Getting Revelation - 1.2

In 1.1 we noted the extreme immenence (nearness) that the writer communicated to his audience concerning events signified in his vision. Next a few more noteable clues which help in unravelling the aim and object of the book:

1:1 - "And He sent and signified [it] by His angel to His servant John".
This word "signify" means "to give signs for" or to symbolize (same word used in Jhn 12:33, 18:32, 21:19). This told his audience (the first century churches in Asia - vs. 4) that the amazing prophetic descriptions they were about to read in this book of prophecy were not to be taken literally -- but they did stand as signs (symbols) for literal events which would come to pass shortly thereafter.

1:4 - "John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,"
It may seem basic, but John's audience was to seven literal churches in 7 literal cities in Asia minor in the first century AD. The Bible was not written to us today in the 21st century - rather it was written for us. Before we can attempt to apply scripture to our own lives today, we must first understand what it meant to its original audience. In this case the original audience was a first century one, and they were being heavily persecuted at the hands of the Jewish leaders and by Rome. This proves vitally important as we proceed, because we will find that Revelation spends most of its time detailing the impending judgments on these two first century oppressors (which gave great comfort to the first century churches).

1:9 - "I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
John was their companion in the tribulation. John and his peers were then experiencing the tribulation Christ had foretold they would suffer just before the end:
Mat. 24:9,34 - "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake... Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."

As we proceed, we will find many striking parallels between the descriptions found throughout the book of Revelation and the descriptions found in Jesus' prophetic Olivet discourse (Mat. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) -- which Jesus plainly promised to take place before that generation (gr: genea, 1074) of wicked Jews had died out (Mat 24:34,Luke 21:32,Mark 13:30).

The next installment (1.3) will be examining verse 7 -- a beautiful and bold prophetic statement which also gives a handful of clues to the true meaning of the whole book!