The Book of Revelation begins by saying that it is a “revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word “revelation” is the Greek word apokalupsis and means it is an unveiling, or revealing of Jesus Christ. (From the Greek words “apo”, a taking away; and “kalypsis”, a cover---an uncovering, or exposing). Readers are, therefore, to learn truths about the Lord Jesus since this is a revealing of truth, not a concealing. It is also communicating that these are truths that come from Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS IT THAT IS REVEALED ABOUT JESUS IN REVELATION?
In the four gospels, there is an abundance of truth about Jesus. So, what might the Book of Revelation be revealing about Him? In the gospels, the focus is on His first coming with an emphasis on His humanity, humility, suffering and sacrifice. He is the Lamb who came to be “pierced through for our transgressions” and be “crushed for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5). In contrast, Revelation is about His second coming in power and glory. In John 5:22, Jesus declared, “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.” Revelation reveals detailed information about Jesus as the judge of all. What is hinted at in the prophets of the Old Testament and the gospels is detailed in Revelation. When Jesus receives the scroll from the One on the throne (Rev. 5:1-7), He then executes judgments on the earth. These many judgments have a two-fold purpose: (1) to awaken people to reality and their need for a savior, and (2) to judge wicked men and nations. His powerful, unprecedented judgments will bring people to the place where they no longer hold on to their atheism or agnosticism. Their religions will be seen as fraudulent and their philosophies as empty. In the Tribulation, millions will choose to believe in Jesus (Rev. 7:9-14) and reject following the Antichrist and Satan. After the Tribulation is underway, people will finally come to realize that these judgments are not bad karma or a terrible set of circumstances, but that they are the “wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16-17). National Israel will come to faith in Jesus during that terrible period, and then in turn be a light to the gentiles. Many will be saved. In fact, there will be millions who are saved. But the judgments from Judge Jesus will also harden the devoted followers of Antichrist and Satan and they will be eternally lost. Even though they know the judgments are from Jesus Christ, they curse Him and refuse to repent (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21). Revelation, therefore, unveils Jesus as the judge of all and His judgments are unlike any ever seen before.
Linked to Jesus’ role as judge is the unveiling of truth about His role as the warrior-Messiah. The imagery shifts from Jesus being “the Lamb” to that of being a great warrior. In 19:11, He is identified as One who is “Faithful and True” (19:11) in that He will fulfill all of the messianic prophecies. In many places, the Old Testament does see Messiah as the conqueror (e.g. Zech. 9:10; 14:14). And Revelation 14 and 19 add graphic details to His conquering. He will come mounted on a white horse (symbolic of victory) and He comes militarily as the King who is a warrior. He will totally crush His enemies. The slaughter will be real and it will be complete. Using hyperbole (hypothetic exaggeration), it is declared that the shed blood of His enemies will reach the “horses’ bridles” (Rev. 14:20). The Antichrist and the False Prophet are King Jesus’ great foes and they will be seized by Him and dispatched to the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:19-20). Although it is said that Jesus has “His army” with Him (Rev. 19:19), it is the warrior-King who will unilaterally destroy the enemies. When the warrior-King is finished with His enemies, they will be totally vanquished and He will then begin His marvelous thousand-year reign on the earth. It is important to observe that the Apostle John speaks of Jesus Messiah smiting the nations and using the “rod of iron” as being in the future. The use of the future tense speaks against the views of Amillennialism and Postmillennialism which have Jesus beginning His reign at His first coming. These verses clearly place the battles of the warrior-King as something still in the future at His second coming.
OTHER REVEALINGS OF JESUS IN REVELATION.
Towards the end of the Book of Revelation (19:12-16), some names are attributed to Jesus. In the Old Testament, God revealed many things about His attributes and actions through the names He gave Himself. For example, He is ADONAI which communicates He is the Master, having absolute authority. He is EL SHADDAI, the Almighty One. He is YAHWEH which reveals Him to be the active, self-existent One. The names given to Jesus in the Book of Revelation do reveal truths about Him. In Revelation 19:12-16, three names are given.
19:12 --- “He had a name written which no one knows except Himself.” At first, this might seem to be of little value. However, it communicates a great deal. First, it is a reminder to all that He is incomprehensible to us. Much has been revealed to us, but there is so much more that we do not know about Him. Matthew 11:27 records some word of Jesus: “…no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son…” This unknown name surely says something about Him being the Eternal Son/the Anointed One and with it the power and glory that accompanies Him. The context in Revelation 19 is one of power, authority, and righteous judgment. We are not told if we will ever learn what this name is, but it tells us there is much about Him that we do not know.
19:13 --- “His name is called the Word of God.” This immediately brings John 1 to mind where Jesus is identified as “the Word”. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, in order that full restoration and reconciliation could take place. As Genesis 3:15 declared, mankind brought the problem of sin into the world and mankind would be the solution to the sin problem. The man Jesus would bring about this restoration. Also, Jesus communicates truth about God as no one else does. Hebrews 1:1-3, the Son is the pinnacle of God’s revelation. He is truth (John 14:6). And, therefore, it is appropriate that this title is given to Him as He comes to fulfill all that was spoken about Him and about doing what the Lord God declared that He would do. At this time, Genesis 3:15, the covenants and the promises will be fulfilled.
19:16--- “He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” This title was given earlier in the book, though in reverse order (17:14). The use of this phrase, instead of just “king”, is emphasizing the supremacy of the rule of Jesus. It underscores His absolute authority over all who are kings. It is a reminder of Daniel 2:44 which declared that when man’s kingdoms are destroyed, then God’s forever kingdom will be inaugurated and never again will a created being rule unilaterally. It is a reminder of Psalm 2:1-4 where the Anointed One will destroy the rebellious kings of the earth and establish His kingdom on this present earth. King Jesus is supreme over all who are kings and all who rule.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS.
This unveiling of Jesus as judge and warrior-king, is given to assure us that the rebellion and aggressive sinfulness of mankind will not escape the retribution of God. Daily we see the flagrant immoralities, deceit, and a blatant disregard for God’s righteous standards. We wonder if this is going to go on unchecked. It will not. People unfortunately confuse God’s patience with a lack of seriousness about sin. The book of Revelation is quite clear on that point. When Moses asked to see God up there on Mt. Sinai, God did accommodate Moses. And in that great self-revelation, God was clear that He was very patient with men (Exo. 34:6-7). He told Moses that He is slow to anger and that His love was consistently extended to man. But He also indicated that if man would not respond to His loving kindness and grace, He would step in and judge them. God has indeed been amazingly patient with us sinners. However, the Book of Revelation shows that those who will not respond to His grace and come to Him will receive the full outpouring of His wrath in the coming period of Tribulation. Those who will not accept God’s gracious offer of salvation through Christ will drink of the full, potent wrath of the Lamb. Judgment will be without mercy.
David makes a lot of sense in Psalm 2, when after speaking of the coming of God’s “fury” and “anger”, he encourages kings and people to come and worship the Son and avoid the terrible consequences of His anger (Psa. 2:10-12). His wrath could come at any moment, according to the Scriptures, and how wise it is to be a follower of the Lion-Lamb of Judah and not experience the wrath of the Lamb. And surely, one of the reasons we believers are left here is to help such come to know Jesus who gives life eternal to all who believe.
