Reading For Monday Revelation 1:1-20
John was given a revelation by Jesus Christ who made it known by sending his angel in order for John to show his servants the things that would soon take place. The message is to be delivered to the seven churches in Asia. Jesus is the faithful witness that is the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. His victory will one day be realized when he comes with the clouds, and every eye will see him. Jesus is the beginning and the end because he is eternal.
John pens this book while in exile on the island of Patmos. He connects his condition to the tribulation being experienced by the believers in the seven churches. John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day when he heard a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet. The voice declared that John should write down what he would see and send it to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Having seen the seven golden lampstands, John saw Jesus as a remarkable human figure. He saw Jesus clothed in a robe reaching to His feet, having a golden sash. Like the Ancient of Days we read about in Daniel, this glorious figure with brilliant white hair. His eyes were like a flame of fire. His voice was like the roar of many waters and in his right hand he held seven stars. Proceeding from the mouth and his face was like the sun. Overwhelmed with this vision of the Son of man, John fell down as a dead man, but the Lord comforted him and encouraged him to take courage. The living one was once dead but now is alive and it will never change, and he instructs John to write an account of the things he both had seen and would see.
Things To Consider:
- Why does it matter that this revelation came from Jesus?
- How do grace and peace come to us from Jesus Christ?
- What will be one of the things that is different about his second coming?
- How is John a partner in tribulation?
- What does the description of Jesus remind you of?
- Why do you think John fell down?
- What do you think it was like for John to see Jesus again and in this way?