THE BOOK OF REVELATION

INTRODUCTION - We are told in the introduction to Revelation (verses 1-4) that whoever reads this book will receive a great blessing. Therefore, we must realize that it is not to be considered a "closed" or "unintelligible" letter, but a book of great blessing and profit. As we read we must do so with both Old Testament ears and early church understanding, for the people of God in the first century fully understood this book as it applied to their day and age. Nor should we forget the overall theme: The Triumph of the Church of Jesus Christ. Revelation will warn of the great persecutions and tribulations which the church will go through, yet its message will remind us continually that Christ is over all and His church will prevail. This morning we shall look at the greeting of Revelation which reveals to us the author, the recipients, and the salutation found in verses four through six.

1) THE AUTHOR OF REVELATION - THE APOSTLE JOHN - Certainly we should have no problem identifying the Apostle John. He was originally a fisherman, the "disciple whom Jesus loved", and author of a Gospel and several New Testament letters. In his writings, we often find him dealing with lofty spiritual matters and truths. Thus, his language borders at times on the "mystical" (John 1:1), as he uses complex and abstract terms to describe his theology. John would be the perfect choice to record the incredible vision of Revelation.

As he writes, we must remember that he is an Apostle under persecution and exile. He had already seen several of his fellow apostles go to their deaths and now he was banished to hard labor on the island of Patmos because of his witness (Revelation 1:9). Yet we can see that even in this exile, John was made an example to the persecuted church. He will teach them through his own example what it is to suffer for the name of Christ and how to come through those tribulations with victory. He will pull back the veil of heaven in Revelation to show the suffering church the truth behind her enemies and eventual victory.

2) THE RECIPIENTS OF REVELATION - THE SEVEN CHURCHES - The seven churches mentioned are actual churches in existence during the writing of Revelation (see Revelation 1:11 and the map below). John will have a particular message for each of these congregations in chapters two and three. Some have suggested that the churches represent ages in church history, but such an interpretation is unsound and does not work in the unfolding of church history. Yet at the same time, we realize that the message of Revelation was not relegated to only seven churches. John seems to intimate this when he uses the number "seven" in his description of these churches. There were certainly more than seven churches in Asia at the time of writing and since "seven" is used so often in this book, we may assume that John has a fuller meaning here.

A) THE NUMBER "SEVEN" - In Revelation we will see seven blessings, spirits, candlesticks, stars, seals, horns, eyes, angels, trumpets, thunders, heads, crowns, plagues, bowls, and kings. Obviously the number is being used symbolically. Throughout the Word of God, as numbers are studied, commentators have found that "seven" is the one number which bears a certain meaning to it. The consensus has agreed that "seven" conveys the idea of completeness, entirety, perfection, and totality. Thus, if we took this meaning back to the "seven" churches, we could say that John certainly has these seven churches in mind, and yet at the same time he has the entire, complete church in mind as he writes. The church throughout every generation. All churches through all generations are the recipients of his message.

B) THE WASHED ONES - A second designation which John gives to the readers is that we are "washed ones". We have been washed in the blood of Christ. John reminds the church that we were once in the world, but now we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and cleansed from our sins through Him.

C) KINGS AND PRIESTS OF GOD - The title "kings and priests" originally was given to Israel (Exodus 19:6) but now applies to the greater expression of God's people - the church of Jesus Christ. Here we find that Jew and Gentile have been made one in Christ, and are united together as God's people. Every member is now a priest, having immediate access to God through Christ. Every member is now a king, ruling and reigning with the ascended Savior and Lord who sits on the throne of David. Thus, we see the Old Testament kingdom being fulfilled in the church. Israel is no longer the people of God, but all believers, both Jew and Gentile, are the people of God in Christ's body, the Church.

Through the use of these descriptions, John elevates the Christians who read this letter, showing that though they may suffer in this world, they are not to forget their true position in life - kings, priests, servants of God, bought by the blood of Christ. With such a grand description of God's people, what have they to fear from earthly kings or demonic forces? The church will triumph in Christ over all her enemies!

3) THE GREETING OF REVELATION - GRACE AND PEACE FROM THE TRIUNE GOD

This is a familiar salutation found in other epistles. Grace is the unmerited favor which God extends to sinners while peace is the reconciliation which comes from being in Christ Jesus. Both blessings are enjoyed by the people of God and are extended to us in and through the work of the Trinity.

A) FROM GOD THE FATHER - The Father is described in His eternal and unchanging nature. It will be this stability which becomes the foundation for Christians in every century who will go through this changing and uncertain world. God is our stability.

B) FROM GOD THE SPIRIT - The number "seven" again can mean "completeness, totality" and so the "seven Spirits" is a reference to the Spirit of God in all His fullness and ministry. He is the sanctifying Spirit, applying grace and peace to our hearts, acting as our counselor and comforter in this world.

C) FROM GOD THE SON - Grace and peace are purchased for us through Christ's work at Calvary. It is because of this that the Father can bestow them and the Spirit can apply them to our hearts. Christ is the one who came into this world to preach the good news. He is the one who has risen from the dead, and now is seated as King of kings. Thus, He is worthy to receive all the glory and dominion for His blessed sacrifice (Revelation 1:6).

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