Apocalypse Now
I want to write a few things about the book of Revelation and I want to say from the beginning that this will be different from what you are probably used to reading. Most articles and books on our last book of the Bible are endeavoring to expound on the meaning or truth of what we are reading in Revelation. My approach is going to be radically different. Very little of what I share is intended to provide you with meaning or understanding. Instead,I want to help you discover the meaning and truth of this book for yourself.
Rev. 1:20 begins with the words “The mystery of…” followed by several things that will be seen in what follows in the book of Revelation. In Scripture, God uses mystery for the purpose of discovery. He wants to show us things through personal investigation. Consequently you find passages such as “ask, seek, and knock.” The tenses of the Greek verbs are actually telling us to “keep on asking,keep on seeking, keep on knocking.”
The Greek word for Revelation is “apocalypsis” and means to uncover, to unveil. Vincent’s Word Study renders it “the unveiling of something hidden, which gives light and knowledge to those who behold it.” When Simeon held the baby Jesus, Lk. 2:32, he prophesied Jesus would be a “light to lighten the Gentiles.” The word “lighten” is apocalypsis in the Greek. Jesus would be used as a complete unveiling spiritually for the Gentiles.
In Matt. 16 Jesus asked his disciples who men thought he was. After hearing various answers he asked Peter specifically who he was. Peter answered correctly saying, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Jesus reply was very telling. “Blessed art thou Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” The key word here is “revealed” which is “apocalypto” in the Greek; the verb form of the word we are studying.
I think the message here is lucid; hearing of and from Jesus is meant to be by revelation from heaven, not the conjectures of men. God wants each of us to pursue knowing him for ourselves. In chapter one of Revelation, it starts with, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” The word “of “ could just as easily be translated “from.” Personally, l read this as “The Revelation of and from Jesus Christ.” This makes sense when you look at the contents. If I told you I am Stoner Clark and I served with the Marines in Vietnam I would be telling you something of me and from me.
There is something interesting about the author of Revelation. In John 21:22, Jesus says, “…if I will that he tarry till I come…” This was Jesus speaking to Peter with reference to John. It is clear from the first chapter of Acts and following scriptures that the apostles were called to witness to the resurrection of Christ. As the one who appears to have been the closest with Jesus, I believe John was ordained to give us this revelation of Christ and of his second coming.
This is further accentuated in Rev. 1 verses 10 and 11. John hears a voice as of a great trumpet saying, “I am alpha and omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches in Asia…” This is clearly a mandate not only for John but also for all true disciples of Christ. The marching orders say, “Receive a revelation, record a revelation, and relate a revelation.”
As followers of Jesus, we are all given a similar injunction. In our pursuing Christ, we are to consistently be receiving, recording, and relating (witnessing) the revelations being made known to us. John is being understood here as not only a man but also as a ministry enveloping all believers. Our revelation, our knowing Christ, is a major part of our calling to edify, to build up the body of Christ.
In Rev. 1:9 we learn that John was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word and witnessing about Jesus. This was not just about exiling a man. It was about exiling an entire ministry, a ministry that proclaimed the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of the meanings given for Patmos is “my killing.” John’s enemies exiled him for the purpose of putting his message to death.
Just as John the Baptist represents the ministry of preparing the way for Jesus, so the Apostle John represents the ministry of capturing the revelation of Christ and proclaiming it universally. The enemy is still attempting to exile this ministry today. Our greatest proclamation of the gospel today is not the words of our mouths but the actions, attitudes, and behaviors manifested in our hearts and lives.
We may not know all the answers to the many mysteries sprinkled throughout the book of Revelation, but as followers of Christ we are equipped to receive, record, and relate revelations of Christ continually. We are called to live out the ministry that John initiated. God is more ready to speak to us than we are prepared to hear.
And so as John wrote to the seven churches, every message culminated with the phrase, “He that hath an ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
