Revelation Study 3. Introduction and Rev 1:1-8

• How is your situation like the first-century situation in which John wrote Revelation? How is it different? 

Similarities: a secular world, with different opposition. Pressure to conform, apathy

Differences: non violent persecution in our location, the immediacy of apostolic authority then but dependency on completed Scripture now.  Secularism vs. pluralism, different non-centralised political systems (not just Rome). A clearer hope of Christ's return then

•  What do you think people need to know about biblical prophecy? (Is it strictly foretelling the future?) What features mark Revelation as a prophecy?

 Prophecy is both 'forthtelling' of God's view of a current or past situations as well as 'foretelling' of the future. 

• Why is it important that Revelation is an epistle (a letter)?

 It is meant for real people at the time it was written, by a real author. The book was meant to be understood at the time it was written. It spoke to particular situations and carried apostolic authority to minister, rebuke and exhort.

1. According to 1:1-3, why did God give this revelation? Also, what responses does He want its hearers to make?

 To let the readers know what " 'must soon take place', but the emphasis here is not so much on the immediate nature of the events (the meaning of tachys in Matt. 5:25; Luke 15:22; and John 11:29) but on their suddenness when they come (en tachei; cf. Acts 12:7; Rom. 16:20)."

For Thought and Discussion: Do you think the first phrase of 1:1 means "the revelation from Jesus," "the revelation about Jesus, " or both? Why?

The initial context suggests the fomer ('from'), but the second half of chapter 1 is about the latter ('about'), so both meanings are in view. Jesus is the 'sender and the centre of the message' cf. 'the testimony of Jesus Christ' (1:2)

 

 

2. The Jews were used to calling God "him who was, and who is, and who will be." John changed this to "him who is, and who was, and who is to come" (1:4). What might be his point(s) in doing this? (Consider 2:16;  3:11; 22:7,12,20.)

 To emphasize the coming Christ.

 

Optional Application: What difference does It make to you that God Is He "who is to come"? How should this affect the way you deal with your circumstances and the people around you?

One day, all our problems will end. We will be called to account for all we do. We should be patient, watchful and faithful.

 

For Thought and Discussion: To what truths is Jesus a faithful witness (1:5)?
 John bore witness (1:2) "to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw". Jesus is the faithful witness to God's nature, plan and character, His life confirmed OT promises.

 

1:3 promises a blessing - the first of seven (14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 14). The letter would have been read aloud by a particular reader in church, and heard by the congregation.

 

For Thought and Discussion: How has Jesus "freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelation 1:5)? See Romans 3:21-26 and Hebrews 9:11-10:18.

'Blood' in the NT always speaks of violent, sacrificial death. Jesus atoned for our sin, appeasing the wrath of the Father.

 

 

3. What does it mean that Jesus is "the firstborn from the dead" (1:5)? How did He become the firstborn? (Optional: See 1 Corinthians 15:3-4,20-28.) 

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor 15: 20)

The first to be resurrected into a spiritual body. The promise that all of us likewise will be resurrected.

 

4. How is it personally important to you that Jesus ...

• is "the faithful witness" (1:5)? I must also be a faithful witness, like John
• is "the firstborn from the dead" (1:5)? I also have hope in the life to come, not on this life.
• is "the ruler of the kings of the earth" (1:5)? I trust His sovereign authority even when facing unjust authority
• "loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" (1:5)? I must love Him who loves me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20)

 

5. What does it imply about you that Jesus "has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father" (1:6)?

• kingdom (see, for example, 2:26-27, 5:10). We who are oppressed now will have ruling authority
• priests (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5,9). We have direct access to God, offering our cleansed bodies as living sacrifices

Study notes

 Grace and peace (1:4). Like Paul (1 Corinthians 1:1-3), John replaces the "greetings" in his letter with an explicitly Christian "Grace and peace to you." "Grace" refers to God's presence with the believer that empowers him to live the Christian life. "Peace" summarizes the blessings that flow from God's presence.
Him who is, and who was, and who is to come (1:4). "An adaptation of the name of God made known to Moses at the bush, Exodus 3:14." The Greek translation of the Old Testament rendered this name as "I am who I am" and "I am he who is." One of the commentary paraphrases that circulated among Jewish congregations expanded this to "I am he who is and who will be." In Deuteronomy 32:39, this paraphrase reads, "I am he who is, and who was, and I am he who will be."5 Thus, John is building on a familiar title for God

  
Seven spirits before his throne (1:4). Since seven signifies perfection and essence, most interpreters think the seven spirits "represent the Holy Spirit in his fullness of life and blessing." Thus, 1:4-5 is a blessing from each member of the Trinity. Before the main body of his letter, John inserts a hymn of praise to Jesus (1:5-6) and a short prophecy (1:7-8). Even before the vision of 1:12-20, we have a striking portrait of Christ. 

The Alpha and the Omega (1:8). Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last. Compare 1:17.