An Introduction to the Book of Revelation: What the Spirit Says to the Churches
The book of Revelation is often ignored. But God says, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). This article provides an in-depth study of the book of Revelation, focusing on the unveiling of Jesus Christ and the messages delivered to the early Christian communities.
The Meaning and Purpose of the Revelation
It is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1a). We get apocalypse from the Greek apokalupsis, which means “an unveiling.” This book is the unveiling of Jesus Christ. At His first coming, His glory was veiled. Now, Revelation shows Christ coming as the sovereign “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
The purpose of the book is “…To show His servants—things which must shortly take place.” Servants is translated from the Greek douloi, meaning “bondslave”—somebody who was a slave, then set free, but willingly went back to his master and said, “I want to stay with you.” The blessing from hearing Bible prophecy is that you understand the mystery of history. When we understand end-times prophecy, we can make sense of our suffering.
The Vision of the Apostle John on Patmos
The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching Christ’s gospel. John writes that he’s sharing in the tribulation of his fellow Christians. While there, he says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet” (Revelation 1:10). God gave him this commission: “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” (Revelation 1:19).
In the first chapter, John saw the glorified Christ. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. In Revelation, Christ is not pictured as Savior, but as Judge. John describes his vision of Jesus in terms usually reserved for God.
The Seven Churches and the Universal Church
The author of the book of Revelation treats seven early Christian communities as representative of the universal Church. The Church age began with Pentecost, and will end with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. These seven (the number of perfection) represent all churches of all times. The refrain throughout these messages is: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Although the book of Revelation is about the post-Resurrection Jesus who’s to come, the other two persons of the Blessed Trinity are very much present. The title of this study—“What the Spirit Says to the Churches”—makes direct reference to the Holy Spirit. We are invited to consider the function of the Holy Spirit in the second chapter in the book of Revelation and whether this is in keeping with the way the Spirit was presented in the first chapter.
Structure of the Prophecy
The following table outlines the chronological framework of the book of Revelation as commanded by God to the Apostle John:
| Section | Scripture Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The things you have seen | Revelation 1 | The vision of the glorified Christ as Judge. |
| The things which are | Revelation 2–3 | The Church age and messages to the seven churches. |
| The things which will take place after this | Revelation 4–22 | A panorama of end-times prophecy and the open door in heaven. |
It is always wise to begin any Bible study with prayer, whether reading the Scriptures alone or meeting with others in a discussion study group. As we read and study the word today, allow it to touch our hearts and change our lives. The time is always at hand; it may not be immediate, but it is always imminent.