians share His victory.

Understanding Apocalyptic and Prophetic Writing

The first three sentences of Revelation 1 feature two words that are clues to its meaning. The first word in the Greek text is apocalypse. In English, it is translated as “revelation.”

Apocalyptic literature encompasses hiddenness, upheaval, and God’s decisive action. That certainly describes Revelation!

There is another keyword. The book is also a prophecy. The purpose of prophetic writing is both to predict future events and call people to repent.

It communicates information and expects a response. It promises a blessing to all who read and obediently hear it. It is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation means to expose in plain view what was once hidden or secret. It is always God who reveals in the New Testament.

Jesus Christ as the Revealer

Christ is the revealer in Revelation. He alone is worthy to disclose its contents.  He said these events will soon occur.

Living in Light of the End

The idea that the end is near is common in the New Testament. The church has long expected the end of all things to be close.

That expectation motivates holy living. In other words, live as if Jesus could return today.

The Meaning of Blessing in Revelation

Much of the book’s symbolism is related to the Old Testament. In Revelation 1:3, God promises a special blessing to those who read the book and obey its message. This is the first of seven beatitudes in the book.

The word translated as “blessing” means to find the right pathway when there are competing false pathways. That is also the meaning of the word translated as “blessed” in Proverbs and Psalms.

Walking the Pathway of God’s Will

God’s revealed will is the right pathway. On it, we find meaning and direction in life. It makes sense. It brings wholeness.

When we understand the meaning of being blessed, we should not use it casually. It does not express some superficial feeling. It communicates confident assurance that walking in God's pathway is good.

Even though circumstances might suggest otherwise, the path of blessing is the straight and narrow way of God's will. We are on that path to be a blessing to others.

Are you on that path? If not, I encourage you to begin following it today. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

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