The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Introduction

For too long the book of Revelation has been a closed, mysterious, even frightening book. It has been the subject of wild speculation and fancy interpretation. Many have believed that it cannot be understood without great difficulty or the help of experts. All of these beliefs are not true. A few remarks pertaining to this series:

1. I am not here to call those who differ liars/heretics. I may mention some groups by name--not to question their Christian faith. Come with particular perspective but in peace. 2 Tim 2:23ff requires this of me.

2. I take the perspective that the book of Revelation was written about 90 AD. Do you differ with this statement? If so, that is fine with me. How this works out in interpetation will become clear as we proceed in study.

3. The purpose of this sermon is to persuade you that Revelation is a clear book that you can, with careful study, understand and apply to your own lives and the life of the church.

Points of the sermon:

1. This book is a revelation

• Revelation defined:  Greek: Apoka,luyij - to uncover, take out of hiding, disclose.

• This means the book is meant to be understood - This book has been considered a puzzle or mystery book for too long; God means for us to understand this book and he means for it to be practical (3).

• The key to understanding Revelation - 2 Timothy 3:16,17; help to us, not subject of speculation.

2. This book is a Revelation of Jesus Christ

• Two possible meanings:
  

  1. It reveals Christ.

  2. Christ reveals something. (This is the more likely meaning)

• Notice the chain in this verse: 6 levels; which God gave him-God the Father gave the revelation to the Son; why did he give it to them?  To show his servants (something); how did Christ give this revelation?  He made it known by sending his angel-angel a major figure in book (a;ggeloj 51 times in book); often serves as guide to John; and this angel was sent to his servant John. Not the revelation of John but of Christ.

• Importance of this: This book contains things that Christ wants us to know. In fact, the book has the form of an ancient epistle-cf. 4. This is in fact a letter from Jesus Christ and shown/dictated to John the apostle.  So we should pay attention to it. Too often Book of Revelation is seen as unreadable and unclear. But Christ has spoken and means to be understood, or else he does not mean what he says about the blessing in vs 3.

3. This book is a revelation of events of the last days

• Book of Revelation is to be interpreted by comparing Scripture with Scripture.  Two keys used to unlock its meaning are the Old Testament and the New Testament; great similarities to passages in Daniel, Ezekiel esp, but also Psalms and Exodus plus other books. Also references to Christ's Olivet discourse (Matt 24 et al).

• There are two parallels to our text in Daniel (Daniel 2:28-lit.) What will happen in the latter days. Context: Nebuchadnezzars's dream about 4 Kingdoms, last of which is Kingdom of God (Dan 2:44). Also Daniel 2:45 (lit) what will happen in the latter days.  Latter days=end times. Kingdom of God came when Christ came (Mark 1:15).

• John seems to be consciously borrowing Daniel's language here: show his servants what must soon (lit. within a short time) take place. Events Nebuchadnezzars dreamed were to take place in the last days. What are the Last days? Time between the two appearances of Christ (Acts 2:17; 2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3; Heb 1:2)

• This tells us what this book is about: God gave to Christ this Revelation, which he has given to us so that we may know what will take place in the time between his first coming to die for our sins and his second coming. He means for this all to be clear to us.

4. This book is finally a revelation in symbolic form

• The Greek text tells us to expect this: He made it known= in literal Greek, he made it known by signs sending his angel to his servant John. Greek term= sign/pointer. Greek word used here used in the New Testament, to point to a revelation of something (like Jesus' death) or to point to miracles that confirmed Jesus identity as Messiah.

• Purposes of signs? Sometimes to produce faith, to bear witness to Christ (miracles), and to manifest God's glory.

• But a book/passage in symbolic language has a special function Isa 6:9,10; Mark 4:10-12; symbolic language judgmental in nature--conceal truth from unbelieving/wicked so not be saved. Interpretation of symbols given to those God means to save. That is why it is wrong-headed to try to interpret symbolic pictures of Revelation literally without clear warrant from text. Try doing that with Judges 9:7-16! Is Kingdom of God literally a seed, or like seed? Revelation is not a roadmap for the future, but a book about the past, present and future of the church/what God in Christ has done, is doing, and will do.

• When you come to the symbols and pictures of Revelation take care to interpret carefully. See where the image may have been used before in Scripture (e.g., Rev 11:1-4 cf. Zech 4:1-6; the two witnesses represent the prophetic witness of the church). Look for explanations in the text itself (cf. 1:12-16, cf. Vs 20).

Conclusion

The book of Revelation is a letter from Jesus Christ in which God has revealed to us in symbolic form things that are to take place in the last days, i.e., the days between the first and second coming of Christ. He means for us to hear/understand the book, for us to be blessed. Thus it is not different from the rest of Scripture but rather of one piece with it. Read it as you would any other book of the Bible, to learn what you are to believe concerning God/what he has done, and what duty God requires of you.

Rev. Arthur J. Fox, Pastor
10 Spruce Street
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 944-5835