The Big Reveal

Grace and Peace from our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Book of Revelation is one of the most challenging parts of Scripture for many and often is a neglected part of Scripture. Reformation theologian John Calvin, for example, never wrote a commentary on the book even though he wrote commentaries on nearly every other book. Until the genre of apocalyptic literature was rediscovered, many commentators simply did not know how to read it. Others have an unhealthy interest in Revelation and end-time speculation. But this fall we are going to continue to look at the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. If you are interested in exploring the rest of the book I would encourage you to read my commentary on it at revmarple.com.

I’m calling Revelation “the big reveal.” Despite the common mistake of citing this book as Revelations (with an s), it is the singular revelation of Jesus Christ. God gave this one revelation to Jesus to show His servants what must soon take place. It is not a book with a bunch of little revelations needing to be put together like a puzzle, it is a book that reveals one big picture. We read, “in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.” John is describing the risen and ruling Jesus in the midst of the churches. Indeed, we read, “from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” because His Word is powerful. We read, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” The big reveal shows you Jesus in the midst of His churches speaking His powerful word as He is now and it shows you Jesus coming again on the clouds. Revelation tells you the true story.

We are invited to hear and take to heart this big reveal. Your story is Jesus loves me and has freed me from my sins by His blood and made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father. If we hear and take to heart this revelation, we will get off our self-imposed islands and gather together to encourage one another as the coming of Christ draws near. If we hear and take to heart this revelation, we will find ourselves telling others, ‘Jesus loves you and has freed you from your sins by His blood. Believe the good news.’ The time is near. Let’s not only take this good news of the forgiveness of sins to heart but give this gift to a world that needs Jesus.

“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).

In Christ,

Pastor Justin