Day 8

“BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO READS AND THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY AND KEEP THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN IT, FOR THE TIME IS NEAR. “ Rev 1:2-3 NASB.

The book begins with the phrase “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Verse one goes on to report that the revelation is signified and in verse two becomes the testimony of Jesus, something that John can see. So John testifies concerning two things; the “word of God” and the “testimony of Jesus.” The word of God is likely a reference to the body of literature that we know as the Old Testament. This was John’s Bible.

The Book of Revelation never quotes the Old Testament, yet it alludes to it hundreds of times, with a word here, a phrase there, a name somewhere else. The places of the Old Testament are recalled; Babylon, Egypt and Jerusalem. The people of the Old Testament are recalled; David, Elisha, Jezebel, and Balaam. But the Old Testament is rarely on the surface of Revelation. It is like a current flowing under the surface, yet affecting everything it touches. In its use of the Old Testament the Book of Revelation is like a Russian nesting doll. Multilayered. You could read the book without reference to the Old Testament and think you have picked up the whole picture. But when you discover the text behind the surface the deeper truths that were placed in the book are revealed to the reader. The Book of Revelation is like the finale of the biblical symphony, drawing all of the Bible’s themes together in a thrilling conclusion.