Book of Revelation - Are you ready?

Pastor Meng Chiam

Human history from heavens perspective

Big idea:
Jesus reveals himself to his people that they might be witnesses for him

1. Nature of revelation
Rev 1:1-2
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.


A. Unveiling of Jesus Christ
Revelation=apocalypse means unveiled or uncovered

B. A human intermediary in this case is John through dreams and revelation

C. A blessing for the faithful
Rev 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.


- Hear and keeps God's word in the testimony of Jesus


The purpose of book of revelation was to bring comfort to the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable


II. The revelation of Jesus Christ is about Jesus Christ
- know who he is

A. In his purpose for us
Rev 1:4-6
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.


His life, death, resurrection and exaltation to restore us in the rightful authority as God's family, inagers
- he loves us presently, continually and eternally and his enduring love for us


B. In his place in the godhead
Rev 1:12-18
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.


- this is first vision of John seven visions


Rev 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”


Rev 1:17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.


Christ in all his deity and glory is Yahweh


Have I misrepresented Jesus and have I been faithful?
- He is the undercover boss


iii. The Revelation from Jesus Christ
- be ready for what is to come

Rev 1:1
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,


Rev 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.


Rev 1:19
“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.


- modern Western turkeye
- there will be a day of reckoning (for the good, the bad, the ugly)
- be ready, it'll take place soon


Rev 1:9-11
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”


Rev 1:12-13
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.


Rev 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[a] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.


- though unseen, Jesus is well Aware of those under persecution and those succumbing to persecution

- Jesus can deliver us from our suffering, trials and tribulations. He can also deliver us through our suffering, trials and tribulations

- be ready but be patient


Rev 1:7
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[a] and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[b] So shall it be! Amen.


- whether one rejoices or wails at his coming is depends on our current relationship with christ
- expect things to get worst before it gets better