Day 29

Please Read the whole of Revelation Chapter 1

In the Psalms, we find the word ‘selah’ which is a musical direction to pause (and think). We have done 28 days on Revelation 1! This has been a glorious revelation of Jesus Christ. We see Him walking amongst the churches providing guidance for our life today and hope for the future. Assuring us that despite the play and counterplay of human history God is in control. In this chapter, we have also noted how Jesus is present with His people through the good times and the difficult situations of life.

I hope you have seen that Jesus is the beginning, centre and end of the book. The focus of the whole book points to the end of all things and the return of Jesus. It is founded in His death, resurrection, and current work for us. The marvellous qualities of the heavenly Jesus are the backdrop for all that is to come.

We have looked at the keys for the code that help us follow the threads through the maze. We noted the use of the word ‘signify’ and how every image, symbol, illusion, quote, reference, and typology all come from the Old Testament. Chapter 1 gave us 2 clear links to the book of Daniel. The importance of this is to know the important rule of allowing the Bible to be the only interpreter of Revelation. This is a safeguard against junk, newspaper theology.

The most amazing ‘revelation’ of Jesus comes as we see His divinity in a clear and powerful way. This was helped by the reflections on the titles attributed to Jesus in Chapter 1 and the way Old Testament terminology for Yahweh is now shifted to Jesus. He is clearly the “God-man” (and never did hyphen mean so much!).

Like Russian nesting dolls the book is multi-layered. It is the finale of the Biblical symphony that has traced the history of sin and rebellion.  It draws all the Bible’s great themes together in a thrilling conclusion. (selah)

Because of who Jesus is revealed to be in the book, we also have a revelation of who we can become in Him. Elevated to the highest places in Christ! Chapter 1 closes with a picture of Jesus as the High Priest (with a sash of gold signifying royalty – the king-priest!) He is walking among the lampstands ministering to the churches despite their various failings. God is being faithful to His covenant.

We closed chapter 1 by reflecting on the meaning of the lampstands. This showed us the intimate connection with the Christian churches Jewish heritage, as heirs of the promises made in the Old Testament.

While I did not intend to do these reflections, I eventually felt compelled by the Holy Spirit and am now humbled over the folks that are following this. For my preparation I have used sources such as: Drs Pauline, Stefanovic, Maxwell & Ford, as well as my own marginal notes from unidentified sources gathered over 45 years of study in the book of Revelation. As I have prepared these readings I have compared the RSV (my preferred translation), NIV, NLT, and have been making and copying my notes into a new NKJV.

Are you ready for the rest of the journey?