The Gift of Revelation

David Peterson / General

Revelation / Revelation; Trinity; Trinity Sunday; Strength; Peace / Revelation 1:1–8

Introduction

1. As we begin Revelation we’re celebrating the great revelation.

2. Father, Son, & Spirit that which is beyond our experience as humans

I. The Purpose of Revelation is blessing (Rev. 1:3)

1. Explanation

a. It occurs in the reading and hearing

b. It occurs who take it to heart (faith)

2. Application

a. VBS, etc.

b. Those who receive it in faith and those who don’t

3. Illustration

There is a third reason why John used symbolism: symbols not only convey information, but also impart values and arouse emotions. John could have written, “A dictator will rule the world,” but instead he described a beast. The symbol says much more than the mere title of “dictator.” Instead of explaining a world system, John simply introduced “Babylon the Great” and contrasted the “harlot” with the “bride.” The very name “Babylon” would convey deep spiritual truth to readers who knew the Old Testament.

In understanding John’s symbolism, however, we must be careful not to allow our imaginations to run wild. Biblical symbols are consistent with the whole of biblical revelation. Some symbols are explained (Rev. 1:20; 4:5; 5:8); others are understood from Old Testament symbolism (Rev. 2:7, 17; 4:7); and some symbols are not explained at all (the “white stone” in Rev. 2:17). Nearly 300 references to the Old Testament are found in Revelation! This means that we must anchor our interpretations to what God has already revealed, lest we misinterpret this important prophetic book.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 567). Victor Books.

It is worth noting that there are seven “beatitudes” in Revelation: 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. (Ibid.)

II. The Revelation is of the Triune God (Rev. 1:4-5)

1. Explanation

2. Application

3. Illustration

God the Father is described as the Eternal One (see Rev. 1:8; 4:8). All history is part of His eternal plan, including the world’s persecution of the church. Next, the Holy Spirit is seen in His fullness, for there are not seven spirits, but one. The reference here is probably to Isaiah 11:2.

Finally, Jesus Christ is seen in His threefold office as Prophet (faithful Witness), Priest (First-begotten from the dead), and King (Prince of the kings of the earth). First-begotten does not mean “the first one raised from the dead,” but “the highest of those raised from the dead.” Firstborn is a title of honor (see Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18).

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 568). Victor Books.

Through eyes of unbelief, Jesus Christ and His church are defeated in this world; but through eyes of faith, He and His people are the true victors. As Peter Marshall once said, “It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.”

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 568). Victor Books.

III. The Gift of Revelation is Grace and Peace (Rev. 1:4)

1. Explanation

a. Grace: Forgiveness, Nearness, Power

b. Peace: Assurance, Comfort, Hope

2. Application

3. Illustration

Irenaeus’ statement (Adv. Haer. V, 30, 3) that Revelation was written toward the close of the reign of the emperor Domitian (A.D. 81–96) gives us the most probable date for the book, A.D. 95 or 96. Domitian was the first Roman emperor to make an issue of emperor worship; and since the emperor cult was propagated with great zeal in the province of Asia, the collision between the emperor, who laid claim to men’s worship as “Lord and God,” and those who would call no one Lord but Jesus and would worship Him alone proved to be inevitable in Asia. That John should have been banished from Ephesus to Patmos, off the coast of Asia, “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Rv 1:9), that Antipas should have died a martyr’s death at Pergamum in Asia (Rv 2:13), that the souls of men who had been slain for the witness they had borne should cry aloud for vindication (Rv 6:9–10)—all this fits in naturally with the historical situation in Asia in the latter years of Domitian’s reign.

Roehrs, W. H., & Franzmann, M. H. (1998). Concordia self-study commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 2, p. 285). Concordia Publishing House.

Conclusion

Where True Strength Lies

We’re accustomed to thinking of the strength as opposite to gentleness, softness and tenderness. Yet this is not always true. During World War 1 British fighter pilots made an amazing discovery, that thick layers of silk stopped low velocity shrapnel better than steel. So they wound the silk around their heads and then wore leather horse riding helmets on top of the silk.

Scientists still aren’t sure just what it is that gives silk its strength, but it’s true, that in certain situations soft, gentle, tender silk can prove far stronger than cold, hard steel.

Jesus showed us the same holds true for human character. Some people try to make themselves impenetrable to the people around them. Jesus showed us that gentleness, a heart that’s soft toward others, and tenderness are in fact qualities of great strength!

Source: Scientific info from Dr Karl Kruszelnicki’s New Moments in Science #1