Scripture: 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, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 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.
Revelation 1:1-3 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, three days after arriving at his quarters, Paul summons local Jewish leaders to explain the circumstances that compelled him to appeal to Caesar—adding that he finds himself in chains merely because of the hope of Israel. The leaders interject that they have not received any letters nor heard any news about Paul but advise him that Jews everywhere speak against the Way. Later, a larger group of leaders meet at Paul’s lodgings, where he expounds on the Way’s doctrine, mainly that Jesus is the Messiah revealed in the Law of Moses and the Prophets. While some believed, others rejected the evidence, sparking Paul to confront their unbelief as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding Israel’s hardened hearts. Luke then closes his second volume on a positive note, stating that Paul lived two years under house arrest at his own expense, welcoming visitors and proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom without hindrance.
Today’s passage begins our journey through the book of Revelation, which foretells the consummation of Christ’s kingdom. Whereas Genesis through Joshua chronicles Israel’s Promised Land and Matthew through Acts reveals the worldwide church’s Promised Land, the book of Revelation unveils the final journey to a Promised Land untarnished by sin that intimately conjoins the Father and Son to all generations of their chosen people in their heavenly kingdom on a new earth.
John begins with a prologue, telling his readers that this “revelation of Jesus Christ” is not the revealing of Christ (which John’s Gospel presents) but is the disclosure of “the things that must soon take place” (v.1). As such, John received this revelation through Christ’s angel, who thus testified to John the word of God and Jesus Christ (v.2). Lastly, any who read these prophetic words aloud and those who hear and obey these prophetic words will be blessed because the time is near (v.3).
Takeaway: John introduces Christ’s divine odyssey by establishing the chain of authority. God the Father is the source, God the Son is the mediator, an angel of the Lord is the revealer, and John the servant is the disseminator. But John is not the only servant. The Greek doulos, which connotes a servant or slave, appears eleven times in this book regarding God’s people, for all who testify to the word of God are servants to the word, or, to put it more bluntly, in bondage to the word. Thus, the chain of command extends to us with the authority and mandate of the Co-Creator of the universe (Matthew 28:18-19).
To testify or witness the revelation, as the Greek word martyria translates, carries an element of suffering, as Jesus and his disciples incurred. Thus, those of us who testify to Christ and his return will undoubtedly encounter resistance at some point that spurs some degree of suffering, whether or not life-threatening (see John 18:18-21).
Regarding Jesus’ return, the Greek word for “time,” karios, refers to fulfillment at the appointed time and points to the Son of God’s return as its object. But what are we to make of the parousia being “near”? Jesus (Matthew 25:1-13) and all the New Testament writers (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) spoke of Christ’s return with a sense of urgency to spark their audiences to be alert and ready.
So, how must we be vigilant and ready? With an eye on the future while grounded in the present, we come under the blessings of Christ’s revelations by reading aloud his revelation, hearing it with understanding, and obeying it. That said, reading Scripture aloud does not alone prepare oneself for Christ’s return. In ancient Israel, the public reading of Scripture was a form of worship intended to provoke repentance (see Nememiah 8:1-8). Thus, if we genuinely seek to be vigilant and ready, we must immerse ourselves in the word, hearing and proclaiming it in a manner that leads to repentance and obedience.
To sum up, we remain alert to the signs of the time while preparing here and now for Christ’s return by immersing ourselves in his revelation (coming under its blessings by hearing, proclaiming, repenting, and obeying it). And being fully aware of the suffering that comes through obedience to Christ’s revelation, we keep reminding ourselves that this King of the Universe is in us (Colossians 1:27) and with us each step of the way (Matthew 28:20).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, submitting to your will, became a blessing to us through his life, death, and resurrection. And we thank you for the blessings that continue to flow to and through us as we read, hear, and obey your Son’s words. Still, we confess that we find it hard to immerse ourselves in your Son’s revelation when facing trials and suffering. So would you please help us listen to your Son’s revelation with an understanding that leads to repentance and obedience so that we might be faithful servants administering his words to others? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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