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Thank God for granting us this opportunity to study the book of revelation at this critical time. This book is written by apostle John. It was around AD 95-96 during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96). During the time of his ruling in the Empire, particularly the last 7 years of his reign, the persecution for Christians was very severe, and this book is written towards the end of Domitian’s reign. This book of Revelation is an epistle, a prophecy, and an apocalypse. This book is called Revelation or Apocalypse. The Greek word for revelation is apokalupsis. This Greek word is composed of two parts, “apo” meaning “away from” plus “kalupsis”, “veiling”. Apokalupsis, therefore, means unveiling, revealing. It is the apocalypse, the unveiling, the disclosure of details hidden from human view, particularly future events. It is not a hiding, but a revealing. Most significantly this book reveals Jesus Christ. The gospels unveiled Christ in His first coming in humiliation; the book of Revelation unveils Christ in His second coming in exaltation. Jesus Christ is the great central theme of this book, which closes the Bible. As we study this book of Revelation, may we have an ardent desire to know Jesus deeply with a yearning for His second coming. Also, may we be able to read the signs of Jesus’ coming again (Mt. 16:3) and learn more clearly how to live in these last days. Today’s passage includes the brief introduction of this book, apostle John’s greeting to the recipients of this epistle, his first message of Jesus’ second coming. First, Blessedness from this book (1-3). This book begins with verses 1 and 2, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” This can be the concise summary of this book. God is the source of the revelation of Jesus Christ. And the revelation was primarily given by God to Jesus Christ. The purpose is to show his servants/bondservants what must soon take place. So this book is not to be shown to some specific people but all those who have Jesus as their Lord and Master. And God wants his servants to know what must soon take place, not just what will take place. It is because the future of this world is completely in the hand of God according to his absolute plan. Then it says “He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” John wrote the gospel of John as an eyewitness of Jesus’ life in this world, including his death and resurrection. Particularly John 19:35 says after the event of a Roman soldier’s piercing with a spear the side of Jesus on the cross, “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.” John did not write his name specifically, probably in his humbleness, but clearly testified to what he saw, being sure that he was telling the truth. So John’s gospel was about what took place concerning Jesus in this world. But the Revelation is about the heavenly things that will take place in the world, which John saw guided by the angel. The expression “I saw” is written 32 times in this book. John testifies to everything he saw. And what he saw and testifies to is not something bizarre or weird. John clearly wrote, “that is, the word of God and testimony of Jesus.” Then in verse 3, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it…” Generally, we can say that those who read and hear the words of the Bible are blessed and that is true. Yet, no Bible writer specifically says about the blessedness of those who read or hear the words of his book. However, John had to write from the very beginning chapter, “Blessed is he who reads…blessed are those who hear it…take to heart…” The expression “Bless is…” or “Blessed are” is written 7 times in Revelation. 5 times are related to Christ and 2 times to this book itself in the first chapter and the last chapter 22. Jesus himself said in 22:7, “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Jesus himself speaks of this blessedness. It is the only book in the Bible that opens and closes with a blessing on the reader. And John wrote, “because the time is near.” It is also written in 22:10, “Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” It was written in “what must soon take place.”. When we think of God’s history, it includes God’s creation, man’s fall, God’s long preparation to send the Saviour his Son, the Son Jesus’ coming into this world according to God’s promise and his death and resurrection and ascension, and the blessing of salvation spreading to the Gentiles. The last thing to be fulfilled is Jesus’ second coming. The period between Jesus’ ascension and his seconding coming is considered last days, the last stage in God’s history. So the time is near. The prophets in the Old Testament some times viewed Jesus’ first coming and second coming as one event. His first coming implies his second coming. The time is near. Apostle Peter also wrote in 1 Peter 4:7 as we studied, “The end of all things is near.” After the apostles’ era, around 2000 years have passed. Then the time is much nearer. And 2 Peter 3:8, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like day.” May we live with time sense, the imminence of the time that the time is near and seek the blessedness of reading and hearing and keeping the words of the prophecy in this book. Second, Christ’s love (4-6). In verses 4 and 5, “John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Here comes the unbelievable, Trinitarian benediction. The opening greeting of grace and peace is from the triune God, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son Jesus Christ. This kind of greetings is very unique in the Bible, written in this last book of the Bible. From the beginning it shows John’s heart desire that the full blessing of God’s grace and peace may be poured out upon the recipients of this epistle. “Who is, and who was, and who is to come” is the expression of the eternal God the Father, existing in the past and now and in the future forevermore. The seven spirits from God’s throne is the sevenfold Spirit, the Holy Spirit in perfection and fullness. Peculiarly, more is written about Jesus Christ, than the Father and the Holy Spirit. From the beginning we see that the focus is the Son Christ Jesus. Jesus is introduced as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Jesus came into this world to witness to God the Father. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” The word “witness” conveys the meaning of martyr. To witness to God the Father and his kingdom beyond this world, Jesus gave his life. Especially he made the good confession when he was tried before Pilate (1 Tim. 6:13), saying, “My kingdom is not of this world…now my kingdom is from another place.” When Pilate said, “You are a king, then!”, Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (Jn. 18:36-37). He wants us to be his faithful witnesses in this world (Acts 1:8). And Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. Some people were raised from the dead before Jesus. But Jesus is the preeminent One. As we studied, his rising from the dead was victory over death, living forever. And his resurrection is the firstfruits that will bring many other fruits of resurrection. He is the true victor in life. And he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is ruling the world sitting on the right hand of God, though it is invisible. His ruling will be evident when he comes again into this world and strikes the nations with a sharp sword coming out of his mouth and rules them with an iron scepter (Rev. 19:15). So Revelation 19:16 says, “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Kings and authorities of this world threaten God’s people. But what an encouragement it is that Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth! Then the relationship we have with him is written in verse 6b: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father…” His love for us always is present. He loves us. Who loves us? It is the one who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He proved his love for us by giving his life for us. According to Romans 5:8, “While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” And in 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree…” Here he has freed us from our sins by his blood. Because of our sins we were salves to sin and the enemies of God as the object of God’s wrath. But Christ offered himself as an atoning sacrifice shedding his blood for our sins so that we might become the object of God’s mercy and love from the object of God’s wrath. Indeed, he has freed us from our sins by his blood. We became free people of God through his sacrifice. Furthermore, he has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father. We are not nobodies in the world. We are made his kingdom more powerful than any kingdom in this world, his kingdom people under the most powerful king, King of Kings and Lord of lords. We are made also priests who have the privileges of accessing God and bringing people to God. The love of Jesus Christ is his redeeming sacrificial love and liberating and elevating love. His love is ever-present. Nothing can separate us from this love of Christ. As we study Revelation, we must hold to this love of Christ. When God’s wrath is poured out, the people of the world, the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man seek hiding places out of great fear (Rev. 6:15). Corolla virus is the just beginning of such fear. To God’s people the love of Christ is the wings of God’s perfect protection, so the safest zone we can stay in and invite others to. The love of Christ is our true security while living this turbulent world. When the renowned theologian in the 20th century Karl Barth visited the University of Chicago, students and scholars crowded around him. At a press conference, one asked, “Dr. Barth, what is the most profound truth you have learned in your studies?” Without hesitation he replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” It can be also our confession. When our life becomes shaky because of outward circumstances or our weaknesses, what truly sustains us is Christ’s love. His love never fails (1 Cor. 13:4). Christ’s love is written in Revelation 1 here. Then our love relationship with Christ is shown as that of bride and bridegroom written in 19:7, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” While we study Revelation, may our love relationship with Christ be strong and deep. Now the doxology is given to Jesus Christ, “To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” From the introduction, the doxology is given to Jesus Christ. Among the Triune God the Son Christ Jesus is focused as the One who is worthy of praise and who has all authority to judge. Third, His second coming (7-8). Now here is the first message of Revelation after the opening greeting. Look at verse 7, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” When Jesus ascended into heaven, the two angels said to the awestricken disciples that Jesus would come back in the same way he was taken into heaven (Ac. 1:7). While on earth, Jesus himself repeatedly said about his coming again. He predicted more about his second coming than his death and resurrection. He said to his disciples sitting on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24:30, “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and glory.” In Matthew’s gospel Jesus even told the parable of the ten virgins, of the talents and of the sheep and the goats, which are related to his second coming (25:1-46). Mark 13:26 says, “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” And Jesus said in Luke 21:25-27, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” In John’s gospel Jesus said to his disciples in the upper room dialogue, “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (Jn. 14:2-3). Even while Jesus was on the trial before the Sanhedrin, he said, “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mt. 26:64; Mk. 14:62). And most of the epistles also say about the second coming of Jesus Christ. For instance, as we studied in 1 Corinthians, 1:7 says, “Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” 15:23 says, “But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits, then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” And 16:22 says, “If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse upon him. Come, O Lord!” In Hebrews 10:37-38 it is written, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith…” As we studied in 1 Peter, 1:5 says, “who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 5:4 says, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” And the prophets in the Old Testament says much more about Christ’s second coming than the first coming. Here Revelation 1:7, it says, “Look, he is coming with the clouds.” The direct reference of this word is Daniel 7:13, “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” In Revelation 1:7, the use of the present progressive tense is intended to give us the feeling that He’s already on the way, that the process of His coming has already begun. The clouds indicate God’s presence and God’s glory (Ex. 40:34). Jesus’ coming again is the first and the last message in Revelation, In Revelation 22 Jesus said of this three times in 22:7, “Behold, I am coming soon!...”, in 22:12, “Behold, I am coming soon!...”, and in 22:20, ““‘Yes, I am coming soon” and God’s people are respond “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Jesus’ second coming is most written and the most overwhelming message in the Bible. Jesus’ coming again is the climax of God’s redemptive work and the climax of the history of mankind. All the history is heading toward the fulfillment of Christ Jesus’ second coming. We see how eagerly God wants us to believe and live in an eager expectation of the second coming of his Son Jesus, preparing ourselves for it. We should prepare for this as our students prepare for their exams and the people of the word for the protection from Corolla virus. Verse 7 continues, “Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him.” The last image of Jesus the Son of God to the world was his being tortured and crucified and killed on the cross. This was the reality of the humble Jesus for the salvation of mankind. This image of Jesus should not be the end. The world should see the truly glorious and powerful Son of God, coming with the clouds. Every eye on the earth will see him and should see him. This will be the manifested victory of Christ the Son of God to the glory of God. Even those who pierced him will see him. This refers to Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” God’s chosen people Israelites who rejected Christ at his first coming will see him in the nation-wise repentance according to the prophecy of God. And all the peoples of the earth will mourn in their stubborn refusal of God. This will be the day of judgment for the unbelieving people of the world, but the day of salvation for the people of God. So Jesus said in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And Apostle Paul said in Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” What a promise! The end of verse 7 is “So shall it be. Amen.” This is to be the consent of Jesus’ people to the message of Christ’s coming again. Then there is God’s confirmation in 1:8, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” God who is omniscience, omnipresent and omnipotent confirms the coming of the Son. Thank God for the love of Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth, and who has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom and priests. Thank God for the sure promise of his coming on the clouds. In his love, may we keep these words of the promise of Christ’s coming again in our hearts and be truly blessed.

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