Blessed is the one

There is much about the book of Revelation that is uncertain. There are wild and fascinating images that stretch the imagination. There are events that could be categorized as worthy of the science fiction movie genre. There are creatures and people who make grand pronouncements that shift the course of world events. So much of this is difficult to pin down and interpret, leaving the reader puzzled. And yet, there is much about Revelation that is certain. It is the final chapter of the story of God, humanity, and redemption that began with the creation and continued through every page of the Scriptures. It is undeniably, as one commentator put it, “God-saturated,” depicting the Lord as one who is not only near but fully engaged in a world that is falling to pieces. With certainty, it gives the reader glimpses of the end, of heaven, of sincere worship, and of evil’s ultimate and final demise.

Thus, it can be said with certainty that the Revelation of Jesus Christ is a book of hope. It is intended to build and sustain the faith of all who read and study it. It was given to the Apostle John to give to the Church to overwhelm the believers with God’s awesomeness and sovereign control over history and over the future. As the book is read and studied, it is much less about attempting to interpret every little detail and much more about God’s perfect plan to redeem humanity and a constant encouragement to keep living for Jesus in light of the great and amazing things he is doing now and will yet do.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation
Message: 1 - Blessed is the one
Text: Revelation 1:1-8
Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
March 27, 2022

I am promised the eternal blessings of God if I am…

…attentive to his Word (1:1-3)

When studying Revelation and eschatology it is all too easy to lose sight of the call of Christ in Revelation, which is to live victoriously as overcomers of sin, the world, and the devil and to remain faithful to him at all costs because he will make all things right in the end. Whatever view one thinks best reflects the teaching of Scripture, it must always be kept in mind that Scripture always presents the doctrine of last things as a motivation for faithful living.
Alan S. Bandy, Views of the Millennium

…adoring of his Son (1:4-5a, 8)

…assured of his love (1:5b)

1 John 3:1

…accepting of his gospel (1:5c-6)

So far as I can see, every Bible passage about the return of Christ is written for a practical purpose –not to help us develop a theory of history, but to motivate our obedience.
John Frame

…awaiting his coming (1:7)