[415 words]
The closest Jesus came to writing a book while on earth was when He stooped
in the presence of the sinful woman’s accusers and scratched something in the dirt (John 8:6, 8). He was many things while on earth, but a writer was not one of them.
That changed when Jesus returned to heaven. According to Revelation 1:1, Jesus sent a revelation back to earth from heaven. Revelation (apokalupsis) means “an uncovering,” so you could say He is a mystery writer.
The book of Revelation is not only a revelation from Christ, but also a revelation about Christ. He is both the author and the subject. In that sense, the last book of the Bible is Christ’s autobiography. In it He is the Priest-King (chapter 1), the Judge of churches (2–3), the Creator (4), the Redeemer (5), the Conqueror (6–20), and the Bridegroom (21–22). It begins with a vision of His glory, wisdom, and power (1) and ends with a prayer for Him to come quickly (22:7, 12, 20).
One of the more thought-provoking questions of the New Testament is, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” (Matthew 22:42). Perhaps no greater block of material is found in answering the question than His autobiography. Revelation has much to say about all three persons of the Godhead, but it is especially clear in its presentation of the exalted resurrected Christ who has received all authority to judge the earth.
The Book tells us much about the offices Christ holds and the attributes He possesses. He is called Jesus Christ (1:1), the firstborn from the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth (1:5), the First and the Last (1:17), He who lives (1:18), the Son of God (2:18), holy and true (3:7), the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God (3:14), the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (5:5), a Lamb (5:6), Faithful and True (19:11), The Word of God (19:13), KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (19:16), Alpha and Omega (22:13), the Bright and Morning Star (22:16), and the Lord Jesus Christ (22:21).
A blessing awaits those who study the Book (1:3), so why not delve into it this week? It points a finger at Jesus and focuses attention on Him (John 1:37).
Allen Webster
Jacksonville, AL