Revelation Bible Study Revelation 1:3-5 (The time is near for the rapture and the tribulation)
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophesy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3
John is writing to pastors and teachers in the seven churches. Blessed is the pastor and teacher who reads aloud the words in Revelation and then blessed are the people who are there there listening to the pastor. As you read the seven letters to the churches, you will see each letter beginning "To the angel of the church" in each city. Note that some versions use the word, "messenger" instead of "angel".
What are some reasons a pastor teaching Revelation and people listening will be blessed by the words in Revelation?
Gives them hope of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4)
Encourages them to want to evangelize even more.
Gives them a glimpse of what is ahead.
Reassures that believers on earth today will not suffer the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:3). They will be raptured prior to the tribulation.
They will see Jesus differently than from when he was on earth (Revelation 1:12-16)
The time of the tribulation is obviously much closer than it was 2000 years ago. It does seem like we are in the last days with everything going on in the world, but they also thought that during the Jesus and hippie revolution in the 1960's.
No doubt about it, the time is near.
John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:4-5
John is writing in a book to the seven churches in the province of Asia. There are some in the church who are born again in Christ (has an ear), and then there are others who are not listening to what the Spirit says. But as Revelation 2:11 says "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death." The second death for unbelievers will occur at the great white judgement seat. People who were not written into the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:1-4).
Why is God having John write Revelation? God who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
Here, we are introduced to the 3 persons of the trinity:
God-who is and was and is to come, is eternal, existing in the past, present and future.
The seven spirits represents the 7 characteristics of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
Jesus Christ is the first born from among the spiritually dead and rules the earth. All of us come into the world spiritually dead in Adam and in need of life. Christ was the first person born spiritually alive and in the image of God (Colossians 1:15).
John goes on to explain in depth about Jesus. Through His death on the cross, he has freed us from our sins one time for all, and then through our faith in His resurrection (Romans 10:9), has made us a kingdom and priest. Did you know that?
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
This was done that we might serve God for ever and ever.