Book of Revelation
Revelation or the apocalypse means an unveiling. The book is the message of the unveiling or revealing of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist played a key role in the revealing of Christ to Israel at his first coming.
When asked whether he was the Christ, Elijah (who was to come as prophesied by Malachi 4:5) or the Prophet like unto Moses, (Deuteronomy 18:15f), John denied. (John 1:20, 21)
Rather, he explained his mission of baptizing as directly related to the revealing of the Messiah. “I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:31-34).
His glory with the Father, was not fully known. These are some of the reasons he was rejected and crucified. The time would come when He must be revealed in his glory.
The apostles often wrote about the revealing of Christ in his glory. Peter wrote acknowledging himself as a witness for Christ and a partaker of the glory that was about to be revealed. (1 Peter 5:1)
Paul taught that the miraculous gifts would continue to confirm the disciples to the end so that they came behind in no gift eagerly waiting for the revelation [Apokalupsis, unveiling] of the Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 1:7, 8)
Thus the message of the Apocalypse reveals the glorified Christ, unlike the Christ who in His humiliation, came to die for man. The Christ portrayed in the Apocalypse is the one who was dead, but is now alive forever more.
Book of Revelation reposted from Lastdays-Eschatology archives.
