Revelation 1:19 Commentary and Bible Study

This book is going to be about things from the time of Christ’s resurrection all the way until his second coming. Things which happen immediately and things which happen later.The three categories of things that John is to write do not strictly correspond to discrete chapters or divisions of the book. It would be wrong to say that ‘the things which you have seen’ refer to chapter 1, ‘the things which are’ refer to chapters 2 and 3, and ‘the things which will take place after this’ refer to chapters 4 and following, as the futurists suggest. Chapters 2 and 3 also include future events for Christ says what he will do to bless or protect the churches. Chapter 4 onwards contain things which have already taken place at the time of writing, as well as things which are future, and things which are present throughout the gospel age – in chapter 12 there is an unmistakable reference to the birth of Christ. The chapter then goes on to describe the ascension and the persecution which Satan unleashes on the church. This persecution was already being experienced by the time John wrote. These three categories are then found mixed together throughout the book – the redemptive work of the incarnate Son of God, his protection of the churches throughout the gospel age, and the events which will unfold at the end of time when Christ returns visibly to judge the earth.The things which John had seen refer to the vision of the glorified Christ and his presence among the churches. This is the basis of all that follows. Christ is with his people and he is deeply concerned about their welfare. He walks among the churches as their Redeemer, who has laid down his life for them and will not allow them to be ultimately harmed.