A Companion to the Book of Revelation

David L. Mathewson

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781532678165
  9781532678172
• eBook ISBN:
  9781532678189
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

This book is meant to be a companion and guide through what many deem to be the most perplexing book of the New Testament. As such, it introduces the reader to the kind of literature Revelation is, how to interpret its pervasive symbolism, and sees it as a response to the unique circumstances of seven historical churches in first-century Asia Minor living under the shadow of the Roman Empire. This companion pays special attention to the literary context and flow of argument of John's unique book, while also giving attention to the effect the visions would have had on the first churches. It also pays attention to the more perplexing details of the text. Revelation was primarily a book that called the churches to maintain their faithful witness in the face of a hostile environment. It also continues to speak to the church today, though perhaps not in the way we often think.

3

The Messages from
the Risen Lord
to seven Churches
(Revelation 1–3)

Introduction to Revelation 1

The first chapter of the book of Revelation has much to say about the way that John’s book is meant to be read. It sets the reader’s expectation for what he/she will find in the subsequent chapters. Many commentators refer to all or part of chapter 1 as a prologue.27 Whatever we label it precisely, it is important to emphasize that this chapter is not an unrelated afterthought to be skipped over to get to the main contents of the book. Rather, this chapter plays a crucial role in orienting the reader to what kind of book this is, how it is to be read, what the reader can expect to find in it, and how the reader should respond. So we would do well to slow down and read it carefully.

The Book of Revelation Originates
from God

The very first verse tells us that the source of this book is a revelation of Jesus Christ that has its ultimate origin in God himself (v. 1). By calling his work a “revelation,” John places his book in a category of writings that communicates a visionary experience. The intent of his work is to uncover or unveil divine truth and knowledge that can come by no other means than a direct revelation from God. The phrase “revelation of Jesus Christ” is ambiguous. In both Greek and English it could imply either a revelation that is about Jesus Christ (Jesus is the object of the revealing) or a revelation that comes from Jesus Christ (Jesus is the subject of the revealing). Some commentators opt for both. However, the second is the most likely option: Jesus is the subject or source of the act of revealing. The revelation comes through Jesus Christ. This is made clear by the fact that John is setting up a “chain of revelation” in these verses. God → Jesus Christ → Angel → John (servants). Though Jesus Christ is the object or content of much of the rest of Revelation, there are plenty of sections in Revelation that are about other things besides Jesus Christ, making the first option above (Jesus is the object or content of the revelation) unlikely. That Jesus is to “show” it to his servants supports this. This statement of the revelatory chain adds authority to John’s message. It is not his own, but comes to him through an act of revealing from Jesus Christ, and ultimately God himself. Angels also play a key role in Revelation, where they are responsible for the judgments and also interpret part of John’s vision.

The Book of Revelation is about Things That Will Soon Take Place

What Revelation reveals is the things that must take place soon (v. 1). This expression reflects Daniel 2:28: “what will happen in the last days.” Instead of in the “last days,” John sees these things as happening “soon.” John sees the end time events of Daniel (and other Old Testament prophecies) as already being fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. With the death and resurrection of Jesus the last days have already been inaugurated, so the events Revelation speaks about are already being fulfilled. As John will say in v. 3, the “time is near.” Revelation is not about events in the distant future (the twenty-first century, or any other century), but about events being fulfilled in the first readers’ own day. Furthermore, even the events surrounding the second coming of Christ at the end of history are “soon” in the sense that John shares the perspective of other New Testament writers: the coming of Christ is near. Since the end has already been inaugurated at the first coming of Christ, his second coming to bring history to its close could happen at any time.

The Book of Revelation is a Prophecy

Twice in v. 3 John refers to his work as a prophecy. By labeling his work a prophecy John reinforces that he is communicating the very words of God. Like his Old Testament prophetic predecessors, John will communicate messages from God of salvation and judgment. As we have already seen, the primary feature of prophetic literature is not that it predicts the future, although it does that (see Revelation 19–22), but that it announces a message of warning and encouragement to the readers.28 As such, it requires a response of obedience from its hearers.

The Book of Revelation is to be Obeyed

Verse 3 indicates something about how the book of Revelation was first received. It pronounces a blessing on the one who reads and those who hear the book. That is, the book of Revelation would have been communicated orally to its first readers. But the blessing promised here is not for those who only hear the book read, but for those who keep it. To “keep” the words of Revelation means to obey it. This blessing in v. 3 is balanced out in the end of the book with a curse upon the one who hears the book but does not obey it (22:18–19). Ultimately, John’s entire book calls for a response of obedience on the part of his listeners.

The Book of Revelation is a Letter Addressed to Seven Historical Churches

In v. 4 John indicates that he has chosen the form of a letter in which to communicate his words of prophecy to his readers. This verse constitutes a typical epistolary opening, such as one would find in one of Paul’s letters. John identifies himself as the author, and then identifies his readers—seven historical churches in the ancient Roman province of Asia Minor. As a letter, Revelation will address directly the needs of these seven churches (see Rev 2–3). Therefore, as a letter it will communicate a message that will make sense to the first hearers/readers. Although John addresses seven actual churches in historical Asia, the number seven has symbolic significance, indicating the entire, complete or universal church of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Revelation Reminds the Readers of the True Source of Their Salvation and Well-Being

The epistolary greeting is expanded in vv. 4–6 with a Trinitarian reference. Rather than the Roman Empire and its emperor, the true source of the readers’ peace and salvation comes first through the One who is truly sovereign over all things. God is first described as “the One who is, who was, and who is to come.” This designation indicates God’s eternity, as the one who has no beginning and end, who stands at the beginning and end of time, and who is coming in the future. The second reference is to seven Spirits. Most likely, within the context of the reference to God and to Jesus Christ, this is to be understood as a reference to the Holy Spirit. Seven as the number of completion or perfection suggests the complete manifestation and fullness of the Holy Spirit. Third, John refers to Jesus in terms of what he accomplished in his earthly life (“faithful witness”), his resurrection (“firstborn from the dead”), and his current sovereign rule (“ruler of the kings of the earth”). And in v. 6 Jesus is the one who through his death has enacted God’s plan for redeeming his people to be his kings and priests. As God’s priests in this world, God’s people are to witness to the reality of God’s kingdom and rule in the world.

Revelation Promises that God Will Bring History to Its Conclusion with the Coming of Jesus

Verse 7 considers the further implication of Christ’s lordship, death, and resurrection. Jesus Christ, who is the sovereign ruler of all, and who has already begun God’s plan of redemption through his death on the cross (vv. 5–6) will bring God’s redemptive plan to its conclusion with his future return to earth, in fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (v. 7). This promise is a combined quotation from Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10. Daniel 7:13 speaks of the Son of Man who comes on the clouds, and Zechariah 12:10 refers to a time when God will restore his people Israel and the world will look at the One (God) whom they have pierced. Both texts are now applied to Jesus and anticipate Christ’s (second) coming in both salvation and judgment. A concluding reference to God assures the reader that the God who stands at the beginning and end of history (the “alpha and omega”) and who is sovereign over all thing...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Reading the Book of Revelation
• Revelation: Story, Structure, and Symbols
• The Messages from the Risen Lord to seven Churches (Revelation 1–3)
• A Vision of Heaven’s Throne Room (Revelation 4–5)
• Visions of Judgment and Salvation I (Revelation 6–16)
• Visions of Judgment and Salvation II (Revelation 17–20)
• A Final Vision of Future Salvation: The New Creation (Revelation 21–22)
• The Relevance of Revelation for the Church Today
• Bibliography