Not long ago, my friend was struggling to make sense of the book of Revelation and asked, “Joni, what’s your impression of it?” I didn’t have to think: “Enigmatic, formidable, and wildly inspiring!”
Okay, I confess I wouldn’t call the apocalypse wildly inspiring, but you get the point. For centuries, theologians have applied various hermeneutical styles to nail down the interpretation of Revelation, yet to this day the book remains imposing.
For those of us who are not experts, how do we get past “enigmatic” and “formidable” to confidently declare that Revelation is “wildly inspiring”?
When I tackle a book of the Bible, even Revelation, I use an inductive study method, a concordance, and a reliable commentary. BSF gives you those same tools! Your questions, your group discussion, lecture teaching, and the BSF notes all work together to help you discover God’s truth for yourself.
Each time I open my Bible, I begin by asking God to show me something fresh about Himself. He has never disappointed me. The Holy Spirit is a precious instructor who faithfully reveals just what we need when we need it.
The Holy Spirit is a precious instructor who faithfully reveals just what we need ...
In Ephesians 1:17 Paul says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
When we open our Bibles, isn’t that what we long to discover? To simply “know him better”? Following Paul’s example, we too can pray for wisdom and revelation.
Let me show you an example.
When I prayed for wisdom, I discovered Christ’s majesty
In Revelation 1:12-16, the apostle John sees a stunning vision—the glorious appearance of the resurrected Christ. What John sees looks exactly like the Ancient of Days described in Daniel 7:9, the One who is the First and the Last with His eyes blazing like fire, His feet glowing like bronze in a furnace, and His voice sounding “like the sound of rushing waters (Revelation 1:14-15).
It is a vision from another time and dimension, and John is astounded by the face of Christ, shining like the sun in all its brilliance with—of all things—a sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Jesus Christ is standing there, holding seven stars in his right hand. And not just any stars—these brilliant celestial bodies represented the seven angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).
What amazes me is what happens next. The sight of this dazzling figure in the middle of the seven golden lampstands takes John’s breath away and he is overcome (who wouldn’t be?). He collapses at Jesus’s feet as though he were dead.
Now, look at our precious Savior’s response. To me, it is deeply powerful yet impossibly endearing. In a heart-stopping moment, Jesus Christ “placed his right hand on [John] and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One…I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades’” (Revelation 1:17-18).
Bending down to touch and comfort John, the Lord uses His right hand—the hand still holding up the stars and the churches. He doesn’t let them go or set them down. Jesus gently bends down and says, “Do not be afraid.”
When I prayed for revelation, I discovered that Jesus is near
This is astonishing! Our Savior stoops to give us His right hand, not His left—His righteous right hand. This is the same hand that keeps stars, suns, and planets spinning in motion. It is the hand that upholds Christ’s Church and her messengers all over the world.
Do you see it? Even though the Son of God is unspeakably awesome in His glory and power, He does not think that John’s needs—or your needs, your hurts, your fears, or your emotions—are beneath Him.
High and exalted as He now is, our wonderful Savior takes delight in bending low to revive us when we collapse.
High and exalted as He now is, our wonderful Savior takes delight in bending low to revive us when we collapse. His right hand may perform great and wondrous things beyond description, but He also reserves that same hand to gently touch you at your deepest point of need.
How will God respond when you pray?
Even though I learned this insight a year ago in my Bible reading, it’s still fresh. I am still blown away by this humbling insight about Jesus Christ. He stoops, He bends, He accommodates Himself to touch and strengthen our frail humanity.
This year, if you find the book of Revelation a little overwhelming, let me encourage you to approach Revelation with confidence in what has already been prayed for you in Ephesians 1:17:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
May God give you wisdom and revelation so that you may know Christ Jesus better. And when He opens the eyes of your heart, He will give you a mind-blowing picture of His majesty and His tenderness throughout this remarkable book of Revelation.