In most works of literature, the final chapter or chapters contain the conclusion of the plot lines that were introduced throughout the book. Usually, things come together in a way that is understandable and coherent. While the Holy Scriptures are unique among all the world’s literature because God inspires them, they, too, follow this pattern.
The first two chapters of Genesis recount the creation of the world and introduce the main characters of the story. In the initial creation, everything is perfect. Then, Satan enters the scene, and Adam disobeys God’s explicit command.
From Genesis chapter three to Revelation chapter twenty, the consequences of man’s rebellion against God are recorded. Mingled among the misery, death, and destruction that result from sin are the promises of the eventual coming of the Redeemer. These promises provide hope for something better. The final two chapters of Revelation mirror the perfection of Eden after God destroys evil, fully redeems those who worship Him, and restores the earth and the heavens to their original design.
Thinking about the book of Revelation, God’s last book, reminds us that last words are often cherished words. As Believers, we revere Jesus’ final words after His resurrection but before He ascended to heaven. He gave us a commission to make disciples of all people and promised that He would be with us until the end of the age.
In the book of Revelation, we find the final words of Jesus, included in the canon of Holy Scripture. They are words given to us after His earthly ministry was completed and He had ascended to His Father. In this book, He has a final message for us. The opening verses are a fitting introduction to “God’s Last Book.” The text for our consideration is Revelation 1:1-3.
These verses offer several INSIGHTS into the composition of God’s last book, thereby strengthening our faith in Jesus Christ.
The First INSIGHT is,
The Intent of the Book
Some people shy away from reading or teaching from the Book of Revelation. They say it’s too confusing, too hard to understand, too divisive. Why would God give us a portion of Scripture like that? That view of this book contradicts my understanding of the God of the Bible. The letter John wrote to the churches in Revelation was not meant to obscure things. Just the opposite is true; it is intended to reveal something. It is designed to comfort and encourage followers of Christ who were experiencing a time of severe persecution. The good news is that Jesus would ultimately triumph over evil and bring judgment on the wicked.
This is not difficult. The intent of the book is clearly spelled out in the opening phrase, “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” There is some debate among scholars about the use of the preposition “of.” It can be translated as either ‘about’ or ‘from’. The book’s content is revealed to Jesus by God, from Jesus to the angel, to John by the angel, and finally, to us. It all originates from God. However, it also reveals to us Jesus’ unique ministry in the things that are to come.
The word “revelation” in the original is apokalupsis; in English, “apocalypse.” This may surprise you, but despite our contemporary usage, in biblical usage, the apocalypse isn’t about a world-ending disaster and has no connection with zombies. It simply means to unveil or uncover something that is hidden.
This word is used only one other time in the New Testament in Luke 2:32, where Simeon, quoting from the prophet Isaiah, declares Jesus to be “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles.” The ministry of Jesus and the apostles would unveil the inclusion of the Gentiles into His spiritual family. Its Hebrew equivalent is used in Numbers 22:31, where God “uncovered” Balaam’s eyes so he could see the destroying angel that barred his way. Immediately, Balaam fell flat on his face. As we will see, John’s response was similar to Balaam’s when he received the revelation from Jesus (1:17).
While the revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, that doesn’t mean that the entire letter is easily understood. Apocalyptic literature is a distinct genre that requires careful study to comprehend its meaning fully. Here’s one example. Because John was writing during a time of intense persecution, he disguised his references to the Roman government in picturesque terms that wouldn’t be considered seditious. In this way, his writings are like the way Daniel recorded the prophecies God gave to him.
So, the intent of the book of Revelation is clear; it is the unveiling of Christ and His plans for the culmination of human history as we know it.
The Next INSIGHT is,
The Content of the Book
I note here the close connection between God the Father and Jesus. God gave this revelation to Jesus for a specific purpose. Interestingly, Jesus highlighted this closeness with the Father seven times in the Gospel of John. He spoke the words of God under the authority of God. As you may know, seven and multiples of seven are very common in the book of Revelation.
The revelation of Jesus Christ is not primarily the manifestation or disclosure of Him; we have that in the Gospels (see John 1:14). This is the revelation GIVEN by Jesus to John! He is the great Revealer. He is the author of the revelation, the unveiling. However, we do see Jesus in a new light; we learn things about Him we didn’t see in the Gospels. In His glorified state, He functions in ways that were not a part of His earthly ministry.
God gave Jesus this revelation to unveil and show His servants the things which must (as the decree of the absolute, infallible God) soon (quickly, shortly) take place. This is the scope of the content of the book. Since only God can know the future, we can only conclude that this is predictive prophecy! The grammar indicates a complete fulfillment of the things prophesied, not just their beginning. These things must shortly come to pass in their entirety.
However, the time is relative and is determined by God’s clock, not ours. We see this in Luke 18:8, where God promises justice for His chosen ones. “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” The promise is for speedy vengeance, but the second sentence implies a lengthy delay. In 2 Peter 3:8, the apostle contrasts time from our perspective vs. God’s perspective; a thousand years are like one day to Him. So, while the time may be distant, when things begin, they will come to pass in rapid succession, without delay.
Further, Jesus sent and signified this message to John through His angel. In this context, to signify something meant to verify its authenticity. Remember, the Pharisees demanded a sign from Jesus to prove His messiahship. He rebuked them because of their unbelief and told them there would be no sign for them. However, in Matthew 12:39-40, He gave the experience of the prophet Jonah as a sign. In John 12:33, He said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” These were not signs or tokens meant to satisfy the curious but to authenticate His ministry to those who truly believed and followed Him.
Here, verification of the unveiling was Christ sending His angel to John. There was no doubt in John’s mind about the source and veracity of this revelation. This was not his own word; these were the inspired words of God delivered by Jesus Christ through the angel! The prophet Daniel had similar experiences with God’s messengers and prophetic messages.
One of the unique aspects of this book’s content is its connection to the Old Testament. Warren Wiersbe has calculated that of the 404 verses of Revelation, 278 of them contain references to the Old Testament. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Daniel provide the bulk of these references. In his commentary on the Book of Daniel, the late John Walvoord states that Daniel’s prophecy is the key to understanding prophetic revelation. Indeed, as we shall see, there are many similarities between the visions, descriptions, and conclusions of both books. By one author’s count, there are 34 allusions to Daniel chapter seven scatter throughout Revelation.
John testifies of the prophetic Word given by God and witnessed by Jesus Christ. More than 40 times throughout this book, John says, “I saw.” Twenty-eight times he says, “I heard…” Hearing and seeing are two primary senses that facilitate learning. The things John heard and saw were given by God through Jesus Christ. He was an eyewitness. The content of God’s last book is well verified!
The Final INSIGHT is,
The Extent of the Book
In its original context, John wrote this letter to encourage the churches of his time, which were undergoing great persecution. John authored this letter while in exile on the island of Patmos. It is significant that in 86 AD, Domitian built a temple in Ephesus, claiming to be its chief deity. At the same time, the people of Ephesus were forced to worship and make sacrifices to Domitian, practices that John would have indeed denounced.
John’s opposition to emperor worship, in addition to his continued preaching of the Gospel, ultimately reached the ear of Domitian and prompted him to act. In 94 AD, the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Domitian, the elderly John the Apostle was exiled to the island of Patmos.
However, the blessing pronounced upon the readers, in verse 3, clearly reaches far beyond John’s present circumstances. An easily overlooked detail of this blessing is that there are six other similar blessings in the letter, totaling seven. These are uniquely arranged throughout the book in a chiastic structure, a pattern prevalent in Hebrew literature. (offer a diagram by mail or email) This feature convinces me that John most likely received this revelation of Jesus in the Hebrew language, and it was later translated into Greek.
That conclusion influences the pronouncement of the blessing. The Hebrew language does not have a word that means obey in the same sense it does in English. I believe it is the definition of the Hebrew word shema that John has in mind here. While this Hebrew verb is often translated as “hear,” it means much more than just a hearing or listening; it means to “hear and respond appropriately.” When the Bible says that Moses “heard” YHWH, it means that he heard him and then he acted upon what he heard. When the Bible says that YHWH listened to the people, it means that He heard them and then acted upon what He heard.
The text states, “Blessed is [the one – singular] who reads and those who hear [plural] the words of this prophecy, and [who are keeping] those things that are written in it; for the time is near.” Hopefully, as I read this verse, you caught that the one who reads is in the active singular, while those who hear are in the active plural. This fits precisely with what we know about the times in which John lived.
Incidentally, some have tried to date John’s exile before 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem. They do that, at least in part, to fit their claim that these prophecies were fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed. However, the verse we are looking at, which pronounces a blessing on the readers, helps us in this regard. Marvin Vincent informs us that the practice of reading the Apostolic writings didn’t exist before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
First, the blessing is pronounced on the one who publicly reads the words of this prophecy. Books were unknown at this time, so John expected his letter to be read aloud in the assemblies of Believers. You may recall that when Timothy was serving as an elder in Ephesus, the apostle Paul gave him explicit instructions on this very thing. “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” That is, the public reading of the Scriptures.
A.T. Robertson comments on this. “Today, the public reading of the Bible is an important part of worship that is often poorly done.” Sadly, I must agree with him. I believe that the blessing is still valid and applies to the personal reading of the text.
Further, to eliminate any misunderstanding, the hearers and the keepers form one class of people. To keep is a word peculiar to John and is characteristic of Revelation as of the other writings in its singular sense of “keeping.” It focuses on the exercise of active and strenuous care, rather than on watching over to preserve. And what are they keeping? “The things that are written in the book.” In the final chapter of the book, John highlights the importance of this obedience in providing entrance into the holy city and access to the tree of life.
This section closes with the words, “because the time is at hand.” In other words, the time of the fulfillment of these things is near. Contrast these words of Jesus with the words given to the prophet in Daniel 12:4: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
However, some may object that this message about the time being near was given approximately 2,000 years ago. That is our human perspective, but the eternal God exists outside of time. Furthermore, the word the angel gave to John is “kairos,” not “chronos.” Kairos is defined as the right time or opportune time. This usage connects logically with the phrase of verse 1, “the things which must shortly come to pass.”
In the Western world, it seems we are obsessed with chronos, with the clock and the calendar. Kairos time involves waiting on the Lord and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, especially during this unprecedented season. When you take the kairos time perspective, you can see the world through a different lens. It does not depend on the clock but relies on the right moments that fit within the Lord’s plan. This view can foster more patience and steadfastness during moments of waiting, as you align your heart and mind with God’s perfect timing.
Jesus intends these words from God’s last book to be words of comfort and encouragement. They are also words of admonition and warning. The next great event on God’s prophetic calendar is the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His Bride, the Church. Our task is to remain obedient and expectant!
The content of Revelation is clearly prophetic; it describes things that must come to pass before the climax of human history as we know it. It is authenticated by none other than Jesus Christ, who sent His angel to give the revelation to John.
Finally, the extent of God’s last book is expressed in the blessing that is pronounced on those who read, hear, and strive to obey the words of this prophecy, given by their Savior.
I close with a few questions. What is your relationship with the true God, the God of the Holy Scriptures? Do you know Him personally? If you do, what is your relationship to God’s last book, this Book of Revelation? Is it a book you avoid? If so, you are cutting yourself off from a special blessing.
I hope you can join me for each episode of my teaching from God’s Last Book. There is much more we can learn together. May Jesus Christ be magnified!
