To read this text CLICK HERE 

Revelation 1:1-3, The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  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 in it, because the time is near. 

Today we begin one of the most difficult and misunderstood books of the Bible.  It’s going to be a great journey! The book was written by the apostle John, much later in his life, while he was exiled on the island of Patmos.  Revelation was sent as a circular letter to the seven churches of Asia Minor, to be passed from church to church and read aloud.  It was intended to address the real needs of real people.  For some churches, it was a word of encouragement in the midst of terrible persecution to give them a bigger perspective; there was more going on in the world than they could see or imagine.  To other churches, it was a word of conviction.  But most of all, it was prophecy.  Let’s be careful to not mix up prophecy with prediction.  Prophecy is a divine message.  Thus, Revelation is a word from God by his angel to John.  It is God revealing that which was previously unknown.   

The beginning of today’s chapter, verses 1-8, serves as a kind of prologue.  It introduces the author and general theme of the book.  Then, the book goes right into four visions that John received from the risen Lord.  In our culture and reading style, we tend to be very concerned with words.  Revelation is really more about images.  My encouragement would be to not get caught up in taking the words literally but focus more on the images that your mind sees as you read the passage.  Remember, this was intended to provide a broadened perspective, a more eternal one, for people who were being harshly persecuted and even tortured for their faith.  This book demonstrates that while evil may feel overwhelming, it will NOT have the final word.  There is more to the world than that which we see with our human eyes.  There is a battle going on.  And in the end, Jesus wins.  

One additional note on our focus verses for today.  The Scripture says that those who read it will be blessed, as are those who hear it and take it to heart.  First, try to imagine how those words must have resonated with the first hearers of this message.  It was the end of the first century and Christians were very much harassed and oppressed in many of these areas.  How encouraging it would have been for them to hear this word of promise and blessing.  While we live in a different time and culture, the Scripture also applies to us.  I trust that we will also be blessed by reading this book and blessed as we try to understand it and take it to heart.  I ask that we all pray for open hearts and minds as we begin this journey into this exciting and complex book of the Bible! 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Thank you for your words in the book of Revelation.  Give us wisdom and discernment as we begin our study.  May we be blessed and maybe even convicted as we dwell in your Word.  I pray for changed hearts and lives.  In Your Name, Amen.