Unveiled Hope

That's the message of the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  Actually this (the first few verses of the Revelation) could be read two ways. 

The first way is that this book is revealed BY Jesus for John to write and pass on to the Church.  It is important to remember that these are word-pictures and words given to John (he writes them in his context and from his image-pool).  They are given to John by our Lord and they carry a very heavy and final Revelation for the world to hear.  Jesus, through John, reminds us often to have ears to hear the words and minds that stretch to perceive what is being said.  Obedient followers ... listen with hearts that seek God!

The second way to read this is that this is a Revelation about Jesus.  It tells us the end of the story of God's mission of bringing His people home and of redeeming all things.  It tells the age old story of God making things right in the end and to Jesus' work on the cross setting all things right.  It describes strange and wonderful images and terrible tribulation as God's complete and righteous victory is finalized.  It is all about our Lord and His work on this world coming to a finality that is complete, stark, perfect and fulfillment all in one.  Furthermore, I (as does John) cannot even begin to describe all that will happen because I am limited by language and intellect.  Obedient followers ... hear with spiritual ears.

Rest assured that by Jesus and about Jesus sums up this first few verses of the Revelation ... and it should sum up the very life of the Church.  It is sad that we often forget this as we seek a church that is about us and for us.  Yet God shouts that the beginning and end of history is about God's plan, His purposes, His glory and His perfect will.  As is the repeated instruction from the Gospel our instruction here is similar ... FOLLOW!
Pastor Randy