The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1)

There is an incredible variety of literary techniques that God used in His Word to convey what He wanted to reveal to us. Symbolic language is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which the book of Revelation is an outstanding example. It contains the account of visions in symbolic and allegorical language. At this point, let me mention that Revelation contains a variety of rhetoric or literary techniques namely metaphor, simile, personification, symbolism, imagery, hyperbole and chiasm among others. We will encounter these techniques and it is of paramount importance to understand so that we do not misinterpret scriptures. 

Here is the prologue or the initial opening remarks of the book of Revelation. "1.The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." The above opening verses are very significant. This prologue describes the source, contents, and audience of the book. First, this book is the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday I mentioned that the Greek word for revelation is apocalypsis which mean to uncover. It takes the cover off the hidden things of God. First, the source of the revelations is God. He gave Jesus these revelations. He gave them to show his servants what must happen soon. Second, this is a revelation about Jesus. It is the revelation of the person of Jesus Christ. He is the one who rose from the dead, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is a revelation of God’s glory and power. Third, this revelation gives a certainty of the things that must soon take place. Well, am sure someone will wonder, how soon is soon? In my view soon could mean that it will happen in the near future or to mean the certainty of what must happen. I can’t speculate when soon is soon but all I know is that God has said it, it will happen. As for the precise time, I don’t know. So what must you and I do as far as this revelation is concerned? Acknowledge that the source of this message is God Himself and that as verse three say, God will bless the person who reads, hears and keeps the words of this message. John warns that there is not much time left. Verse 4, introduces us to the seven churches and seven spirits of God. These representative churches are mentioned by name in Rev 1:11, and each is the recipient of a message (Rev 2:1–3:22). We are being informed that John sends the message to the 7 churches in the region called Asia. So, does that mean that it not applicable to the contemporary church? Certainly no! Seven is the biblical number suggesting fullness and completeness; thus the seer is writing for the whole church. Seven is a sign of something perfect or complete. John starts his letter with a prayer for grace and peace from the eternal God (who is, who was and is to come. The Alpha (first letter of the Greek alphabet) and Omega (the last letter of the Greek alphabet)).

In the following verses, John introduces himself and the glorified Christ to us, “ I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus,Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 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 in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” 

Verses 12-16, Jesus is portrayed in all His glorious appearance. He is clothed with a garment right down to His feet, and girded with a golden girdle, thereby emphasizing His priestly and royal dignity. His hair, white like wool, symbolizes His wisdom, while His eyes that are as a flame of fire, symbolizes that nothing is hidden from His sight. His feet like fine brass as if they burned in a furnace, depict His absolute holiness and purity. As for the seven stars and lambstands are clearly explained. In verse 20, "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Christ Himself is the Lamp. 

Let me pose a question who are those angels? I'll answer that tomorrow as we look at the individual churches. 

Baraka,
Kachel