Revelation 1:3 - Meaning and Application

We have here an apostolic blessing on those who give proper attention to this divine revelation. It is given in a general way, and also in a more specific way.

First, it is for all who read or hear the words of this prophecy. This blessing is meant to encourage us to study this book and not grow tired of it because some parts are hard to understand. Careful and attentive readers will be rewarded. It is a great privilege to have God’s words at all, and this was one of the main advantages the Jews had over the Gentiles. It is also a blessing to study Scripture, since people are well spent when they search the Scriptures.

It is also a privilege not only to read Scripture ourselves, but to hear it read by others who are able to explain it and help us understand. Yet reading and hearing are not enough to make us blessed. We must keep what is written, holding it in our memories, thoughts, affections, and actions. Then we will be blessed in doing it. The closer we come to the fulfillment of Scripture, the more care we should give it. Since the time is near, we should pay even closer attention as we see the day approaching.

Second, this blessing is spoken more especially to the seven churches in Asia, mentioned in Revelation 1:4 and named in Revelation 1:11. Special messages are sent to each of them in the chapters that follow. They are named especially because they were nearest to John, who was then on the island of Patmos, and perhaps he had a particular care over them. This does not exclude the care of any other apostles who may still have been alive.

The blessing itself is grace and peace, holiness and comfort. Grace means God’s good will toward us and his good work in us. Peace means the sweet sense and assurance of that grace. There can be no true peace where there is no true grace, and where grace comes first, peace will follow.

From whom does this blessing come? It is given in the name of God, the whole Trinity, since this is an act of worship, and God alone is its proper object. His ministers must bless the people in no name but his. The Father is named first, as God the Father, which may mean God in himself, or the first person of the blessed Trinity, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is described as the one who is, who was, and who is to come, eternal and unchanging, the same to the church of the Old Testament, the church of the New Testament, and the church triumphant that is to come.

The Holy Spirit is called the seven spirits, not because there are seven spirits, but because he is the infinitely perfect Spirit of God, with a full variety of gifts and works. He is before the throne, because God made all things by his Spirit and governs all things by his Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ is named after the Spirit, because John intended to speak more fully about Christ, God shown in the flesh, whom he had once seen living on earth and now sees again in glory. Christ is the faithful witness. From eternity he witnessed all the counsels of God (John 1:18), and in time he faithfully made known God’s revealed will, now spoken to us by his Son. We may safely trust his testimony, because he cannot be deceived and cannot deceive us.

He is the firstborn from the dead, the one who rose first and stands as the head of the resurrection. He raised himself by his own power, and by that same power he will raise his people from their graves to everlasting honor. Through his resurrection he has given them new birth into a living hope. He is also the ruler of the kings of the earth. Their authority comes from him, their power is limited by him, their anger is restrained by him, their plans are overruled by him, and they will answer to him. This is good news for the church, and it is strong proof that Christ is truly God, since he is King of kings and Lord of lords.

He is also the great friend of his people, one who has done great things for them out of pure love. He loved them, and because of that everlasting love he washed them from their sins in his own blood. Sin leaves a stain on the soul, both guilt and pollution, and nothing but Christ’s blood can wash it away. Christ was willing to shed his own blood so that they might receive pardon and cleansing.

He has also made them kings and priests to God and his Father. Having justified them, that is, counted them right with God, and sanctified them, that is, made them holy, he makes them kings in his Father’s sight, with his approval, and for his glory. As kings, they govern their own spirits, overcome Satan, have power with God in prayer, and will judge the world. He has made them priests by giving them access to God, enabling them to enter the holy place and offer spiritual sacrifices that please him. He has also given them the grace needed for such a calling. For these high honors and gifts, they owe him dominion and glory forever.

He will also be the Judge of the world. "Behold, he is coming, and every eye will see him" (Revelation 1:7). The book of Revelation begins and ends with a prediction of the Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming. We should often think about that coming and keep it before the eyes of faith and hope. John speaks as if he already sees that day: Christ is surely coming, as certain as if we were watching him with our own eyes.

He comes with clouds, which are his chariot and covering. He will come openly, and every eye will see him, the eyes of his people, the eyes of his enemies, every eye, yours and mine. He will bring terror to those who pierced him and have not repented, and to all who have wounded him again by turning away from him. He will also astonish the pagan world. He comes to judge those who do not know God, as well as those who do not obey the gospel of Christ.

This account of Christ is confirmed by Christ himself (Revelation 1:8). Our Lord Jesus rightly claims the same honor and power that are given to the Father in Revelation 1:4. He is the beginning and the end, since all things come from him and are for him. He is the Almighty, the same eternal and unchanging One. Anyone who would try to remove one title from this name of Christ deserves to have his own name removed from the book of life.

Those who honor Christ will be honored by him, but those who treat him with contempt will be held in low regard.