Revivalation (Part 1)
Revelation is a book that alludes many readers. Fear fills the heart of many readers who assume it depicts a horrific apocalyptic end of the world scenario. If readers have dared to peruse its pages, it is not at all unusual they walked away feeling confused.
So what is the book of Revelation and why was it written? It is a common response: "To reveal what will happen in the end before Jesus returns." But this is not the primary purpose of writing. It is the reason for you to listen, to read it, and to obey what it says.
Look at what John writes in the introduction: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near" (Revelation 1:3). Jesus is coming soon to fulfil His plans for the world. Yet, Jesus is also still in close proximity to His church and continues to speak to her.
The title of the book is "The revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1). The Greek word that the English translates as "revelation" is ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis). It means an unveiling, clarification, or a revelation of something concealed and unknown. John is writing what Jesus is telling and show him and he is sending it to the seven churches in Asia (modern day Türkiye).
"Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea" (Revelation 1:11).
Why would the church need a revelation of Jesus unless they had lost sight of Jesus? What becomes apparent when reading each letter to the churches, is that each church is failing in one regard or another. Jesus makes clear that each church's failure (or risk of failure) is actually due to something separating them from Jesus.
Notice Jesus tells Ephesus that they need to repent because they have lost their first love for Jesus (Rev. 2:4). Smyrna is facing persecution and won't be spared by the attacks of Satan (Rev. 2:10). Pergamum is capitulating to the culture's practice of idol worship and accepting Roman sexual ethics (Rev. 2:16-17). All of these have a serious risk to destroy the church in different ways.
This gives us the clearest insight into why John wrote Revelation on behalf of Jesus. To revive the church which has failed to follow Jesus. The church's revival happens when Jesus speaks to his church and she listens and obeys. He calls to some of the churches to repent (Rev. 2:5,16) and some to remain faithful until the death (Rev. 2:10). One thing is consistent across all of the churches, Jesus comes near to them; He reveals their sin, the solution, and the promise of eternal life for faithfulness (or renewed commitment).
When this happens, the church will see revival. The resurrected Jesus who holds the churches in his hand comes to each church and offers them new and eternal life. The churches that are at threat of going extinct due to persecution are given assurance that Jesus will be victorious. Each church which was changing and losing their distinctive identity as Jesus' people are also being assured that Jesus will hold them accountable.
Jesus does not fail because the church has forgotten her calling. Jesus corrects, restores, and retrieves the church from where she wanders. Whenever the church fails, Jesus is faithful. He does not give up on the church (like people might). He comes closer and corrects the church. It's Jesus' job and He does not fail to restore the church's purpose every time it might happen.
The book of Revelation is for the wanderers, the failures, the deniers of Jesus. Its words speak to you if you have forgotten Jesus, or rebelled against Him. If you are tempted to disobey or deny Jesus, He comes to you now like he did to John:
"Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Rev. 1:17–18).
Further Reflection on Revelation:
- What can we learn about Jesus' direct approach to His church in confronting the failures of the church?
- Why does Jesus use symbolic imagery when communicating to His Church?
- Re-read Revelation from start to finish and reflect on how each section is calling the church to revival. How does this change the way you read Revelation?
