Revelation—A Simple Book With A Simple MessageSample

The Key to True Happiness

The simple message of Revelation, which advocates we obey so that He can unleash great blessings, is:

· His purpose for us is to be a faithful witness, no matter our circumstances, and not fear death, any sort of death. If we do that, He will reward us beyond our imagination. 

· Many sorts of difficulties lie ahead, ranging from severe persecution to the siren song of great riches. But no matter how crazy events on earth get and no matter what we are tempted to rely upon, God is still on His throne. Nothing happens on earth that He did not authorize. Nothing can take His place. So we keep being faithful and courageous witnesses because we can trust that History is still in His hands. 

· Accordingly, no matter the circumstance in which we find ourselves, we can discover what it means for us to be a faithful witness, in Greek a martyreo.  

This statement sums up the very simple message of Revelation: “Be a faithful witness, and walk in obedience, no matter the circumstances. Jesus possesses the throne, and will reward His faithful servants.”

One of the last verses in Revelation is 22:12-14, which begins by quoting Jesus' statement saying:

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Blessed are those who do His commandments…”

The Greek word translated ‘blessed’ in this verse, is also makarios, the same as in the opening promise of Revelation, which is pivotal. Clearly, the greatest blessing available in life requires us to adopt a perspective that runs contrary to that of the world. We need to see obeying Jesus not merely as an “ought to” demand, but as a pathway to a great treasure.

As we continue with the study, we will see what it means to be a faithful servant, a faithful witness, and why it is worth obedience no matter the circumstances and no matter the cost.