John's Testimony

Introduction

Continuing to introduce Book of Revelation. Further detail vs 2 re: content of the book. Main topic not the amazing events of the end times, but the amazing God and Saviour behind them. Want to note again intentional ambiguity of John in use of vocabulary. Word of God/testimony of Jesus Christ can be subjective (Word/testimony about them) or objective (Word/testimony of God/Jesus Christ). Either possible, likely both intended; adds depth to book. God/Jesus revealing things about selves/their actions by means of symbols/pictures. Point of message: show how Revelation is to be approached. The book of revelation must be approached as a revelation from God about who he is and what he has been, is/will be doing. Which is to say, The main subject of the book of Revelation is the sovereign God himself. 

1. The Book of Revelation is John's testimony about the things he saw (1b-2a)

• Simply want to reinforce this: 1b Literal translation-He made it known by means of signs by his angel to his servant John. John serves as a witness to the symbolic depiction of history.

• The book is prophetic in character in two senses: 1. Predicts future, i.e., coming of the Kingdom of God. But rem. Prophecy not just foretelling/also forthtelling, i.e., God speaks to his people about their sins, calls to repentance, encourages and comforts. Thus 2. Revelation prophetic in that it does all of this: e.g., 2:20; 3:17f; 12:10-12; 3:10.

2. The Book of Revelation is John's testimony about God and Jesus (2b; cf. 12)

• Testimony of Christ a pattern in John: John 20:31; 1 John 1:1-4; simply following through on Great Commission; What he writes here is what the Spirit inspired/Christ commanded: vs 19.

• John tells us about God and Jesus: He tells us God gave the Revelation (1); the Christ has made us kings and priests to serve the Father/thus that we are servants of God/God is the beginning/end, that Jesus is God (cf., 1:8 & 17.

• In sum the main point of the book is this: God the Father and God the Son are the central figures in history; history's purpose and focus are upon the working out of God's sovereign purpose to exalt Christ, his Son and present to him the Church as his holy bride. This is John's testimony about God and Jesus.

3. The Book of Revelation is also John's testimony to what God and Jesus revealed (2b; cf. 9b)

• The objective testimony of this book is to this revelation: 1:1, 19 again; also 2:1, 8,12, 18; 3:1,7,14; 4:1 (what John saw is what he was shown).

• The Spirit of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy- Rev 22:16,20; this means that Jesus is at the heart of all prophecy, but especially at the heart of the book of Revelation. We are reading Revelation wrong if we think this book is about what happens to us, primarily. We are important only insofar as we are a part of Christ's victory over his foes.

• Therefore we are to read this book of Revelation with a set purpose: That purpose: to find out what God and Christ want to tell us about themselves and their purposes: the Kingdom of God is at hand! All Scripture to be read this way-god's self-revelation; Christ's incarnation in fact a part of this self-revelation (John 1:18). When you read the bible, rather than read it to learn God's will first, read instead to learn of God and his character and plan of redemption first-what you need to know of his will for your life will flow out of those things. Brings us to see

4. Finally, the Book of Revelation is a Useful book

• It is an ethical book: Since in it God speaks to his people about their sins, calls to repentance, encourages and comforts, we ought to find these things speaking to us as well. If we study it carefully, will learn something of how God wants us to live/about our sins/encouragement and comfort. Expect these as you read.

• It is a corrective book: Too inclined to self-centered living/man-centered view of history. Revelation forces us to look at life through the eyes of our God/his Son. Should teach us to live Christ-centered lives/view day to day events in history as part of God working his plan for his Son's Kingdom. Expect to have your vision corrected

• It is an evangelistic book: Surprised? Look at the end of the book-22:14,15, 20. Every part of the gospel is here-call to faithful living, rebuke of sin, warning of punishment for sin, Christ's coming as the end of possibility of salvation. If we understand history we know judgment coming, basis for warning neighbors. Teaches us to make Christ the heart of our testimony rather than our experiences. Expect to learn to make Jesus the center of your witness to others.

Conclusion

If you want to understand the book of Revelation, turn your eyes away from visions of tribulation and how to escape it all. For too many, that is what the book is all about. But it is not so/should not be our focus. Instead, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of the earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.