Though it may seem to conceal in mystery, Revelation reveals in majesty. Above all, we see Jesus, God the Son, as perfected prophet, priest, and king. Like the certainty of the sun behind storm clouds, the glory of the Son shines steadfastly behind the storms of this fallen and falling world.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it (Revelation 1:3, NKJV).
There seems to be an uptick in preaching through the book of Revelation. And not just messages on the letters to the seven churches or selected passages, but series that work through the entire book.
This is a healthy and necessary thing for Christ’s church.
Revelation can present a challenge with its strange imagery and confusing structure. Plus, there are so many different approaches to understanding the book. It’s much easier to stick with a Gospel or an epistle.
But in Revelation our Lord gives His church a perspective unmatched by any other book of the Bible. It is uniquely presented to encourage and equip God’s people for the challenges they face in this period between Christ’s ascension and return.
Like the psalms, the book communicates in a way that informs the mind, excites the imagination, and stirs the soul. Vivid imagery opens wide believing eyes in awe and expectation, and stirs longing for the return of the Champion of God’s elect.
Revelation must be preached but for more than intrigue. It is far more than a key to understanding world events, although it gives categories that encompass those events. It conveys redemptive rhetoric rooted in the Kingdom of God and His Christ that offers strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
