DAY 1

Jesus revealed

‘The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him [John] to show his servants what must soon take place.’ Revelation 1:1 (NIVUK)

‘John, To the seven churches… Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits… and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings on the earth.’ Revelation 1:4-5a (NIVUK)

Reflection

The word ‘revelation’ is a translation of the Greek ‘apokalypsis’. This doesn’t mean ‘disaster’ as sometimes popularly used, but rather it’s a word that means revealing or unveiling.

The book of Revelation opens not with riddles, but with the revelation both from and of Jesus Christ. This unveiling, the pulling back of a curtain, is to show us unseen spiritual realities that relate to both what is going on right now and, in part, what’s going to take place in the future.

The first image we see is not a dragon or a beast, but the central character of history – Jesus Christ. This is God’s primary purpose for you; not to be confused by the future, but to be captivated by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Like a curtain pulled back on opening night, we are invited to see who is truly centre stage.

Jesus is one with the Father; the One ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come’ (v.4a), the eternal and sovereign God. He is also one with the Holy Spirit, described here as, ‘the seven spirits before his throne’ (v.4b). The number seven represents His perfection and completeness.

Jesus is the source of grace and peace. This reminds us that we are not alone, and we are not powerless. When life feels chaotic, grace and peace are the divine anchors that keep our souls steady. To the early churches and to us today, God says, “I am in control. My grace is sufficient, and My peace is available to you.”

Jesus is the faithful witness. He embodies truth, living and dying with unwavering faithfulness. His witness cost Him everything and because He conquered, we too can overcome any trial knowing He is with us.

Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. Christ is the pioneer of resurrection. Because He lives, we know that death is not the end. Just as He ‘the firstborn’ was raised from the dead, so we can be assured that at His second coming, we too will be resurrected. 

Jesus is the ruler of kings on the earth. In the letter to the Ephesians, we read, ‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.’ Ephesians 1:18-21 (NIVUK)

We can overcome because we have the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead living in us. What an incredible thought!