Introduction—Unsealed
Revelation, An Unsealed Book
by Timothy C. McKeown
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| Saint John the Theologian dictating to Prochoros, a well-known theme in Orthodox iconography. On display at the Monastery of St. John the Theologian on the Island of Patmos |
Jesus is the Word of God “Logos” | Rev. 19:13 | John 1:1, 14, 1 John 1:1 |
Jesus is Divine | Rev. 1:11 | John 10:30 |
Jesus as the Lamb of God | Rev. 5:6, 8, 12 | John 1:29, 36 |
Jesus as Shepherd | Rev. 7:17 | John 10:11 |
Fountain of thirst-quenching water | Rev. 21:6 | John 4:14 |
Frequent use of sevens | 7 churches, 7 lamps, 7 stars, 7 spirits, 7 seals, 7 horns, 7 eyes, 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, 7 “Blesseds” | 7 “I Am” statements, 7 signs, 7 witnesses (testimonies), 7 major sermons, |
False Jews; Demonic Judaism | Rev. 3:9 | John 8:39, 44 |
Jesus as pierced | Rev. 1:7 | John 19:34, 37 |
3. The Subject of
Revelation: Jesus Christ
Tonight as we study
Revelation, we are only going to get to verse one. In fact, we are only going
to really study the first three words of the Revelation. And the emphasis will
really be on the first word. So you may go home and tell people that it is going
to be a long study in Revelation, because Bro. Tim preached for 45 minutes on
the first word.
a. The Subject of the Revelation
is Jesus and it is not hidden
By its very title, the
book of Revelation is not a book which is to be hidden, obscure or mysterious.
In fact, it is meant to be read openly and in so doing it is to be a blessing
to both the reader and hearer. The opening words of the book-- “The Revelation
of Jesus Christ”—clearly state that this book is to be unveiling and revealing
and uncovering, but even these very words are often obscured and subject to
interpretation to their true meaning. Does it mean Jesus Christ is going to
reveal something? Or does it mean Jesus Christ Himself is going to be revealed
in the contents of the book of the “Apocalypse”
(the transliteration of the first Greek word used in Revelation).
The word apocalypse
comes from two Greek words, “apo” meaning “away from” and “kalupto”, which
means to hide, conceal, cover, or quite literally veil. Thus the Revelation
means to stop hiding the real Christ. It is to reveal Him as He is, not as He
was at the first appearance, but as He fully will be shown in His second
coming. While the word is used as a noun 18 times in the New Testament,
as it is here in Rev. 1:1, 26 times in the verb form, but only once
in the entire book of Revelation.
There is only one part
of the book of Revelation that was sealed, that being of the seven thunderous
voices, found in Rev. 10:4. “Now when the
seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice
from heaven saying to me, ‘Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered,
and do not write them.’” There is absolutely no reason for us to speculate
what will be the contents of the seven thunders. It was not meant to be known
to us, but the existence of them apparently will be revealed at the appropriate
time, and will be likely understood by believers who read this prophetic book
during the time of the Great Tribulation.
But the rest of the book
is meant to be UNSEALED. Rev. 22:10 says, “Do
not seal the words of the prophecy of this book.” Other prophetic books are
stated that they are to be sealed. Isa. 29:10-11, “The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is
sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, ‘Read this, please.’
And he says, ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’” Dan. 12:4 says, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and
seal the book until the time of the end.”
Everything other than
the thunders in Revelation is to be read, heard, studied, heeded, obeyed, and
applied in the lives of believers, from the very first church which first read
this letter in Ephesus, in Smyrna, in Pergamos, in Thyatira, in Sardis, in
Philadelphia, in Laodicia, in First Baptist Church of Killeen, Texas.
b. The Subject reveals Jesus,
both as the Lamb of God, and the lion of
Since much of the book
is presented by those other than Jesus Christ Himself; that is, through visions
and by angels, I believe that the opening words “the revelation of Jesus
Christ” means that this final book of the Bible is the revealing of Jesus
Christ Himself and not the revealing by
Jesus Christ. Had we all of the books of Scripture, save this blessed and
prophetic book, the unveiling of the Son of God would have been incomplete. If
we only had 65 books in the Bible and 26 New Testament books, what would we
know of his quickly approaching return? More than anything else, John received
and wrote the contents of the book of Revelation to unveil the faithful and
true and fulfilling appearance of Jesus Christ, showing forth the hope for
Christians that Jesus Christ did not only come as a lamb slain (Rev. 5:6), but
that He will indeed come again in His truest manifestation yet, that of the
mighty “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” (Rev. 5:5), King of Kings and Lord of
Lords (Rev. 17:14, 19:16).
c. The Subject is only hidden by
Satan Himself
Some people will use the
excuse of the mystic style of Revelation as a reason for avoiding the study of
it. Who do you think is the author of that excuse? “This book will keep you
from Sin, that’s true, but so is the opposite: Sin will keep you from this
book!” Satan, of course, will do all he can to keep you from knowing about the
book of Revelation. In upcoming days, Wednesday nights will have many opportunities
for you and for me to not be here to hear the words of what John saw on the
You’ve heard the phrase
“Whenever Satan tries to remind you of your past, you just remind him of his future.”
How do we know his future? The book of Revelation! That’s why Satan will use
every excuse in the book to keep you from the book and especially the only book
with a guaranteed promise of blessing.
Do not make an excuse
not to study the book of Revelation.
d. The Subject is not scary for
believers
It is not a scary book
for believers. Notice I did not say it is not terrifying for everyone. I said
it is not a book for Christians to fear. Do you remember what it says in 1 Tim.
1:7? “God has not given us a spirit of
fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” Again in 1 John
In Luke 2:32, Simeon’s
prophetic utterance shows that Jesus was to be a revelation to the gentiles
30 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in
peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which
You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation
to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."
If the book of
Revelation is not fearful for Christians, then why do so many fear it? They may
not fear in the sense of being petrified or terrified but AFRAID TO READ IT OR
STUDY IT? Now it could be that some are afraid because they are not truly
saved. But I want to answer the question by referring to other places in the Bible
where the word and concept of “the apocalypse of Jesus Christ” is used. And we
begin this study with the phrase “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”
e. The Subject is Joyous.
I really wanted to put a
lot of words there to explain what the feeling of Christians should be when
they read the book of Revelation, and you can write down words that may come to
your mind. Turn to 2 Thessalonians 1:7, where Paul was writing in response to
Christians who thought the rapture had already taken place. You see some were
shaken in their minds; they were troubled because someone had told them that
the day of Christ had already come. Notice what Paul says to encourage them
about the Revelation of Jesus Christ, when Christ will be revealed. Paul said
in verse 3
“We are bound to thank God
always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly,
and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we
ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your
persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of
the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also
suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those
who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord
Jesus is revealed
(apokalupsei) from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire He
will take vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when
He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among
all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”
And again, may I ask you to turn to another 1:7,
this time Corinthians 1:7, we will read beginning in verse 4:
4 I thank my God always
concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5
that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come
short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is
faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ
our Lord.
And finally lest us turn to a third 1:7, this time
1 Peter 1:7
3 Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away,
reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith
for salvation ready to be revealed (yes,
that is the verb form of the word apocalypse, apokaluphthenai) in the last time. 6 In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by
various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious
than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise,
honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing,
you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of
your faith--the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully,
who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what
manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He
testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would
follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were
ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who
have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things
which angels desire to look into. 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind,
be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you (when?) at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Why have I read to you these
three passages? Did you notice something other than all three were 1:7 passages?
Did you notice the circumstances that the writers, first Paul, then Peter, and
finally from the
Why is the revelation of
Jesus Christ so crucial to Christianity? Because true Christians are counted worthy
of the
Revelation 1:7 says, “He
comes with clouds.” That is joyful, delightful for the Christian. He’s coming
in power, in majesty, in magnificence, in grandeur. The Subject of the
Revelation is delicious to the Christian, and especially those who have been
persecuted for his or her faith. Revelation uncovers and takes away the veil of
the sufferings of Christ, but it also takes away the veil from the sufferings
of the saints. And not just the sufferings of this old world, of old age, of
the sufferings that overtakes the heathen and the Christian, the atheist and
the saint. Paul, Peter, John and Jesus all point to the revelation as a victory
to those who have suffered for the cause of Christ.
Look, please, one more
time at another writing; this found in Romans 8.
13 For if you live according to
the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the
body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are
sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba,
Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs
with Christ, if indeed we suffer with
Him, that we may also be glorified
together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be (WHAT?!!)
revealed (apokaluphthenai, the verb
form of “taking off the veil”. REVEALED in who?!!) in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for
the revealing (your translation may say
manifestation, but it might as well say ‘REVELATION’ because it is the same
word as found in Revelation 1:1 APOKALUPSES! The taking away of the veil) of the sons of God.
The
Revelation of Jesus Christ is Joyous, it’s soothing, it’s rapturous, it’s
ecstatic because it is not only the revelation and unveiling of Jesus Christ,
it is our unveiling too from the sufferings of this world that are not worthy
to be compared to the glories which shall be revealed.
May I say one more thing
about Revelation? We are to be excited about the revelation of Jesus Christ and
also our own revelation, but look once again at Romans 8:19.
19 For the earnest expectation (apo-kara-dokia) of the creation for the revealation (apoc-a-lup-sin) of the sons of God eagerly waits (apek-dech-e-tai). (This is the original Greek order,
using a play on words with three words beginning with “apo”)
20 For the creation was
subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in
hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know
that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we
ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the
redemption of our body.
The Revelation is not
just Jesus Christ from a slain lamb to a conquering King. Not just we believers
from suffering saints to becoming priests and kings unto God and His Father.
But the revelation is of all of creation. All of creation groans and labors
with birth pangs. But even creation will be delivered and revealed to what it
should be.
f. The Subject of Revelation is
Jesus revealed completely.
Can you imagine
Christianity without the Revelation? Ponder for a moment what would the hope
have been throughout the last two millennia of Christians and their relation to
the plan of God through Jesus Christ. God’s Messiah was not for the Jews only,
but He was revealed to be the “Light of the Gentiles.” He was born in abject
poverty, lived most, if not all, of his life in obscurity by the world’s
standards. Jesus the Son of Man was misunderstood by his peers, from his
closest disciples to His most ardent critics. What if this Anointed One had only
been described in the pages of the inerrant, inspired, infallible Scriptures of
the New Testament by only the gospels and the epistles of six, perhaps seven,
early disciples, but not by the Book of Revelation.
There is an insatiable
desire to know even more than what we now know through the Bible. But because
of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, penned by the Apostle John, we
have a vastly greater and immensely more impressive understanding of the Alpha
and Omega than we would have had otherwise, even if we were to include the prophecies
from the Old Testament passage.
If we had not the book
of Revelation, we might have concluded that perhaps some of the prophecies of those
inspired writers of the Old Testament were not to have been fulfilled at all
since they were not realized in Christ’s first coming.
If you think that
Revelation is a sealed, mysterious, hidden and obscure book, look at what you already understand about our
Savior and Lord as a result of John’s Revelation on the island of Patmos.
Because of the book of Revelation,
Christ is shown to be the ruler over the kings and lords of the earth and that He
has made us kings and priests to God.
Without the book of the Revelation,
we would not have seen Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the
End, the First and the Last.
That He holds the keys
of Hades and of Death, and yet He stands at the door and knocks and comes in to
those who open the door to Him; that He gives a crown of life to those faithful
unto death, but will spew out the lukewarm from His mouth; that even though He
appeared as a slain Lamb at His first coming, He is nevertheless the Creator of
all things and is the only One worthy to unseal God’s final judgment on the
earth.
Because of the
Revelation of Jesus Christ, we know that the sky will one day recede as a
scroll when it is rolled up, that 144,000 Jew men, undefiled by women and
totally without guile and deceit, will come from every tribe of the nation of Israel
will be on earth, following Christ
We know that multitudes,
an innumerable amount of people from every nation, from every tribe, every ethnicity,
every tongue, of every language, of every people will be in heaven, praising
the Lamb of God.
Because John on the
island of Patmos received the Revelation of Jesus Christ and because he wrote
in this unsealed book, we know that in heaven harpists will play harps, and the
redeemed will sing songs, songs that are as old as Moses, songs that are a new
as the new millennium and songs that no one but those who have been redeemed
from the Tribulation will be able to sing.
And for those who are
not in heaven during those last days, they will be able to see in this unsealed
book that a demonic leader will perform signs and miracles and call fire down
from heaven to earth, so that he might deceive those still on earth.
Amazingly, the
Revelation of Jesus Christ shows that that despite God’s mercy and despite
God’s wrath, there will always be those who refuse to repent of their sinful
deeds.
John eyes had seen the
glory of the coming of the Lord, who is trampling out the vintage where the
grapes of wrath are stored; and that mighty Savior will sound forth the trumpet
that shall never call retreat; that God still has the ark of the covenant in
his heavenly temple, that Satan will be bound into a bottomless pit, chained
for a thousand years, sealed so never to deceive the nations again.
This prophetic book
reveals the great white throne judgment, it reveals the book of life, it
reveals the lake of fire, it reveals the new heaven and new earth, it reveals the
New Jerusalem descending from heaven, the dwelling of God with humanity.
This Apocalypse unveils that
there will be many things NOT in heaven: we shall no longer hunger, we shall no
longer thirst, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no
more pain, no need for light, no more defilement, no more abomination, no more
lies.
Christ will make all
things new, the fountain of the water of life given freely to all, the gates
made of pearl, the streets made of gold, the city will have the glory of God to
illuminate it.
In it there will be the tree
of life, the presence of the dwelling of the God of all Creation and the
presence of His Son, Jesus Christ.
No wonder than John, who
in his youth had unabashedly and unashamedly said, “Yes, Lord, I am ready to be
baptized with the baptism you are to be baptized with and drink from the same
cup from which you will drink,” now old and who had seen every one of his
fellow disciples crucified, beheaded, cut down by a sword, beginning with his
own brother James, now this same John who had lived through the persecution of his
own Jewish brothers, and then seen the persecution of Nero, of the Emperor Vespasian,
of the Roman Emperor Titus, who destroyed Jerusalem, even as it almost
destroyed itself, and now living in exile under the Emperor Domitian, at the
age of at least 80 years old, said from his banished island and his baptized
life of suffering and his bitter cup of a martyr’s life, “even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Revelation should not
make us afraid, it should make us jump up and shout, Hallelujah, to the Lamb.
Hallelujah to the King of Kings. Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords. We who have
the testimony of the Lamb’s blood shed for our very souls should have no fear
of the coming of the Lord. Notice Jesus says in verse 17, “Do not be afraid.”
In
The book of Revelation is a book that reveals that
uncovers and takes away the veil of Jesus Christ in order to depict Him as He
really is.
