The Revelation of Jesus Christ

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon. He made it clear by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who then testified to everything that he saw concerning the word of God and the testimony about Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it, because the time is near!” Revelation 1:1-3 NET2.
Recalling what John wrote at end of his Gospel in chapter 21 and v. 25, “There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” It is reasonable to conclude here in a visionary manner that Jesus is not yet finished.
Verse 1 uses the Greek word ‘doulos’ which can be translated into English as ‘slave,’ but in the NT sense the word is better in a spiritual sense of,a slave of God or of Jesus Christ voluntarily. In fact, the HCSB translation translates the word as being ‘ ‘slave’ and the NASB sees it as bein
‘bond-servant.’ The NASB translation may hold the best rendition for the culture of that day of one who sold himself into slavery in a similar fashion as was done in Colonial America. However, in a spiritual sense, the idea is that of becoming a voluntary slave of God or of Jesus Christ. For everyone who decides to follow Jesus by grace through faith there is a voluntary determination to become His eternal torch-bearer. The Christ has purchased that person’s soul at the Cross for eternity, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NASB.
In this revelation that the angel of God gives to John, the Apostle clearly writes down everything presented to him as a testament concerning the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are able to trust that every single word found in this text is accurately true in content. Nothing is in error. With that in mind going forward we are able to receive as absolute truth the fantastic creatures and events that are about to unfold are not fables. These events and creatures will one day be known to everyone.
The Revelation is a prophetic statement in truth in its entirety. There are some interesting things to note that are to be found in this revelation. John will testify to the fact that he ‘saw’ certain thing at least 44 times, there are seven blessings given throughout the book and the first one is given in verse 3, and 54 different times the number 7 of completeness is utilized. Something to think about: by the time the people who initially read the prophecy his visions had already passed, but the imminent fulfillment of them had not. But there is something which is curious about the blessing he writes for they “who hear and obey” will receive a blessing. I would suggest that blessing might be that their names are to be found in the Book of Life, “And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:3 -5.
Jesus is Lord.