Revelation, 1:1–2 ~ John Faithfully Reported the Word of God and The Testimony of Jesus Christ—And of Everything, He Saw

Revelation 1:1-2 ~ The Revelation Was Given to John 

Chapter 1
I.                   The Great Revelation to God’s Servants, 1:1–8
A.    The Great Revelation, 1:1–3
1.      The Revelation was given by Christ Himself 2.      The Revelation concerns things that must soon take place 3.      The Revelation was given to John	The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
a.      It was given by an angel b.      It was accurately reported by John	2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
4.      The Revelation blesses the man who reads, hears, & obeys the message	3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.[1]

 

The Penman in the Preface (Revelation1:1, 2)

The Apostle John was the penman to write down this revelation so it could be given to mankind.

• The specifics about the penman. Here is some pertinent information about the penmen. First, his past. John was one of the twelve disciples. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist until John the Baptist pointed out Christ (John 1:35–39). Later he was made an official apostle (one of the twelve—Mark 3:13–19). Second, his preservation. John lived longer than any of the other twelve disciples although he experienced much persecution; in fact, he wrote Revelation from the isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9) where he had been exiled. Third, his position. “Servant John.” (Revelation 1:1). In the epistles John spoke of himself as an “elder” (2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1), but here in Revelation which exalts Christ, John takes the position of a “servant.” The word is “doulos” the lowest of slaves.

• The sending to the penman. “He sent … it by his angel unto his servant John” (Revelation 1:1). The message of the book was given to John mostly by “his [Christ’s’] angel” (cp. Revelation 22:16).

• The signifying to the penman. “He … signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Revelation 1:1). The word translated “signified” means “to declare … to make known” (Thayer). The angel was not only sent but also had a message to declare, to make known. The “sent” would be worthless if there was no “signified.” There is a lesson for preachers here if you do not have a message, all your going and speaking is worthless.

• The speaking by the penman. Who bare record [witnessed] of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:2). John was faithful to proclaim the message he heard. He has spoken to us through writing. His message was the message of God’s Word (“word of God”). and it emphasized Jesus Christ (“testimony of Jesus Christ”).

• The seeing by the penman. “Of all the things that he saw” (Revelation 1:2). John saw many visions of the future which he recorded in this book. The testimony of God has excellent witness. In one of John’s epistles, he said “We have heard … we have seen with our eyes … we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” (1 John 1:1). God gives ample evidence to believe. Unbelief cannot use lack of evidence as an excuse for not believing.^[2] 

3 (1:1–2) Revelation, The—Angel: the Revelation was given to John.

John the apostle was the man chosen by Jesus Christ to receive the Revelation. But note this: John had to be available. Jesus Christ always chooses a man to carry the messages of God to men. But before He can choose a man, the man has to be available. The man has to love the Lord; he has to be surrendered to Christ. John was such a man; therefore, Jesus Christ was able to choose him to receive the Word of God and to share it with the servants of God. Note two significant facts. 

1. It was the angel of Christ who gave the message to John. The word angel means messenger. Again, this particular angel is said to be “His angel,” that is, the personal angel of Christ. The picture is that of some angel who serves Christ as His very special messenger, some angel who is appointed as the very special servant of Christ. 

2. John says that he has accurately borne witness to what he saw. What did he see? 

a. John saw the Word of God. The things of Revelation are the Word of God. God is not far off in outer space unconcerned with man. God cares for man, cares so much that He has sent His Word to us through this book of the great Revelation. We know that God cares for us because He has spoken to us: He has spoken the great message of Revelation to us.

b.  John saw the testimony of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ showed John exactly what God had given Him to reveal to His followers. What John has shared in the revelation is the very testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God Himself. 

c.  John saw all things that are reported in the Revelation, all the events. 

Thought 1. It Is a Matter of Belief. We either believe John or not. John is either telling the truth or he is lying. Which do we believe? Is Jesus Christ returning to earth? Are the events of the end time going to happen as recorded in Revelation or not? Should we be watching for Christ and these events or not? If the Revelation is truly the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, then we must watch and be ready, for every event will certainly take place and nothing will stop them. We shall witness every single event either from heaven or from upon the earth.^[3] 

Witnessing

(Sharing, Preaching, Telling, Testimony)

Related Topics: Evangelism, Good News, Gospel

What Are the Key Principles of Witnessing? 

BIBLE READING: 2 Kings 7:3–20

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Finally, they said to each other, “This is not right. This is wonderful news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some terrible calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let’s go back and tell the people at the palace.” (2 Kings 7:9)

If we have experienced the gospel as real Good News, we will not be able to keep it to ourselves. The lepers discovered the deserted camp and realized their lives had been spared. At first, they kept the good news to themselves, forgetting their fellow citizens who were starving in the city. The Good News about Jesus Christ must be shared too, for no news is more important. We must not forget those who are dying without it. We must not become so preoccupied with our own faith that we neglect sharing it with those around us. Our “wonderful news,” like that of the lepers, will not “wait until morning.” 

BIBLE READING: Jonah 3:1–10

KEY BIBLE VERSE: On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they decided to go without food and wear sackcloth to show their sorrow. (Jonah 3:4–5)

Our responsibility is to witness; we can’t determine who will respond. God’s word is for everyone. Despite the wickedness of the Ninevite people, they were open to God’s message and repented immediately. If we simply proclaim what we know about God, we may be surprised at how many people will listen. In Jonah’s case, the witnessing was done grudgingly, but it was still effective. We cannot predict who will respond. We should never prevent someone from having the opportunity. 

BIBLE READING: Matthew 28:16–20

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

Our witness is based on the authority of Jesus Christ. God gave Jesus authority over heaven and earth. On the basis of that authority, Jesus told his disciples to make more disciples as they preached, baptized, and taught. With this same authority, Jesus still commands us to tell others the Good News and make disciples for the kingdom.

Jesus’ command compels us to witness. When someone is dying or leaving us, his or her last words are very important. Promising them that he would be with them always, Jesus left the disciples with these last words of instruction: by his authority to make more disciples, to baptize them, and to teach them to obey Christ. Whereas in previous missions Jesus had sent his disciples only to the Jews (10:5–6), their mission from now on would be worldwide. Jesus is Lord of the earth, and he died for the sins of people from all nations.

Therefore, we are to go—whether it is next door or to another country—and make disciples. It is not an option, but a command to all who call Jesus “Lord.” We are not all evangelists in the formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to help fulfill the great commission. As we obey, we have comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us. 

BIBLE READING: Acts 1:1–11

KEY BIBLE VERSE: When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Christians today may not be eyewitnesses, but we are faith witnesses to Christ’s power in our life. Luke says that the disciples were eyewitnesses to all that had happened to Jesus Christ—his life before his crucifixion, and the forty days after his resurrection when he taught them more about the kingdom of God. Today there are still people who doubt Jesus’ resurrection. But Jesus appeared to the disciples on many occasions after his resurrection, proving that he was alive. Look at the change the Resurrection made in the disciples’ lives. At Jesus’ death, they scattered—they were disillusioned, and they feared for their life. After seeing the resurrected Christ, they were fearless and risked everything to spread the Good News about him around the world. They faced imprisonment, beatings, rejection, and martyrdom, yet they never compromised their mission. These men would not have risked their lives for something they knew was a fraud. They knew Jesus was raised from the dead, and the early church was fired with their enthusiasm to tell others. It is important to know this so we can have confidence in their testimony. Twenty centuries later we can still be confident that our faith is based on fact. ^[4] 

As John faithfully reported the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ—and of everything he saw, (we too must share what we know of Christ, our Lord, and Savior). ^NLT John saw the vision and then faithfully reported … everything he saw. He saw the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation, according to John, is God’s Word—not simply John’s narration of what he saw. It is an eternal message. The testimony “of” Jesus Christ could also be translated “from” Jesus Christ. The words of this book describe the promises and actions of God that have come true through Jesus. Revelation, as difficult as it may be to understand, should not be neglected. It should be read and studied, for it is the Word of God and the testimony of Christ to all believers, from the first century to today.^[5] 

Father God, we ask you to give us the courage and to fear not when the opportunity presents itself to share our faith in you with those that do not yet know you. Help us, Lord, to speak up boldly, not with pride or arrogance but with the confidence of knowing what a personal relationship with you is. We have learned that our lives are better with you in them as you guide us in our decisions and calm our hearts as we face the daily struggles and trials of life. We remember what it was like to live life without you, and we do not want to live that way any longer. We praise you, Father God, for coming into our lives, giving us the hope of eternal life, and removing the fear of our greatest enemy, death. We again praise you, Lord, for the change of heart, the calm and peace of mind that surpasses all reasonable logic and understanding. We thank Father God for all you do in our lives. Again, Father God, help us to share with others the hope you have given us; that is all we want to do, share the hope, love, grace, and mercy you have shown us and see the same in the lives of our family, friends, and acquaintances. May we faithfully share you as you present the opportunity. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Revelation, 1:1–2 ~ John Faithfully Reported the Word of God and The Testimony of

Jesus Christ—And of Everything, He Saw 

^[1] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[2] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.

^[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[4] Wilson, Neil S. 2000. In The Handbook of Bible Application, 632–34. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

^NLT Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

^[5] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.