InstaStudy

Revelation 1: Unveiling the Glorified Christ

An outline for studying Revelation chapter 1.

1. Introduction and Greeting

1.1 The Source and Blessing of Revelation

Verses: Revelation 1:1-3
  • The book of Revelation is a divine unveiling, a disclosure of truths previously hidden but now revealed through Jesus Christ.
  • This revelation was communicated through an angel to John, highlighting the importance of messengers in God's plan.
  • There is a blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy, emphasizing the importance of engaging with and obeying God's Word.

1.2 Salutation and Praise

Verses: Revelation 1:4-6
  • John sends grace and peace from the One who is, who was, and who is to come, signifying the eternal nature of God.
  • Jesus Christ is identified as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth, emphasizing His multifaceted role.
  • Jesus has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God, highlighting the transformative power of His sacrifice.

2. The Coming of Christ and God's Sovereignty

2.1 The Certainty of Christ's Return

Verses: Revelation 1:7
  • Jesus is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him, emphasizing the universality of His return.
  • All peoples on earth will mourn because of Him, highlighting the judgment associated with His coming.
  • This verse affirms the certainty of these events with the declaration 'Even so. Amen.'

2.2 God's Eternal Nature

Verses: Revelation 1:8
  • God declares Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, signifying His complete authority and eternal existence.
  • This declaration reinforces the concept of God's all-encompassing nature and His role as the ultimate source and destination of all things.
  • God identifies Himself as the Almighty, emphasizing His unlimited power and sovereignty.

3. John's Vision and Commission

3.1 John's Commission on Patmos

Verses: Revelation 1:9-11
  • John identifies himself as a brother and companion in tribulation, kingdom, and patience of Jesus Christ, showing solidarity with believers.
  • He was on the island of Patmos because of his faithfulness to God's Word and the testimony of Jesus, highlighting the cost of discipleship.
  • John is commanded to write what he sees in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia, emphasizing the importance of recording and sharing divine revelation.

4. The Glorified Christ

4.1 The Vision of the Son of Man

Verses: Revelation 1:12-16
  • John sees seven golden lampstands, representing the seven churches, symbolizing their role as light-bearers in the world.
  • In the midst of the lampstands, he sees someone like a son of man, clothed in a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest, depicting Jesus in His glorified state.
  • His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire, signifying His purity, wisdom, and penetrating judgment.

4.2 The Power and Glory of Christ

Verses: Revelation 1:16
  • Out of his mouth came a sharp, double-edged sword, symbolizing the power and authority of His word to judge and discern.
  • His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance, representing His divine glory and radiant presence.
  • This imagery emphasizes the power and majesty of Jesus Christ.

5. The Command to Write and the Explanation of the Mystery

5.1 Fear and Reassurance

Verses: Revelation 1:17-18
  • John falls at Jesus' feet as though dead, demonstrating the overwhelming impact of His divine presence.
  • Jesus reassures John, saying, 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,' affirming His eternal nature and authority.
  • Jesus declares that He is the Living One, who was dead, and now is alive forevermore, and He holds the keys of death and Hades, emphasizing His victory over death and His power over the afterlife.

5.2 The Explanation of the Vision

Verses: Revelation 1:19-20
  • Jesus instructs John to write the things he has seen, the things that are, and the things that will take place after this, outlining the structure of the book of Revelation.
  • The mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands is revealed: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches themselves.
  • This explanation clarifies the symbolic representation of the churches and their leaders in John's vision.