The Unending Reign of our King

Prologue

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants[a] the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail[b] on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Footnotes

[a] Revelation 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant later in this verse

[b] Revelation 1:7 Or mourn

Summary

Revelations is understood as an apocalyptic account of a God given vision to John on the island of Patmos, an island off the coast of what we know as Turkey. John introduces himself and the process of this revelation. Then John directs the reader’s attention to the purpose of this letter. This vision’s audience is a direct message from Christ, Himself, to the seven churches that are in Asia. As we journey through Revelations for the time being, we will see the words of Truth and promise to these seven churches that are facing trials and tribulations.

Reflections

More often than not, people do not want to look deeply into the book of Revelations. It has so many “cryptic” messages and images/symbols that might cause the reader to think that reading through and understanding Revelations is too daunting a task. However, Revelations should be a book that births great hope and encouragement in the people of God. Most importantly, Revelations is reminding the sevens churches at that time, and all future readers that King Jesus has won, is winning and will reign victoriously from everlasting to everlasting. John reminds the church, and hopefully for all of us today, that our God, our King is the one who is, who was and who is to come. These are not just words from John in hopes that the seven churches will be encouraged in times of great distress; these are the direct words from God, Himself; “Grace to you and peace from Him who was, who is and who is to come..”

Application

Let us remind ourselves and take great solace in the truth that God has already won. Many times, our current circumstances seem greater than the God of the circumstance. We become so short sighted, granted we are finite beings. However, our God is greater. Take heart today that you can truly face tomorrow because God has already won. God reigns supreme; let us bask in His victory because He has made it our victory in Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and King. 

Prayer

Living God, 

Our current issues, troubles, worries often take hold in our hearts. We lose sight, all too often, of the truth that you are victorious and that you will return to us triumphant. Allow us to see us as you see us, as heirs of the Living God  and children of the King. May the heavens open up today and may your face and countenance shine upon us and give us peace.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.