3.

REVELATION SERIES:
The Prologue – Revelation 1:1-8

As has been seen in the previous study on the outline and survey of Revelation (See 2.
Understanding Revelation), the Book of Revelation can be divided into seven sections,
each dealing with the same period of time, yet viewing it from a different perspective.
The first section deals with the church on earth and may be understood as, ‘Christ in the
midst of the Lampstands.’ This first section stretches from Revelation 1:1-3:22.

The first three verses of the prologue (1:1-8) are an introduction to the entire book and
were probably written after the epistle was completed (by John) as a sort of title
explaining what the book was about. Verses 4-8 are a greeting to the recipients of the
letter (remember, it was an epistle).

Please Read Revelation 1:1-8

Verse 1: The introduction to the book begins with the title, ‘The Revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly
come to pass (Rev 1:1a).’ This tells us that the book is an unveiling of the plan of God for
the remaining history of the world, throughout the ages yet to come, from the time of
Christ’s first coming to the end. The special focus of this unveiling will be His church.

The real Author of this book appears from the outset as the Father, who gave its
message to Christ, who then unveiled it to His people via John (7:3; 19:5; 22:3). Christ is
represented as receiving the message (5:1,7; 6:1-12; 8:1) and then being the Mediator
of it to His servants. This is all typical of the style of John (Jn 5:20; 7:16; 12:49; 14:10;
17:7,8).

The message is sent to John (1:4,9; 21:2; 22:8) by an especially commissioned angel
(22:16) and made known or signified by various visions and picture language, rather
than by mere words.

The message is about things which begin to be realized immediately (20:7,12; 22:10),
though much is obviously future. Though this is so, this verse should immediately silence
the futurist. The fulfilment of Revelation is a process, though these things may suddenly

Revelation Bible Study Series: 3. Prologue – Revelation 1:1-8 1

occur throughout the period of time covered (2:16; 3:11; 22:7,12,20).

Verse 2: The human author John, has already borne witness to the Word of God (Jn
1:1-3,14; 20:30,31) and will do so again in this book. Here he bears witness to the
content of the Book of Revelation, that this is what he saw by way of visions from the
heavenly angel (1:1).

Verse 3: This verse contains the first of a series of seven beatitudes (14:13; 16:15; 19:9;
20: 6; 22:7,14) found within the Book of Revelation and it is essentially repeated in the
last (22:14). The one who will be blessed is both the reader of the epistle (especially
seen in the one who publicly read the letter to the assembled congregation), following
early Christian practice, and also the hearer of the message concerning these future
events. Yet this will only be so if the hearing is accompanied with the intended keeping
of the message (Lk 11:28; Rev 22:7). This would suggest a careful hearing and
consideration of the message, followed by a corresponding faith and perseverance, etc.
Urgency is attended to the hearing and keeping of the message, for the time is near
when the things prophesied will begin to occur (22:7).

It is also interesting to note the complex means by which the message reaches its
intended recipients. It comes from the Father, to the Son, to the angel, to John, to the
reader and then to the hearers (1:1-3).

QUESTIONS: Who is it that is intended to receive this epistle? What reasons can you give
for your answer?

Why is there an air of urgency in verses one and three (cf Romans 13:11ff)?

How will the recipients of this epistle, assuming verse 3 is carried out, be blessed?

Verse 4: Apart from the introduction added after the completion of the epistle, the
Book of Revelation takes the form of a normal letter of the times. It identifies the one
who is writing and then gives a greeting to the intended recipient.

The seven churches (1:11) addresses were all located within the Roman province of
Asia, which is now modern day Turkey. There were however, more than seven churches
in Asia, so why was it written to only seven? The answer to this question comes by way
of symbolism, for the number seven in Hebrew culture symbolized completeness. With
this in mind, these seven churches are to be seen as representative of the whole church
throughout the ages. Though this is true, it was also written to minister to the actual
seven churches mentioned, which in the providence of God were representative of the
church throughout the gospel era.

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John proclaims grace, which is God’s undeserved favor, and also peace, which is the
spiritual well being that is enjoyed as a result of reconciliation with God. This he does to
the seven churches addressed. These blessings are bestowed by the Eternal Father (Ex
3:14,15; Deut 32:29), the Holy Spirit and by Christ (1:5) - in short, the Triune God.

Keeping the context in mind it is clear that the seven Spirits are symbolic of the Holy
Spirit, representing Him in the perfection of His Being and fullness of His work (3:1; 4:5;
5:6).

Verse 5a: The Lord Jesus Christ is here represented as the first Martyr, proving faithful
to His commission (from the Father) to the very end (1 Tim 6:13), The word ‘witness,’ is
that for ‘martyr.’ Not only is Christ the first Martyr, but He is also the firstborn from the
dead. The progression from the humiliation of Christ to His exaltation is completed with
His elevation to sovereign rule (17:14; 19:16) over all, especially over the earthly kings.

QUESTIONS: What relevance is there in verses 4 and 5 to the situation developing in the
early church? What implications are there here for the early church and those who have
followed from them?

Verses 5b, 6: In these verses both deity and dominion are ascribed to the Lord Jesus
Christ (2 Pet 3:18; Rev 4:11; 5:13; 7:10), with a hearty seal of approval and confirmation
by believers. This is not surprising when the blessings received by the merit and work of
Christ are considered.

The Lord Jesus Christ loves His church, clearly showing this in the redemption and
purchase of it, by the price of His own blood. The translation ‘washed’ is apparently a
poor one, with ‘loosed’ being much better, thereby describing His sacrifice as the act of
gaining liberation for His people from the slavery of sin. This work of Christ brought into
being a Kingdom (a better translation then kings - cf Ex 19:6; 1 Pet 2:5,9) of priests for
the service of God (5:9,10; 20:6; 22:5; Rom 12:1; etc).

QUESTION: What should be the response of Christians to the work of Christ for them?
Discuss.

Verse 7: Verse seven begins with an arresting and attention grabbing appeal, pointing to
the imminence of the Second Coming. It is as if Christ were already on His way. Note
that there is no secret coming here, for all will see Him. He comes with the glory of
heaven (Ex 13:21; 16:10; 1 Kings 8:10,11; Dan 7:13; Mt 17:5; Mk 14:62; Acts 1:9; Rev
14:14), clearly as the returning Christ. He will be seen by those who rejected Him (Zech
12:10) - even the whole world. These will mourn, being in a state of shame and
hopelessness (6:16; 16:9,11,21; Mt 24:30). This declaration is also met with a hearty
affirmation of believers.

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Verse 8: The prologue concludes with a clear reference to Christ as Almighty God
(1:4,17; 21:6-8; 22:13), eternal, omnipotent and sovereign. Alpha and Omega are the
first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and are used in this verse to indicate that
Jesus is the complete and eternal God.

QUESTION: What encouragement is there for persecuted Christians in verses 7 and 8?

INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY

What is to be understood by the sharp two-edged sword in Revelation 1:16? Give

reasons for your answer.

Also, if you have not yet read through the Book of Revelation, please do so, keeping in
mind the seven parallel sections outlined in last week’s study (See 2. Understanding
Revelation).

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