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Revelation. The Greek word for Revelation
is APOKALUPIS. It means to “take the cover off.”
The Revelation of Jesus Christ . . . (NASB) Rev. 1:1 That is what Jesus did. He received the divine treasure chest of prophecy
from God the Father so that He could share it with His angels, who gave
it to His apostle and then to us. Do you think the Apostle John was eager
to know about the future? Do you remember how eager Daniel was about
our future? All of them were eager to know about our future, and God
knows that we are too. But did you know that we have some invisible friends
who might be eager to know about the future, too, just as they wanted
to know about Jesus!
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things into which angels long to look. (NASB) 1 Peter 1:12 We call them holy angels. Can you imagine how the angels felt when they
gave the Apostle John the prophecies that we are going to study? I believe
this is an expression of Jesus’ love for His angels too!
Conclusion. The book of Revelation is the
only book in the New Testament with the promise of a blessing to the
one who reads, hears, and “heeds” it.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. (NASB) Rev. 1:3
The Greek word for “heed” has the idea of “watch over” or “to
keep in view.” This means that those who read, hear, and keep this
book in view will receive a blessing. Why? Because the time is near!
Because He is near. He is coming!
There are six other promises of blessing like this one in
Revelation. All of them are promises about escaping from this life and
living with God forever. Why? Well, we know the answer. We know that
this life is not fun at times. We know that life has sickness, sadness
and sorrow at times, and we know that the final days of this planet will
be painful when God makes things worse. But the hope, comfort, and blessing
for every Christian is that some day we will be able to escape. Some
day we will always be happy. Some day we will no longer struggle with
sin. Some day we will no longer wonder what He looks like for we will
see His face. Some day we will no longer need to read His Word to know
Him for we will see His glorious face. Some day we will no longer wonder
what His voice sounds like for we will hear Him say, “I love you.” Some
day our hearts will no longer long for Jesus for we will be with Him.
Glory to God!
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” . . . He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (NASB) Rev. 22:12, 20
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