The Testimony of Jesus

"the Testimony of Jesus" - Rev. 1:2

Is the Book of Revelation important to you? Does it bother you that "Christians" live a lifetime without ever coming to understand its meaning and significance? As a new believer back in 2004, I was content to never comprehend its meaning. I thought it was a side issue. I felt I had no time for it. The need around me for a true understanding of the Gospel was so prevalent and the false converts were so numerous I couldn't really think about anything else.  

It is true that the Book of Revelation isn't milk for babes (1 Cor. 3:1-3). It is also true that someone doesn't need to understand its meaning to be truly converted to Christ. For, one must only understand "the principles of the doctrine of Christ" to be justified before God in Christ (Heb. 6:1, 1 Cor. 1:18). However, can we truly say that the Book of Revelation is something "other than" the Gospel?

When the apostle Paul spoke of "the Gospel" that was revealed to him of God (Gal. 1:11, Rom. 16:25), he called it, "the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:12). It's safe to say that Paul didn't use those words flippantly. This is a fitting description of the Gospel. However, accordingly, what was revealed to the apostle John in the Book of Revelation is also called, "the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:1). In other words, the Book of Revelation reveals Jesus Christ, and therefore it's called the Book of Revelation. The first five words of this Book should speak volumes to those who erroneously desire to know nothing more than Christ and Him crucified. Certainly, the crucifixion of Christ at Calvary is important, but so is the glorification of Christ in Heaven (Rev. 5:1-7). Certainly, the "death" of Christ is important (Rom. 5:6-9), but so is the "life" of Christ (Rom. 5:10). 

Most Christians believe that they will overcome all things in the Tribulation Period by virtue of being truly converted to Christ. Therefore, they don't feel they need to understand the meaning of the Book of Revelation (Dan. 12:10). This viewpoint is imposed upon the Scripture in Revelation 12:11 and the fate of myriads is sealed. They will spend a lifetime being a Christian and reading the Bible scores of times, while generally void of conviction to read and understand the Book of Revelation. This is dangerous. Especially, I say, for the slumbering generation upon whom the End of the World is come (1 Cor. 10:11, Matt. 25:1-13). 

"When nations are to perish in their sins, 
It is in the Church the leprosy begins - 
The Priest, whose office is with zeal sincere, 
To watch the Fountain, and preserve it clear, 
Carelessly nods and sleeps upon the brink, 
While others poison what the flock must drink. 
His unsuspecting sheep believe it pure, 
And, tainted by the very means of cure, 
Catch from each other a general rot. 
Then Truth is hushed, that Heresy may preach, 
​And all is trash that Reason cannot reach." 
- William Cowper

Ignorance must not be allowed to interpret the Book of Revelation. The dangerous scenarios of "the End of all Things" simply cannot be ignored (1 Pet. 4:7). Truth can no longer remain silent. The general consensus of utter indifference to the Last Days must be disturbed ("And at Midnight there was a cry made..." - Matt. 25:6). For, this isn't an issue of Eschatology as much as it's an issue of Christology. This is urgent! The Church is ripe for judgment (1 Pet. 4:17-18). The unanswered questions of doomed generations must be realized. For, only then will we truly feel our need for this Book. 

“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.” – Rev 1:1-3

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death…And the dragon was wroth with the Woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Rev 12:11, 17 [Rev. 11:7]

“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.” – Rev 19:10

The foremost virtue found in the lips of overcomers in the Book of Revelation is, statedly, “the word of their Testimony” (Rev. 12:11), but interpreters wrongly take this to be the personal testimony of truly converted people in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Rather, according to Rev. 1:2, Rev. 12:17, & Rev. 19:10, this is "the Testimony of Jesus" - the combined testimony of Jesus in prophecy throughout all ages and, especially, that which was revealed to John in the Book of Revelation. Literally, "the Revelation of Jesus Christ" given to John is "the Testimony of Jesus" according to Revelation 1:1-3; and, both of these are “all things that [John] saw” through “the Spirit of Prophecy” (Rev. 1:2, 19:10) as recorded in the Book of Revelation. John’s prophetic revelation of the End of the World only elaborates upon Isaiah, who elaborated upon David, both of whom preached the fate of the world thus because of their understanding of the Gospel. 

---