“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, saying, ‘…I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last…What thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia…” Revelation 1:10,11
The book of the Revelation was primarily intended for the church of Christ, His body scattered throughout the then known world, and that which exists today. Its message, and purpose, might be summed up in Jesus’ words before He was crucified, “…So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:33) Of what does Christ speak? Paul would call it a time of great apostasy, and a falling away from the faith. Jesus would specifically speak of coming judgment, and His dealing with Satan, and the nations that forget God. The great event of which Christ speaks is His second coming, first of all to seek His bride, His church, but then, to set up His kingdom on this earth once more, judge the wicked, binding Satan for a thousand years, and then bringing all things to the climax of putting an end to this creation, and creating a new heaven and new earth. But why does the Lord Jesus give to John the Apostle, a very old man by this time who is exiled to the Isle of Patmos for his faith, this book? What are His objectives in doing so?
There is no question that the context of this book is that of difficulty, opposition, and persecution of the body of Christ in the last days. John speaks of this in writing: “…I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ…” (1:9) As history hurtles down the road towards the Lord’s coming, the times will become difficult, treacherous, times of great deception and resistance to the Gospel, and Christ. Those who would live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, for they will be opposed by the enemy. The message for the church, in seeing the “signs of the times,” perceiving the accomplishment of the Lord’s words concerning the last days, in a context of difficulty and opposition to faith, is first and foremost that their vision of Christ must be what Christ would have them to understand. From the beginning of the book to the end, the revelation of Christ is the same: “‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,’ saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (1:8) The is the bedrock, fundamental revelation of Christ for the church at this time, for it responds perfectly and sufficiently to the believer’s need to see Him as the Sovereign Lord, Creator and Redeemer, the Almighty, who is bringing about His will, and will certainly meet every child, and servant, that is His, providing abundant grace for every need and challenge. Thus, Christ will speak by the Spirit to every one of the seven churches of Asia, declaring to them, that they are to be overcomers. Only the vision of the superior resources of a Sovereign and Faithful Lord, can inspire, exhort, and strengthen the believer’s faith to face the times in which he lives, and overcome every enemy, to glorify God.
If the vision of Christ is the essential to faith for overcoming, what is to be the clear reaction, and proper response to that vision? After speaking to the specific needs of the seven churches, God takes John to heaven to be overwhelmed by the first, and only true response to the revelation. It is that of the worship of the Father, and then of the Lamb of God. The true worship of God the Creator, and then Christ, the Redeemer, is the great essential for receiving His power.
Another aspect of responding to the revelation is the service to Christ, the Lord and King. The overcomer is the wise, faithful servant, who abides in Christ his Life.
Dear Father, Make us true worshippers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.