Revelation Chapter 1. Verse 1

by F. J. SMALL, Winnipeg | Category: Revelation Chapter 1. Verse 1 | Feb 1943

That God should have chosen John to write the closing volume of the New Testament is worthy of consideration. His heart filled with the love of Christ and with a deep sense of His personal glory made him a meet vessel for the Holy Spirit's communication of the Gospel, the three Epistles and the Revelation. We should note how he introduces himself in this first chapter, verses 1, 4, 9; also how he speaks of himself in chapter 22.8. It is not just that he was in Patmos, but that he was there "for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." In the Gospel according to John he appears as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," but who could doubt that his was the hand that wrote it? But it was fitting that to a prophetic book, so profound, lofty and far reaching the name of the writer should be given, and this is done with a simplicity and dignity in keeping with John's character as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is no solitary thing for God to set out the strongest contrasts by the same inspired writer. This devoted witness, who said that, "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," was chosen as the fitting medium to reveal the judgements of God that are to come upon the earth. In this lies the moral reason, that Christ if rejected as the Gift of God's grace, and hence the Object of faith, will be known as the Executor of judgement (John 5.22). If men despise the four-fold testimony given to God's Son what can be so inevitable as judgement? The corruption and apostasy of men make the judicial intervention of God indispensable to clear away rebellion and lawlessness and to establish His kingdom in righteousness, power and glory.

The truth had been largely set at naught, and John was left on earth a suffering exile to make known the solemn vision of God. Therein God is seen avenging the injured rights of His own Son, the Son of Man, first by providential inflictions, and last by the Lord Jesus Himself coming to execute judgement personally. Hence, although there are striking contrasts in form, subject and issues between the Gospel according to John and the Revelation, the person of the Lord Jesus is preeminently set forth in both. Thus it is that those who can little enter into the scope of the prophetic visions of the Revelation may gather unspeakable comfort from the various displays it furnishes of Christ Himself, especially so in times of trial, rejection and persecution.

It is to be regretted that some men of mere learning have perverted the meaning of the book.

In John's Gospel, so fragrant with the Divine love, we have frequent intimation of the remarkable position which Christ takes. He is carefully regarded as the Sent One of the Father who lived as Man on earth, so in the Revelation wherever He is seen, whether in heaven or on earth, He is truly Man and truly God, the Eternal. The book is the great unveiling of Himself, the One who in humiliation became dead, but is now alive for evermore. The Lord Himself informs us that the Father gave the Son to have life in Himself (John 5.26). This demonstrates how loyally He accepts, and will not speak inconsistently with, the place of Man to which He stooped for in Him was life, yea He was the Eternal Life which was with the Father before the world was, nevertheless, having become Man in Divine grace, He speaks according to the lowly position He took here. In glory it is just the same, as we see in this book: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show unto His servants" (Gr. Bondservants).

F. J. SMALL, Winnipeg | Feb 1943
Revelation Chapter 1. Verse 1