Revelation: A Perspective
With tiny wrinkles and cries, he entered through a stable door and, wrapped in strips of cloth, took his first nap on a bed of straw. He grew to manhood in the obscure and dusty Nazareth in Roman-occupied Palestine, his gentle hands becoming strong and calloused in Josephs’ wood working shop.
As a man, he walked through the countryside and city, touching individuals, preaching to crowds and training 12 men to carry on his work. At every step he was hounded by those seeking to rid the world of his influence. Finally, falsely accused and tried. He was condemned to a disgraceful execution. And he died—spat upon, cursed, pierced, and hung heavenward for all to deride. Jesus, the God-man, Isaiah’s suffering servant, humbly living, loving, giving, and dying…to bring life.
Jesus will return. But this time, the risen and ascended one will burst into history, announced and flanked by angels, with an ear-splitting shout and trumpet blast. And all the world will see and know—he is the Christ, he is the King, he is LORD! Those who love him will rejoice, greeting their Savior with songs and hearts overflowing with joy. But his enemies will be filled with fear. Allied with Satan in a final attempt to finish him, they will marshal and march their legions against the armies of God. But who can withstand God’s wrath? Christ will win the battle and reign victorious forever! Jesus, the humble, suffering Servant, is also the powerful, conquering King and Judge.
This is the message of [the Book of Revelation], revealing Jesus’ true and full identity. Written to first-century believers who had been torn and nearly crushed by persecution, Revelation is a book of hope. John…proclaims that their victorious LORD will surely return to vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked. But Revelation is also a book of warning. Things are not as they should be in the churches, so Christ calls them to live in righteousness.
Although Jesus gave this revelation of himself to John nearly 2,000 years ago, it still stands as a warning to God’s people today. We can take heart as we understand John’s vision of hope—Christ will return to rescue his people and settle accounts with all who defy him.
John begins this book by explaining how he received this revelation from God (1:1-20). He then records specific messages from Jesus to the seven churches in Asia (2:1—3:22). Suddenly the scene shifts as a mosaic of dramatic and majestic images bursts into view before John’s eyes. The series of visions portray the future rise of evil, culminating in the antichrist (4:1—18:24). Then follows the triumph of the King of kings, the marriage of the Lamb, the final Judgment, and the coming of the new Jerusalem (19:1—22:5). Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ’s soon return (22:6-21), and John breathes a prayer which has been echoed by Christians through he centuries, “Amen. Come, LORD Jesus!” (22:30).
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