“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 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.”
Revelation 1:1-3
From January 12 through August of 2025 we will be walking slowly through the last book of the Bible. Notice what this book is meant to reveal… JESUS. It’s a revelation from Him but primarily of Him.
“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.”
Revelation 1:12-16
The book of Revelation is filled with references to the Old Testament, but we recently studied Daniel as an intentional setup for this series.
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”Daniel 7:9-14
For most of his earthly ministry Jesus referred to himself as the “Son of Man.” At first this seemed harmless and humble, but in time the Jewish leaders realized it was a reference to Daniel 7 and was actually a claim to full divinity.
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.”
Matthew 26:64-66
There are several excellent resources I am consulting to prepare for this series. Here are some of the most helpful.
Note that the Bible Project has an excellent podcast filled with additional discussion on their videos, such as The Day of the Lord and the Chaos Dragon.
Another fantastic resource is the book Blessed by Nancy Guthrie. This is a practical and accessible overview of Revelation’s primary themes with a strong emphasis on application. She notes that the blessing promised to those who read this book is for those who “keep” what is written in it. In other words, we are not blessed for just listening to the words of the book for for obeying and applying them. Guthrie’s podcast gives a detailed overview of the book through interviews with some of the top Revelation scholars in the world.
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:6-7
As we begin this journey, let’s invite the Lord to speak to us and call us closer to Himself through the study of His Word. Let’s encourage one another to walk faithfully with our Lord, the Son of God and Son of Man who is coming soon!