By: Junior Tate Ministries The book of Revelation is not a puzzle given to confuse the church. It is not a book designed merely to stir curiosity, provoke fear, or create endless speculation. It is the closing testimony of Scripture, the capstone of God’s written revelation, and the unveiling of Jesus Christ in His glory, His authority, His judgment, and His final victory. The Lord did not give Revelation to hide truth from His people, but to reveal truth to them. He gave it so believers would know that history is not spinning out of control. God has declared the end from the beginning, and what He has spoken will surely come to pass. Many people avoid the book of Revelation because they think it is too mysterious or difficult. Yet the opening words of the book tell us exactly what it is: a revelation. That word itself means an unveiling, a disclosure, an uncovering. Revelation is not given to bury truth under darkness, but to pull back the curtain and let God’s people see what lies ahead. It is a book of warning, comfort, worship, judgment, hope, prophecy, and triumph. It tells us where this world is headed, what Christ will do, how evil will be judged, how the saints will overcome, and how all things will end in the everlasting kingdom of God. To understand the purpose of Revelation, we must begin where the book itself begins—with Jesus Christ. Revelation is not primarily about beasts, seals, trumpets, bowls, or Babylon. Those things matter, but above all else Revelation is about Christ. It reveals Him as the risen Lord walking among His churches, the Lamb who was slain, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Judge of all the earth, the King of kings, and the One who makes all things new. It shows that what God promised throughout the Old Testament and what Jesus foretold in the Gospels will be brought to their appointed conclusion. The purpose of Revelation is therefore deeply pastoral and profoundly theological. God gave it to bless His servants, warn the rebellious, strengthen the persecuted, expose the temporary nature of worldly power, call the church to holiness, and assure believers that Jesus Christ wins. It tells the church that suffering will not last forever, that evil will not reign forever, that Satan will not deceive forever, and that death itself will not endure forever. The Lord revealed the end from the beginning because He wanted His people to live in light of eternity. 1. Revelation was given to reveal Jesus Christ The first purpose of the book is plainly stated in its opening line. Revelation 1:1 (KJV)“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” This verse establishes the foundation for the entire book. Revelation is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” That means it is both revelation from Him and revelation about Him. It comes from Christ, and it unveils Christ. The central theme is not merely future events, but the person and work of the Lord Jesus as He brings all things to their proper end. This matters because many people read Revelation backwards. They focus on symbols but miss the Savior. They study judgments but miss the Judge. They examine the Antichrist but neglect Christ. Yet the very title of the book points us to Jesus. The Lord wants His people to see Him in His exalted majesty. In the Gospels, we see Christ in humiliation—born in Bethlehem, rejected by men, crucified at Calvary. In Revelation, we see Christ in exaltation—glorious, reigning, holy, and triumphant. John saw Him in language that overwhelms the heart. Revelation 1:13–18 (KJV)“And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” What a purpose this serves. The church needed to be reminded that Jesus was not merely the One who died; He is the One who now lives forevermore. He has the keys of hell and death. He walks among His churches. He sees all things. He rules above every empire, every throne, every persecutor, and every force of darkness. Revelation was given so the church would have a proper vision of Christ. A weak view of Christ produces a weak church. But when believers see Christ as He is—holy, sovereign, eternal, victorious—they are strengthened to endure anything. 2. Revelation was given to bless those who read, hear, and keep it Another purpose of Revelation is found immediately in the book’s blessing. Revelation 1:3 (KJV)“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” This verse alone destroys the idea that Revelation is a book to avoid. God attached a blessing to the reading, hearing, and keeping of this prophecy. He did not say, “Blessed is he that ignores it because it is too difficult.” He did not say, “Blessed is he that stays away from it to avoid controversy.” He said, … Read more
