Revelation 1:1 – This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.   3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.

Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.  All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” (NLT)

Today’s reading comes from the Book of Revelation.  To our modern ears and our modern way of thinking about the world, this book is difficult to understand, but there are tremendous truths to uncover.  Christians should study this book just as they would any other book of the Bible.  What many fail to understand is that throughout this book it is Jesus Christ himself that reveals the message to John.  It is Jesus who is quoted in verse eight of this passage.  Ignoring this book is to ignore Jesus!  While this book has been interpreted by many to be about some future events, it is timeless, and has spoken to every generation since it was written, and it should speak to us, as well.

In these opening verses of this book, verses five and six speak volumes.  It is Jesus who has freed us from the power of sin.  We know the result of sin, but we also know the result of Jesus’ death in our place: the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).  Verse five above speaks of this: “All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.”

Being freed from our sins is paramount in our relationship with Jesus, but we must never forget what our responsibility is as those who have been freed from sin’s power.  We are told what this responsibility is in verses six:  “He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father.” Priests, or pastors, are people who should be seen and heard.  Priests and pastors should be people of influence.  All Christians should be seen and heard.  All Christians should be proclaiming the power and glory of God.  All Christians should be people of influence.

Today, let us consider what people see in us, and what they hear from us.  Let us consider the influence we may have on others. As we are told to do in verse six, let us give Jesus the glory forever, and ever!  Amen!   

Posted by Ramón Torres