Introduction, part 3
3. The Subject of
Revelation: Jesus Christ (continued)
b. The Subject reveals Jesus,
both as the Lamb of God, and the lion of judah
Since much of the book
is presented by those other than Jesus Christ Himself; that is, through visions
and by angels, I believe that the opening words “the revelation of Jesus
Christ” means that this final book of the Bible is the revealing of Jesus
Christ Himself and not the revealing by
Jesus Christ. Had we all of the books of Scripture, save this blessed and
prophetic book, the unveiling of the Son of God would have been incomplete. If
we only had 65 books in the Bible and 26 New Testament books, what would we
know of his quickly approaching return? More than anything else, John received
and wrote the contents of the book of Revelation to unveil the faithful and
true and fulfilling appearance of Jesus Christ, showing forth the hope for
Christians that Jesus Christ did not only come as a lamb slain (Rev. 5:6), but
that He will indeed come again in His truest manifestation yet, that of the
mighty “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” (Rev. 5:5), King of Kings and Lord of
Lords (Rev. 17:14, 19:16).
c. The Subject is only hidden by
Satan Himself
Some people will use the
excuse of the mystic style of Revelation as a reason for avoiding the study of
it. Who do you think is the author of that excuse? “This book will keep you
from Sin, that’s true, but so is the opposite: Sin will keep you from this
book!” Satan, of course, will do all he can to keep you from knowing about the
book of Revelation. In upcoming days, Wednesday nights will have many opportunities
for you and for me to not be here to hear the words of what John saw on the island of Patmos
You’ve heard the phrase
“Whenever Satan tries to remind you of your past, you just remind him of his
future.” How do we know his future? The book of Revelation! That’s why Satan
will use every excuse in the book to keep you from the book and especially the
only book with a guaranteed promise of blessing.
Do not make an excuse
not to study the book of Revelation.
d. The Subject is not scary for
believers
It is not a scary book
for believers. Notice I did not say it is not terrifying for everyone. I said
it is not a book for Christians to fear. Do you remember what it says in 1 Tim.
1:7? “God has not given us a spirit of
fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” Again in 1 John 4:18 , it says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because
fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” And
again in Romans 8: 15 “For you did not receive the spirit of
bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry
out, 'Abba, Father.'" Revelation is a book of hope for the Christians,
especially those who have suffered in this life. As we study Revelation, we
must see this as an open, unsealed book.
In Luke 2:32, Simeon’s
prophetic utterance shows that Jesus was to be a revelation to the gentiles
30 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in
peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which
You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation
to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."
If the book of
Revelation is not fearful for Christians, then why do so many fear it? They may
not fear in the sense of being petrified or terrified but AFRAID TO READ IT OR
STUDY IT? Now it could be that some are afraid because they are not truly
saved. But I want to answer the question by referring to other places in the
Bible where the word and concept of “the apocalypse of Jesus Christ” is used. And
we begin this study with the phrase “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”
