The book of Revelation reminds me of a TV detective named Columbo. Each program began by showing the audience the murder, then we watched the inspector solve the crime. The show always ended with the big reveal. Today’s lesson is about paying attention to clues. This book is full of symbolism and prophesy. It provides insights and new understanding into God’s timeline. Chapter 1 begins with an intriguing preface: “The revelation from Jesus Christ… to show His servants what must soon take place.” The author is the apostle John: “who testifies to everything he saw.” And the book comes with a promise: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written.” Let’s watch John reveal heaven’s perspective. The letter is addressed to “the seven churches in the province of Asia.” Many believe these represent the types of churches. I believe the Word of God is written to minister to the individual, so perhaps it relates to our various seasons. John greets the reader: “Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come.” John includes his introduction of Christ: “who is the faithful witness… firstborn from the dead… who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.” The resurrected Christ is completely different.
Before beginning his story, John inserts a quote from the prophet Daniel to provide a picture of Messiah for his Jewish brethren: “Look, He is coming with the clouds… every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him… and all peoples on earth will mourn because of Him.” John compares this image to the words Jesus spoke to him: “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is, and who was, and who is to come.” John writes while imprisoned in exile “on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” He continues: “I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.’” He lists the cities by name, each was an actual city in his region. I believe the message is written for us today.
John looked toward the sound: “when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands.” Among them was “someone like a son of man.” The Messiah he describes is the Lord in His glory: “a golden sash around his chest… hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow… eyes were like blazing fire… feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace.” Fire always symbolizes judgement; so we see perfect purity and righteous judgment combined in one being. “In His right hand He held seven stars, and coming out of His mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining.” Here is a picture of total control. Holding all things in His right hand, and out of His mouth is the Word of God. The Word is represented as the sword of judgement. Note John’s reaction: “When I saw Him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” Some today reject God because He does not immediately punish every evil. Today is a season of patient mercy. His second coming will be terrifying to many. John adds: “He placed His right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid’.” The Lord continues: “I am the Living One… I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” The chapters that follow will make it clear that all our manmade divisions are meaningless. Christ is returning to bring the final judgement. The Lord tells John to: “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” We are also called to be trustworthy witnesses. Because of this testimony, some will confess; some will repent; others will try to escape. I just have one more question for you; are you ready for His return?