Revelation 1 Commentary
The Book of Revelation is a letter containing Jesus Christ’s revelation to God’s servants. This revelation contains seven letters to seven named churches in modern-day Turkey: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
The number seven is symbolic. We shall see countless symbols in this book. Therefore, the letters to these churches merely provide real-time context to the revelation.
Yes, it’s a letter but John calls it a prophecy. Verse 2. Therefore, it falls within the category of the larger body of prophetic material: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah, among others. It must be read as such. At the same time, it remains a letter that was meant to be understood by its original audience.
“Who is, and who was, and who is to come”: Taken together, the statements may refer to the ever-present God – the I’AM God. “Who is” may refer to the God who is sovereign and remains in charge of time and space in real-time and at all times. “Who was” may refer to John’s love for ‘beginning’ or Genesis. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1 verses 1 to 3.
“Who is to come” may refer to the renewal of all things when Jesus comes in glory. It will be another creation! In this way, the Book of Revelation covers “all time” from the beginning to the everlasting. Objectively and as stated in the book itself, the events in this book take place between John’s time and the time of the grand renewal of things – the new Heaven and the new Earth.
So if you find yourself in the middle of the timeline, like 2024, some events have already taken place, while others are yet to take place. For example, the grand return of the Son of Man is a future event, even for 2023/2024 babies!
Chapter 1 celebrates the King: Yeshua, the Messiah; the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, Ruler of kings, freedom giver by his blood, Kingdom maker (of priests), Alpha and Omega, Almighty, Son of Man, Snow-white appearance, blazing fire eyes, bronze feet, Rushing water voice, Sharp double-edged sword, shining face like the sun, First and the Last, Living One, alive forever and ever, and Holder of keys of death and hades.
Of course, there is more but these lines underline our thoughts more strongly. We have come across them several times in the Old Testament. Isaiah talks about the cleansed saint who is white as snow. Isaiah 1 verse 18. Now we understand what God is doing – achieving a snow-white appearance for his servants, just like the Son of Man!
The face of the Son of Man blinded Paul. Peter talks about the royal priesthood and a holy nation. It’s a joy to ponder these lines in view of the entire written Word!
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