Vision of Jesus: John opens Revelation with an upfront declaration of its main purpose: “to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place” (1:1). What the triune God reveals in this book is the imminent coming of the grand finale to history as prophesied in the OT: the second coming of Christ. Jesus will descend from heaven to reign on the earth and all the world will mourn over how they rejected Him (1:7).[1] What will Jesus be like at His second coming? John details the vision of the risen Christ whom he saw. Jesus is the High Priest of heaven[2] in blazing glory whose central concern is His people. Jesus walks in the midst of His churches (1:13; 2:1) and holds His heralds in His hand[3] whom He is about to send to deliver His message.
Letters to the Churches: Before the revelation of the things to come (4:1), Jesus speaks a message to each of the seven churches. He speaks with great insight, because nothing is hidden from His flaming eyes and He knows each congregation intimately. The Lord shepherds them and speaks to the needs of each church: personal obedience (Ephesus), courage (Smyrna), sound doctrine (Pergamum), moral rectitude (Thyatira), spiritual alertness (Sardis), perseverance (Philadelphia), and earnestness (Laodicea). Jesus is concerned for these things, not only for the seven, but for all churches for all time.[4] We are to heed His words (1:3) and be ready for His coming and for eternity.[5]
[1] The first of this verse is from Daniel 7:13 in which the divine Son of Man comes from heaven to reign as king over all the kingdoms of the earth (Dan. 7:14). The second part is from Zech. 12:10 applied to the nations.
[2] Robe (podērēs [ποδήρης]) and sash (zōnē [ζώνη]) describe the priestly attire in the OT. For the former, cf. Ex. 28:4; 29:5; for the latter, cf. Ex. 28:4, 39; 29:9; 39:29.
[3] The lampstands (1:12-13) are the churches (1:20) and the seven stars (1:16) are His messengers (1:20).
[4] This is explicitly stated with each of the seven churches: 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.
[5] With each letter, Jesus holds out the promise of heaven for those who overcome: 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21.