Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

The message that the Apostle John sends to the churches is from God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son, Jesus Christ. The Son is called the faithful witness. A witness is one who witness to ascertainable facts. Jesus Christ is the final revelation of God to mankind. Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is God.

His Deity is well attested by the writer of Hebrews, who gave a most complete description of Jesus Christ’s Person and work when he said in Hebrews 1:1-4 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Revelation 1:4-5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

The Holy Spirit is God. The fullness and perfect description of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the giving of this message to the churches is presented here as the Seven Spirits which is before the throne of God.

The prophet Isaiah provides a fitting description of the Spirit’s work when he explains in Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Revelation 1:4-6 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The believers shall reign with Christ in the kingdom of His dominion at His return on earth for 1000 years for receive his eternal inheritance from the Lord in the new heaven and new earth for all eternity.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I sawthe souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 21:5-8 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

God’s plan is to blessed His people with the vision of their blessed eternal abode in heaven. And the Book of Revelation describes that transition from earth to heaven. What is heaven like for God’s afflicted people?

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Jesus’ words of His return to bring His church to their peronsalised heavenly mansion will be a blessed reality – John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, thereye may be also.And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. All belonging to Christ has this assurance of His peace given to us as we make this transition from earth to heaven – John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Revelation 1:1-2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

The word “servants” means “bond-slaves”. It describes those performing the service of a slave by unquestioning obedience. It describes Christ’s servants. All who will take heed to His Second Coming and live their lives in the light of it.

We are reminded of the man Noah living in the midst of the godless world before the judgment of the global flood who obeyed fully God’s instruction to build an ark – Genesis 6:8, 13-14, 22 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD… 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch… 22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

This book is the unveiling of future events leading to the Second Coming of Christ ushering in the transition from time to eternity, here, spoken of, as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus, is He Whom the Godhead has appointed to reveal the truth concerning the future of mankind. The message is given from God through Jesus Christ, conveyed by His angel unto John, the Apostle of Christ, to His servants.

Who are His servants? The receipients of the letter who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein (v3). The Lord pronounced them “blessed”. These events must shortly come to pass.

Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

The study of the Book of Revelation holds the key to unlocking the door of understanding to current world events. As the future is unveiled before us in study of the Book of Revelation, it provides the clues to understanding current events leading to the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the climatic reunion between the church, the bride of Christ, and her bridegroom, Jesus Christ!