The book of Revelation is often a difficult book to understand. However, Genesis is the book of beginnings, so it seems natural for us to want to see what the book at the end of the Bible will reveal. After all, it’s called the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The first verse of Revelation tells us that its testimony, or message, originated with God, was shown to Jesus, and shared in signs and symbols by an angel to John, traditionally thought to be John the apostle, Jesus’ beloved disciple.
Even though there may be some question about the identity of the human author of Revelation, there should be no doubt that Jesus was involved in its message.
The Sermon on the Mount, which began with a list of blessings, known as the Beatitudes, are reflected heavily in other blessings scattered throughout the book of Revelation.
For example, Jesus told His listeners that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). And Revelation pronounces a blessing on those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. This meal is to be enjoyed by the saints, those who have made themselves pure and are given garments of fine linen, which are seen by the world as their righteous acts. See Revelation 19:5-9.
The Beatitudes also speak about those saints who are pure in heart. They will have the blessing of seeing God (Matthew 5:8). More specifically, these holy ones are first resurrected when Jesus comes and will have the honor of reigning in heaven with God as priests and kings for a thousand years. See Revelation 20:4-6.
In Jesus’ famous Sermon, we also note that those who are merciful will obtain mercy, and those who are peacemakers will be called the sons of God. Being merciful, like our heavenly Father, and striving to live peaceably with our neighbors here on earth are both promoted in the Ten Commandments. It is by choosing to please God and serve others that we are given the strength and power to actually keep His commandments.
Notably, Revelation 22:14 says that those who do His commandments will have the right to the tree of life and will enter into the gates of the Holy City as God’s children and heirs.
Jesus always gives words appropriate to the needs of His children. At the end of Matthew, He promises to be with them to the end—and at the end of Revelation, He says He is coming back quickly. We are, therefore, encouraged by the words Jesus spoke while He lived on earth, and also by the words He spoke to us later through an angel to John.
John aptly closes his last book of the Bible with the words, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” And “even so, come Lord Jesus!”, echoing once again the words and sentiments of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and in Revelation.
