Revelation 2: The Unveiling of Jesus Christ.

[Marilyn C]

The Unveiling of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 1: 1 – 8)


The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him... (Rev. 1:1)


Revelation – from the Greek Word apocalypse[/I], meaning to unveil.

There has never been any monuments erected in honor of great personalities throughout the centuries that is comparable to the magnificence of this unveiling of Jesus Christ & the magnitude of His triumph.

What inexpressible pleasure God the Father enjoyed when unveiling His Son`s true character & credentials, for the purpose of showing to His bond servants the regal nature of His Well Beloved.

This unveiling of Christ`s Deity was given to John, the Apostle & he was to write it down for the Body of Christ down through the centuries.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which shortly must take place. And He sent & signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, & to the testimony of Jesus Christ & to all things that he saw. (Rev. 1:1- 2)

Blessed is he that reads... this prophecy as it shows the full manifestation of Christ enthroned & empowered on high. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, not only the Son of Man, but the Son of God.

[I]Blessed is he who reads & those who hear the words of this prophecy, & keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Rev. 1: 3)


We then read that the whole Godhead is involved in bringing forth this wonderful unveiling


The Father, delighting in fully presenting His Son, (Matt. 3: 17 Rev.1: 1, & 4)
The Holy Spirit, who teaches & brings these truths to remembrance, (John 16:13)
The Lord Jesus Himself who desires us to behold His glory. (John 17: 24)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ`s First Triune Titles.

John is writing to the seven churches in Asia, however they are but a representative of the whole Body of Christ down through the ages who will read this wonderful revelation.

Grace & peace are given from the Father, (who is....was...) the Holy Spirit, (7 fold Spirit) & Jesus Christ.

`John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you & peace from Him who is & who was & who is to come, & from the seven spirits who are before the throne,
& from Jesus Christ...` (Rev. 1: 4 & 5)


The Father then presents us with the first of Jesus` Triune titles.

Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, & the ruler over the kings of the earth. (Rev. 1: 5)


The Faithful Witness – The integrity of His ministry.

As a witness Christ far exceeds all others because of the greatness of the witness He bears. He did not trifle over transient things but testified to eternal truth. In His message to mankind He unveiled the mysteries of God, foretold the future of nations & disclosed the issues of life.


The Firstborn from the dead – His conquering victory over the enemy.

This title shows Christ`s victory over Satan, sin & death. Christ battled against the enemy & conquered victoriously. He died, rose again & ascended to sit at the Father`s right hand on high. This certifies His authority forever as the One who can never know defeat. He is preeminent even of the dead, as the first manifested alive from the dead.


The Ruler over the kings of the earth – His ultimate authority over all Rulers.

Christ is ruler, king of the regency of truth in the heavenly realms. (John 18: 36 & 37) And finally He will bring this rule to bear over the nations of this world.

 

[Marilyn C]

The 3 Groups of People.

The Apostle John now gives a hymn of praise to the Lord, bringing out the three different groups that Christ is dealing with – the Body of Christ, Israel & the Nations. Throughout the book of Revelation we will see how the Lord deals with each group & what their outcome will be.


The Body of Christ.

John gives praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is He who loves us & gave His life for us.

He has made us kings & priests to rule & reign with Him forever. This is the Body of Christ, for no other group has the privilege of being kings & priests. When the Body of Christ is complete it will be caught away to the 3rd heaven to rule & reign with Christ.

To Him who has loved us & washed us from our sins in His own blood, & has made us kings & priests to His God & Father, to Him be glory & dominion forever & ever.
(Rev.1: 6)


Israel.

The second group that God has plans for is Israel. They have been blinded to the truth of their Messiah. However at the end of the tribulation they will realise that Jesus, their Messiah is the one that they crucified. It will be a traumatic time for them but healing will flow as the Lord reveals that He bought atonement to them individually & as a nation.

Behold He is coming with clouds, & every eye will see Him, & they also who pierced Him. (Rev. 1: 7)


The Nations.

The Gentile nations of the earth, the different tribes are also a group in God`s plan. When they see the Lord coming to earth they will mourn. Their rule & authority has come to an end & Christ`s awesome power & glory causes them to wail in fear, guilt & grief.

And [I]& all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen (Rev. 1: 7)


[/I]

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ`s Signature

Christ would now have us to see His eternal attributes. This is His Deity that was hidden behind the veil of His flesh while on earth. He is the all- knowing, all powerful One throughout time & eternity. The I am.

“I am the Alpha & Omega, the beginning & the End,” says the Lord, “who is & who was & who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1: 8)


His Omniscience – “I am the Alpha & Omega,”

Christ is the whole alphabet, from whom the entire vocabulary for expressing revealed truth is derived. All the treasures of wisdom & knowledge are in Him. (Col.2:3) There is no such thing as knowledge before Him & there cannot be any beyond Him.

Christ, as the Alpha & Omega, is the only way to spiritual secrets, (Rev.2:17) He is the key to unlock the treasures of truth, Himself the interpreter of the invisible, (Rev. 3: 7) & the Door of entrance to eternal enjoyment. (Ps. 16:11 John 10:9)


His Omnipresence – “The Beginning & the End.”

Christ commenced & will conclude all time periods. He conceived the duration of the ages & will yet crown & consummate the ages to come. Everything is under His control. And no event came before the exercise of His will & none will come after His counsel. (1 Cor. 15: 28)

In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; therefore outside of Christ there is no wider, broader, deeper, higher, greater or vaster measure or authority known.
(Col. 2: 9 & 10)


His Omnipotence – “which is, was & is to come, the Almighty,”

The strength of Christ`s might & majesty transcend all others in ability & authority. He is the competent & self-sufficient One in His almightiness.


When we pause to ponder His enormous energy, His great power, His awesome strength & might, these qualities with their tremendous potential causes us to tremble . But, when we turn & learn of the blended qualities of goodness, gracious care, glorious love which are lavished so freely, our fears depart for we view His heart. (Eph. 2: 4 – 8)

 

[mattfivefour]

Wonderful study! Thank you.

 

[Marilyn C]

Wonderful study! Thank you.

Thank you so much for your encouragement. Any comments on the topic welcomed.