Revelation 1:1-3

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.

Revelation 1:1a (ESV)¶

God has given His Son Jesus the revelation about himself to share with the servants of God. We are God's servants. We are the ones this revelation is for — and it was also for the early church, and for the church of all generations after.¶

He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Revelation 1:1b-2 (ESV)¶

Jesus is now showing this amazing revelation that God gave him to his friend John — one he walked with for years and chose specifically for this purpose.¶

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15 (ESV)¶

This is the same John who wrote the Gospel of John and the three epistles (1, 2, 3 John), which we will probably reference quite a bit while going through Revelation. Jesus again is telling his friend all that the Father has told him.¶

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3 (ESV)¶

Like I shared last week, Revelation is the only book in the Bible that comes with a blessing directly attached to it. I believe God did this so that we would not be reluctant to read and enjoy this book — that we would not be afraid to open and discover what is in it, but rather that we would be blessed in doing so. The blessing is that we are shown that God's promises are true, and that what he said will be done. The blessing is the hope and joy of knowing God and his plan.¶

"For the time is near"¶

The time is near for the completion of all that God has promised.¶

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Matthew 5:18 (ESV)¶

The time is near for the eternal rest God promised us.¶

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:8-11 (ESV)¶

The time is near for the promised second coming of our Lord.¶

because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

Acts 17:31 (ESV)¶

The time is near for the coming glorification of this earthly body, and the earth itself.¶

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God... And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)¶

Many have mocked this truth. They say things like, "Was the time near for the early church? They never saw Jesus return." (Read 2 Peter 3.) Regardless of the date of these things, our eyes and hearts should be laser-focused on this truth: Christ is nearer today than yesterday, and with him our redemption and adoption, our transformation and glorification.¶

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Romans 13:11 (ESV)¶

Waiting in hope, not fear¶

So we are not waiting in fearful expectation, but in hope.¶

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)¶

We are waiting for our blessed hope. (And listen to how Paul describes the day of the Lord in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12.)¶

• Noah wasn't waiting for the flood; he was waiting for salvation.
• Joseph wasn't waiting for famine; he was waiting for sustenance.
• Moses wasn't waiting for death; he was waiting for freedom.
• Israel wasn't waiting for a land filled with giants and enemies; they were waiting for a promised land flowing with milk and honey.
• Rahab wasn't waiting for destruction; she was waiting for rescue.
• We are not waiting for wrath; we are waiting for our rest — and His name is Jesus.
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As we continue through Revelation, let's keep these things in mind. Let us remember that there is a blessing for us in this prophecy. Let us remember that these words are not to make us afraid but to remind us of our hope. Let us remember that the one who saved us from eternal death is now giving us these words, and he is trustworthy and loves us.¶