As I grew up, I heard about end times focusing on earthly events and the Antichrist, not Christ.
My study of Revelation showed it’s about Jesus! Revelation 19:10 says, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
The book begins, “The revelation of Jesus Christ,” not end-time events.
Verse 2 mentions the “testimony of Jesus.”
Verses 5-8: “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Chapters 2 and 3: Jesus speaks to churches.
In 4:8, four creatures “rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” They always praise God. In heaven, drama ends. Unlike end-times videos, these creatures focus on worship. Can we worship God without sensationalism? Colossians 3:2: set affection on things above.
The 24 elders worship, saying, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Chapter 5: “Who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals?” Only Jesus. The chapter is worship: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
Chapter 6: Judgment begins, but it’s about God’s righteous judgment.
Chapter 7: Praise continues, “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” Verses 13-17: Believers serve God day and night; He wipes their tears.
Rev. 11:16-17: Elders worship, “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”
Chapter 15:3-4: “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy.” Verse 8: The temple fills with God’s glory.
Chapter 16:5-7 praises God’s justice.
Chapter 19: “Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God.” Verses 11-16 describe Jesus: “Faithful and True, eyes as a flame of fire, many crowns, clothed in blood-dipped vesture, called The Word of God, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”
Chapter 20: God’s eternal judgment in the lake of fire.
Chapters 21-22: The Bride of Christ unites with Him. Sin and suffering end. Jesus is “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
The book ends: “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Read Revelation for God’s glory and purpose through Jesus.