The "apocalypse of Christ" is not only a title, full of significance, and a gift to the Son of God, but is surely a title denoting the second coming of Christ. The evidence given already proves this. It is the common interpretation given it in the other places it is used in the NT. That is proof enough. But, there is more evidence for this interpretation from the immediate context (chapter one) and from the remaining chapters.
The interpretation that says "revelation of Christ" means "appearing (or coming) of Christ," rather than "information coming from Christ," is the correct view. The contextual evidence proves that the words are from a Greek genitive that is objective rather than a subjective, or genitive of source. It is further substantiated (as stated in the previous posting) by the immediate context (Revelation chapter one), by the whole of the Revelation, and finally by general new testament usage.
Immediate Contextual Evidence
In order for us to get the immediate context for the words "revelation of Jesus Christ" we will cite verses 1-11 (highlighting mine).
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." (vs. 1-11 KJV)
In looking over these verses that follow the divinely given title, who can doubt that references to Christ's second coming are several (highlighted)? This lends support to the interpretation that says "revelation of Jesus Christ" means "coming of Jesus Christ," or his reappearing. On the other hand, there is very little in the context of these words to support the view that "revelation of Jesus Christ" means "truth coming from Jesus Christ." The only evidence from the context that supporters of the wrong view (that the words denote "revelation of truth coming from Jesus Christ") give is the fact that Christ is called "the faithful witness." These contend that it is as "the faithful witness" that revelation comes from Christ. But, this evidence is weak, especially in light of the strong proof that has been given for the view that "revelation of Jesus Christ" denotes the second appearing of Christ from heaven, which is the very thing stated in verse 7 - "Behold, he comes with clouds"! What is this coming but the same thing as his future glorious apocalypse?
There is indeed a "testimony of Jesus Christ" (vs. 2) and a "witness" coming from Christ. What is special however about the book of Revelation and of its being a communication from the risen Christ is the fact that it concerns his future apocalypse. That which Christ bore witness and testimony to in the book of Revelation is his own return, and it is testimony concerning that, through words and visions, which form the substance of it.
Certainly the "testimony of Jesus Christ" and his "witness" includes all new testament revelation. Deity spoke "through the Son" unto men (See Heb. 1:1,2); And, it is Christ the Son who has communicated through his apostles. (See Acts 1: 2) All new testament revelation is "of Jesus Christ," as a source, and this is not merely true of the book of Revelation. The book of Romans is a "testimony of Jesus Christ" via the apostle Paul, and it is a testimony about salvation, justification, sanctification, and about "things which accompany salvation" (Heb. 6:9). The four Gospels are "the testimony of Jesus Christ." But, when one reads of the testimony and witness of Christ in the opening verses of the book of Revelation, it clearly concerns "things that must happen" (in the future from the days of John), about the glorious "apocalypse" and "coming with clouds," about "prophecy" in relation to the time of the end, when Christ returns in power and glory. Notice the similarity of these words to those in the last chapter:
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (19:10)
Since "the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy," and the second coming or glorious apocalypse of Christ is prophecy, then the testimony of Christ addresses that apocalypse, especially here in the book titled "apocalypse of Jesus Christ."
The Second Coming Permeates The Book
Not only is the second coming mentioned several times in Revelation chapter one, in context of the words "apocalypse of Jesus Christ," but it permeates the book. Let us notice some of the verses. First, in the letters to the seven churches, each of the seven letters has a promise "to him who overcomes" and each promise is in regard to something that will be given at the return of Christ. Here are two examples:
"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." (2:25-27)
Surely the fulfillment of this remains for the second coming of Christ.
"If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (3:3)
The warnings given by the risen Lord to the churches was always couched in language that foretells of a coming day of judgment and reward, a return of the Lord to judge the church and the world.
Other References To The 2nd Coming
"For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (6:17)
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." (11:15-18)
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." (14:14)
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (19:11)
"And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (22:6-7)
"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand...And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (22:10,12)
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (22:20-21)
Thus, here is a summation of the evidence presented to support the thesis that says that the words "apocalypse of Jesus Christ" denotes his second coming:
1) The fact that the "revelation of Jesus Christ" is commonly used in the new testament to denote the second coming:
2) The immediate context of the first chapter
3) The context of the whole of the book of Revelation
Further, we have observed how the context gives little reason for thinking that the words "revelation of Jesus Christ" denotes "revelatory knowledge coming from Jesus Christ."
No comments:
Post a Comment