Christ is coming and every eye will see Him.

The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John (the disciple of Christ who was called “beloved”).  This is the same John who wrote the Gospel of John and the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John. John penned the book while living in exile on the island of Patmos under the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian (AD 81–96), likely around AD 95–96. His exile was the result of faithfulness to Christ and bold proclamation of the gospel.

The book was written to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) during a time of persecution and cultural pressure to compromise. The early believers faced hostility from both the Roman government (which demanded emperor worship) and from pagan society (which resisted the exclusive claims of Jesus as Lord). The book of Revelation provided these churches, and by extension, the entire Church, with a realistic depiction of the spiritual battle they faced and the unshakable assurance of Christ’s ultimate victory.

Revelation is, at its core, a Christ-centered and hope-filled book of prophecy. It reveals Jesus as the risen, glorified Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, who holds authority over history, defeats Satan, and ushers in the new heavens and new earth. The book emphasizes that all of history is moving toward the day when every knee will bow before Christ. Its primary theme is the triumph of Jesus and the call for believers to persevere in faithful worship and witness until His return.

1. The Book’s Origin and Purpose (v. 1–3)

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.  (Revelation 1:1-3)

Revelation begins by telling us exactly what it is: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.” The word revelation (apokalypsis) means “unveiling.” This isn't a puzzle to be hidden, but a disclosure of truth God wants His servants to understand. This opening statement is a reminder that the future isn’t concealed to God.  He has chosen to unveil it to His people through His Son.

These “things that must soon take place” are real, future events that will unfold according to God’s prophetic timetable. From the theological perspective that I believe is correct, they include the coming seven-year Tribulation, the visible return of Christ, His thousand-year reign on earth, and the eternal state that follows afterward. John isn’t writing symbolic fiction, but a Spirit-given vision of what will actually happen in history.

Please notice the chain of communication we’re shown in these opening verses. The Father gives the revelation to the Son, the Son communicates it through His angel to John, and John delivers it to the Church. This shows that the book of Revelation isn’t human speculation.  It's divine truth delivered with absolute authority.

Verse 3 offers a particularly special promise: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it.” This is the only book of the Bible that begins with a direct blessing for reading, hearing, and obeying it. This blessing comes to those who respond in faith and obedience. Why? Because “the time is near.” The nearness of the events doesn't mean they all happened in John’s day, but that they could begin at any moment, especially with the Rapture of the Church, which I believe will set God’s prophetic plan into its final stages.

2. The Greeting from the Triune God (v. 4–5a)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.  (Revelation 1:4-5a)

John writes to the seven churches in Asia Minor.  These were real, first century congregations facing real trials. The number seven is significant. It represents completeness, suggesting that while these were historical churches, they may also represent the Church in its fullness throughout the Church Age in which we’re living.

He greets them with grace and peace, grace being God’s unearned favor, and peace being the result of a right relationship with Him. These blessings come not from human effort but from the Triune God.

• The Father is described as the One “who is and who was and who is to come.” He is the eternal, unchanging Lord who rules over history.
•  The Holy Spirit is represented as “the seven spirits who are before his throne.” Most theologians don’t believe this is seven different spirits, but a symbolic picture (echoing Isaiah 11:2) of the fullness and perfection of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.  "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."  (Isaiah 11:2) 
• The Son is identified as “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.”

Each title of Jesus here conveys a deep and significant meaning:

•  Faithful Witness:  Jesus perfectly revealed the Father during His earthly ministry, speaking the truth even unto death.
•  Firstborn of the Dead:  Jesus is the first to rise in resurrection glory, guaranteeing the resurrection of all who belong to Him.
•  Ruler of Kings on Earth:  Even though there are many earthly rulers who deny Him presently, His authority over them is absolute and will be visibly enforced at His return.

3. The Work of Christ for His People (v. 5b–6)

John can’t mention Jesus without breaking into a doxology: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  (Revelation 1:5b-6)

This is the gospel in concentrated form:

• He loves us:  This is present tense. Christ’s love is ongoing, active, and personal.
• He has freed us from our sins by His blood:  This points to His once-for-all atoning death on the cross. Our greatest bondage isn’t political oppression, but the chains of sin, and His blood has broken those chains.
• He made us a kingdom and priests:  This echoes Exodus 19:6 and points forward to our role in the Millennium. As a kingdom, we will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6). As priests, we will have unhindered access to God, worshiping and serving Him in the fullness of righteousness.

The kingdom we belong to isn’t merely an abstract spiritual concept. It will one day be visible, earthly, and global under the direct rule of Christ from Jerusalem.

4. The Certain Return of Christ (v. 7)

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.”  (Revelation 1:7)

This is one of the key verses of Revelation’s message. Christ’s return isn’t symbolic. It will be literal, bodily, and visible to the entire world. The imagery of coming “with the clouds” connects directly to Daniel 7:13–14, where the Son of Man comes to receive dominion over all nations.

While I do believe in the Rapture of the church, which is a meeting of the Church with Christ in the air before the seven-year Tribulation period (1 Thess. 4:13-18), I don't believe Revelation 1:7 is speaking of that event. I believe this verse is speaking of the Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation, when Christ descends to the earth in judgment to establish His thousand-year reign (Rev. 19–20).

The phrase “those who pierced him” refers to Israel, which will look upon Him whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:10). National repentance will occur as the remnant of Israel turns to Christ in faith. But “all tribes of the earth will wail” points to the unbelieving nations who will mourn in fear as judgment falls.

The verse closes with “Even so. Amen” which is a double affirmation of certainty. This will happen exactly as God has declared.

5. The Declaration of the Almighty (v. 8)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”  (Revelation 1:8)

The Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord uses them in this passage as a way of saying that He is the beginning and the end of all things. Nothing exists outside His sovereign control. His plan began before time and will reach its perfect completion in eternity.

The phrase “who is and who was and who is to come” ties back to verse 4, reminding us that God’s nature is eternal and unchanging. He isn’t subject to the ebb and flow of human history.  In fact, He's the One who writes history.

The title “the Almighty” underscores His absolute power. For believers, this is a source of deep security; for the rebellious world, it’s a warning that no one can resist His will.

6. Living in the Light of Revelation 1:1–8

This opening passage of Revelation doesn’t just set the stage for the rest of the book, it calls us to live with clarity, confidence, and hope in a world that often feels chaotic and hostile.

• Clarity, because God has unveiled His plan. We don’t need to guess where history is headed. History is literally moving toward the visible reign of Jesus Christ.
• Confidence, because Jesus is already the ruler of kings on earth, and nothing can derail His purposes. Even now as we await His return, He is building His Church and preparing His kingdom.
• Hope, because the One who loves us and freed us by His blood will soon return to set all things right.

As best as I can see when I look at Scripture, this hope also includes the imminent Rapture of the Church, the restoration of Israel, the defeat of evil at Christ’s return, and His thousand-year reign of righteousness and peace. We are not drifting toward uncertainty. We are marching toward the day when King Jesus will take His throne.

In the meantime, the blessing of verse 3 reminds us that Revelation isn’t meant to be a curiosity for prophecy enthusiasts and Bible scholars alone. This book can rightly be considered a discipleship manual for the end times. We’re being called to hear and obey the voice of the Lord. As we wait for Jesus to return, we’re invited to to live holy, watchful, and mission-minded lives, even when others may question our devotion.

The Alpha and the Omega has spoken. The faithful witness has testified. The ruler of kings will soon be revealed. The only fitting response is worship: “To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

© John Stange, 2025