When John speaks for
himself...
Revelation Chapter
1
As we begin to interpret John’s description
of this vision, we must pay close attention to any instruction that he
offers in chapter one. These verses introduce Revelation in a way
that explain John’s own "method of interpretation" for the vision.
This then is "The revelation of Jesus Christ..." or an unveiling of who
is God’s anointed son, His messiah. First and foremost then this
is a vision by and about Jesus Christ! And thus regarding "what must
soon take place." The term "His servants", includes John’s first
readers; that is the seven churches in Asia Minor that he was primarily
addressing. Churches concerned with the unique circumstances at the
close of the first century. "He made it known", that is, He communicated
this revelation using signs and symbols (according to the original Greek
word). John saw "the word of God". The scriptures came to life
for John in a heavenly vision. All of the glorious prophetic meanings
come together in God’s messiah and "He made it known" through this revelation.
"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10).
Revelation interacts with the books of the Old Covenant as well as the
New, to portray a drama of historical and heavenly significance, which
draws together the entire set of scriptures. Regarding "what must
soon take place", John is conveying his pastoral concern for the seven
churches in view of an impending persecution by Rome and in light of Christ’s
soon expected return. Verse 3 is the first of seven beatitudes within
the book. A blessing is promised for "the reader" and the obedient
hearers. The churches of the first century would have understood
this to be the lector who would have had the responsibility to read out
loud to the assembled believers. Those who read this prophecy without
distortion would be blessed. John’s concern for the unedited transmission
of his writings, reflects an awareness of compromising tendencies within
some of the churches. Again John emphasizes that "the time is near",
which is convincing evidence that from among the images of this vision
he saw events contemporary to his day and the circumstances confronting
the Christian community at that time. It is for the Church’s well
being that God has shaped history. The cross is history’s (and therefore
salvation’s) proof positive of God’s love for His remnant people.
The exaltation of Christ now serves to bring hope and courage to the representatives
(priests) of His kingdom!