Today you should read: Revelation 1:1-8
Welcome to the book of Revelation – not only the final book in the Bible, but the final book in our JumpStart journey that we began in January 2011.
Revelation is a book of intrigue. It’s a book that so many wonder about, are confused by, or simply avoid.
The Author (v.1-3)
Revelation was written by the Apostle John (the author of The Gospel of John and 1, 2, 3 John) from the Isle of Patmos at about age 92. Patmos was a Roman desert penal colony on an island in the Aegean Sea. The Romans thought that banishing John there would quiet him – instead this became the location God would reveal mysteries of eternity to the world through him.
God showed John the sights of heaven and he faithfully reported everything he saw (v.2).
The Recipients (v.4)
John is writing to the seven churches in Asia:
- Ephesus
- Smyrna
- Pergamum
- Thyatira
- Sardis
- Philadelphia
- Laodicea
Chapters 2-3 are specific instructions to each of them and to us. We’ll look at each carefully in the next few days.
The Subject (v.5-8)
In addition to end time events – the subject of the book of Revelation is of course Jesus. John describes Him as:
- The Faithful Witness (v.5)
- The First to Rise from the Dead (v.5)
- The Ruler of all the Kings of the World (v.5)
- The One who freed us from our sins (by shedding His blood) (v.5)
- The One who made us a Kingdom of priests (v.6)
- Returning Conqueror (v.7)
- The Alpha and Omega – Beginning and the End (v.8)
- The Eternal God (always was and still to come) (v.8)
- The Almighty One (v. 8)
Jesus is truly the beginning of all things –
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
…and the end. Spend some time today realizing this. We live our lives like this is make believe and all that really matters is us and what we do. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Our lives are short and time on earth is fleeting. Live like you know that today.
Posted by: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 
Wow! Nearly 5 years of Jumpstart! What an amazing journey it has been to read through God’s word together and hear the hearts of our staff members each day through the commentaries. Thanks to all staffers, past and present, who have lead us on this adventure in God’s word. We are blessed by you!