The Bible is God’s story of how He lovingly, wisely and patiently redeems and restores a wayward creation back to Himself. It is, therefore, not surprising that in the last book of God’s story that the central character of this Redemption Drama takes front and center stage. We would avoid so many interpretive dead-ends to the Book of Revelation if we paid more attention to Revelation 1:1: It is “the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The Resolution Of The Plot Of God’s Story

The Book of Revelation is above else an unveiling of Jesus Christ in his glory. It reveals him as the Lamb of God who’s death on the cross redeemed lost people “from every tribe and language and nation” (Revelation 5:9). According to my NIV Concordance, Jesus is called the Lamb 31 times in the Book of Revelation. I think God is wanting us to clearly understand that the key to the plot resolution of the Bible’s Drama of Redemption is Jesus Christ’s death on the cross (see especially Revelation 5).

In the New Testament, Jesus is not only revealed as the Lamb of God who willingly sacrificed his life for others, and not only as the loving Shepherd who cares for his sheep (John 10), but he is also revealed as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

As the Lion of Judah, he is not only strong to judge his people (Revelation 2&3), but also is strong to judge the whole world (Revelation 6-20). It is to him that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is LORD to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11). This exaltation and vindication of Jesus by God the Father not only finds its basis in the fact that Jesus is deity in the flesh (Phil. 2:6a), but also because in his incarnation as a servant, he was totally obedient to his heavenly Father (Phil. 2:6b-8).

This is why Jesus is worthy to play the central role in God’s Drama of Redemption. He is worthy to take the scroll, the title deed of the whole earth, and to open its seals, because he was slain for sinners like you and I (Rev. 5:9). He paid the debt of our sin’s guilt and delivered us from the powers of darkness, and has made us a to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and to reign forever in the new creation (Rev. 5:10). This will be the theme of our new song throughout eternity, to the glory of God.

Getting Our Focus Right

If Christians would meditate more on the truths of Christ’s Person as revealed in the Book of Revelation and respond to His many exhortations to be faithful, the Book of Revelation would yield more of its spiritual riches to God’s people. It is not a Book which is primarily meant to be read like a scientific chart. It is more like a worship hymnal focused on the revelation of the glories of the Lamb of God, who is also the long-promised Lion of Judah.

I know many professing Christians might disagree with that assessment. But this is why there is so much confusion regarding the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. When we focus on the Anti-Christ and who it may be, and when we focus on the timing and nature of end-time events, we become guilty of a subtle idolatry. We shouldn’t be surprised that a lot of today’s popular teaching on Revelation appears like the teaching you get in a Marvel Comic book.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, it says that there will be a great falling away of professing believers before the Anti-Christ will be revealed. I believe one of the greatest contributors to this will be the sensationalist “prophecy” teachers, who will eventually cry wolf one too many times, and who breed complacency and false hopes among professing Christians.

Let us take seriously Christ’s words of admonishment as he walks among his churches (Revelation 1:13,20). He is the loving Shepherd of his people, but he is also the Lion of Judah that cannot be tamed, even by his people. He is revealed as the One who has eyes like blazing fire, feet like burnished bronze, and a voice like the sound of rushing waters (Rev. 1:14,15).

When the Apostle John heard and saw the glorified Lord Jesus, he “fell at his feet as though dead” (Rev. 1:17). Jesus then placed his right hand on John and said: “Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Rev. 1:17,18).

In 1 Peter 4:17, we read: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” This is the exact pattern we see in the Book of Revelation. The Lord Jesus first calls his Church to account in Revelation 2 & 3, as he encourages and admonishes his flock. And then he calls an unrepentant world to account in Revelation 6-20.

This will be the pattern in the end times before the Lord Jesus returns in his Second Coming. The Lord will allow trials and tribulations to come that will purify the Bride of Christ. And then the Bridegroom will come for his purified Bride, and we will be with him forever. The repentant and unrepentant will see who the world’s rightful Lord is. The one group will gladly welcome him, the other group will try to hide from him.

QOTD: Are you allowing the hope of seeing the Lord Jesus face-to-face one day to purify you from all idolatry in your hearts?