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Revelation of Jesus Day 2
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place." (Revelation 1.1)
Revelation
"Revelation" is connected specially with the work of the Holy Spirit. There is no other part of the Bible which is so lit up by God's Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals a picture of the whole of the Christian life. "Revelation" is no technical theological idea; it is what God is offering or revealing to all who will listen.
Apocalyptic Books
The Jews hoped in the end times for the direct intervention of God. All time was divided into two ages this present evil age and the age of God to come. Between the two there was to be a time of terrible trial.
Revelation Literature
Between the Old and the New Testaments, the Jews wrote many books called "Apocalypses" which were visions of the dreadful time before the end and of the blessedness to come. Although there is nothing like it in the New Testament, Revelation belongs to a class of literature which was common between the Testaments and has parallels in the Old Testament in Ezekiel and Daniel.
These books are to some degree wild and unintelligible, for they are trying to describe the indescribable. The very subject with which "Revelation" deals is the reason why it is sometimes so difficult to understand.
Revelation of Jesus
"Revelation" begins with God, the fountain of all truth. Every truth which human beings discover, whether scientific, medical or otherwise, is a gift from God. People never create the truth, they receive it from God. This reception comes from diligently seeking and from reverently waiting.
God created humans with minds and it is often through our minds that he speaks to us. Certainly he does not grant his truth to the person who is too lazy to think. God sends his truth to the person who not only thinks strenuously, but waits quietly in prayerful devotion. Prayer and devotion are active dedicated listening for the voice of God.
Jesus Revelation
God gives this "revelation" to Jesus Christ. The Bible never, as it were, makes a second God of Jesus; rather it stresses his utter dependence on God. "My teaching," said Jesus, "is not mine, but his who sent me" 1 and again, "I do nothing on my own authority but speak as the Father taught me." 2 "I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak." 3 It is God's truth that Jesus brings to human beings, and that is precisely why his teaching is unique and final.
Meditation
1. Can you allow the vivid word pictures in Revelation to flow over you?
2. What vivid dream do you still recall from childhood days?
Prayer
"Yesterday, Today, Forever, Jesus is the same, All may change but Jesus never, Glory to his name"
Notes
1John 7:16 2John 8:28 3John 12:49
The Bible never makes a second God of Jesus; rather it stresses his utter dependence on God.
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