Like many books of the Bible, Revelation is named from the first words in the text, "The revelation of Jesus Christ …". The original word (apokalupsis) means uncovering, or revealing something that is hidden: 'apocalypse' in English.
Christians often talk about being blessed, and they should because it is a recurring idea through the Bible - used almost 7 thousand times. The word used here means to be truly happy; experiencing the deep pleasure of being in good relationship with God, contented and having all that is needed (Matthew 5:1-12). That is God's character. When He blesses people, He provides another opportunity for us to share in His nature, as we receive His goodness and respond in praise.
John wrote down the vision which the Lord Jesus showed him. The initial recipients were seven churches in the western side of what is now Turkey. The apocalyptic (unveiling) writings later in the book are to be taken seriously because, in writing to the seven churches, the Lord Jesus revealed what He saw at that time (Revelation 2:1-3:22).
This is both a benediction (good words spoken about the Lord Jesus Christ), and a doxology (declaring that glory shall come to Him). It is all about Jesus. Jesus loves us. Yes, we know the Father loves us but Jesus also was motivated by His own personal love for us, as well as His obedience to the Father. His death on the cross took away the bondage of sin, releasing us from its grip (Romans 6:12-14).
This little verse is simple in language but packed with immensely powerful cosmic drama. As with all of Revelation, the focus is on the supreme glory and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. The book reveals many other characters but the spotlight is always on Jesus. This verse is, in many ways, a summary of Revelation: Jesus will come back to finish what He has started.
This book was written down by John, having been revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ on the authority of God the Father (Revelation 1:1). At the end of this prologue (Revelation 1:1-8), the Revealer identifies Himself. He declares Himself to be the I AM.
John was on the island of Patmos. It was small, about 45 square km in area, one of the Dodecanese (meaning ‘12 islands’) grouped off what is now the western coast of Turkey, some 50 km west of today's Didim. It was not a holiday for John. He had been sent there as a captive to be punished for preaching the gospel and speaking about Jesus. According to Jerome, John was probably there during the last three years of the Emperor Domitian's rule, and was released when the Emperor was killed in AD96.
Although all the first Christians were from a Jewish background, they met together for worship on the first day of the week, instead of the seventh which was the Jewish Sabbath.
Revelation is John's faithful description of the words and visions Jesus gave him. Having been alerted by a trumpet-like voice, John wrote down what he saw, to send to seven churches in what is now western Turkey (Revelation 1:10-11). It sets the scene for the specific prophecies to them. The voice was behind him, so he turned around to see who was speaking.
John had just seen a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ and had heard His voice: it first sounded like a trumpet blast of command, and then as the sound of rushing waters - either a deluge of judgement or life-giving (Revelation 1:12-16). Awestruck, John collapsed at His feet. Moses had not been allowed to see the Lord because His majestic purity would consume him (Exodus 33:20-23).
