Revelation Part 02
This is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants” the things which must soon take place. “And he sent . . . it [the message] by His angel to His servant John.” Revelation affirms that the entire New Testament points to Christ’s second coming.
Peter reminds us that there are many books written and things said by man, but there is only one source of truth and prophecy that is inspired by God, and that is in the Bible.
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19).
Revelation is a light in the darkness, a “more sure word of prophecy,” offering hope, warning and assurance to God’s people. It pulls back the curtain and illuminates spiritual realities and future events. It portrays Christ as the victorious King. For the suffering Church of the first century (and for believers today) it remains a call to endure, to remain faithful, and to anticipate the glorious return of Jesus Christ, when all things will be made new.
The Book of Revelation teaches us deep and essential truths about God, Jesus Christ, the future and our role in God's plan. It introduces the Author (God), the scribe (the apostle John) and the recipients (the seven churches), and reveals the central role of Jesus Christ. He is the eternal, divine, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of earthly kings, the Redeemer and the One who loves and elevates believers to be kings and priests.
Revelation unveils God’s plan for the future, forming the basis of Christian eschatology (the study of end times), and offers a prophetic worldview that focuses beyond the present moment. It deals with questions of death, judgment and the meaning of world events, themes shared by all major religions, but rooted here in the truth of Scripture. Revelation affirms that the entire New Testament points to Christ’s second coming.
The imagery of clouds, found throughout Scripture, symbolizes God’s presence and power—just as in Israel’s wilderness journey, the Temple and Jesus’ ascension. Revelation reinforces that Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, who is, was and is to come (Revelation 1:8, 22:13). This highlights God's sovereignty and eternal nature, as also declared in Isaiah 46:9–10, “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning...”
Seven categories of believers are promised blessings throughout the book—for those who read, hear, obey, die in the Lord, remain spiritually alert, are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, partake in the first resurrection, and wash their robes (Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14).
Revelation also teaches that following Christ includes tribulation and suffering, echoing Romans 8:18–19. Yet, it offers a glorious picture of Jesus, as the glorified Son of Man, radiant, powerful and alive forevermore (Revelation 1:13–16). He holds the keys to death and the grave (Revelation 1:18) and will return to reward each according to their deeds (Revelation 22:12).
Finally, Revelation instills a compelling sense of urgency—the time is near! Though not referring to a specific day, it signals a coming era of fulfillment in God’s plan. Just as the environment of ancient Rome set the stage for early Christian challenges, today’s global political, social and religious climate is similarly preparing the world for the fulfillment of these prophecies. Through Revelation, believers are reminded to stay faithful, alert and hopeful, knowing that God's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect time.
In tomorrow’s lesson we will look at the structure and framework of Revelation.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
