Revelation 1
By Pastor Libby
Ready…Set…
Welcome to the Book of Revelation! Does the mere thought of reading Revelation bring about trepidation and hesitation in you? I will admit it does for me. As we have come to the last month of our year long reading of the New Testament and daily devotionals, my mindset for this particular and distinct literature has primarily been focused on, “How in the world can I begin to interpret and understand Revelations myself, much less impart anything worthy to those who read my musings?!”
Revelations is a book of Prophecy yet I was reminded that, “Prophecy is given not to satisfy our curiosity about the future but to teach us how to live today.” [i] In Revelations 1:1 my mind and heart are put at ease as the writer John titles his work, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” He didn’t name it “The Scary End Times,” or “Name your date for the Apocalypse,” or even “Pan Millennialism verses all the rest.” No, the primary purpose of Revelations is to lead us into a deeper understanding of the nature of God, to teach us about Jesus Christ.
He is the beginning of all things (Alpha[ii]). He is the end of all things (Omega). He is not the author of fear (“Do not be afraid”[iii]). You see the gloves come off in Revelation. Jesus Christ is revealed in all his greatness. As we journey through Revelation together, commit to looking for Jesus as you have never seen him through these scriptures before, put aside the temptation to become overly enamored with the details of interpretation and instead embrace Christ, the privilege of a right relationship with Him.
