Though there is much that can be said about Revelation chapter one I’m not wanting to examine it all in depth. However I would like to point out two things that strike me regarding what John says about Jesus.
The first is that he is “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1:5, NKJV). Notice that these are what Christ is now, what He was when John was writing, now what He will be. In particular note that Jesus is the “ruler over the kings of the earth.” Knowing this should be a great encouragement, especially to those under persecution. Remember, Domitian was the Roman emperor at that time and was persecuting Christians until his death. Yet, at that time, Christ was the ruler over Domitian.
The think that John says about Jesus which I would like to mention is that found in Revelation 1:7. Christ “is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him” I cannot think of any more public way to return than in the sky, but regardless, every eye will see Him. This is inescapable. John explicitly mentions that those that pierced Christ will see Him, but since that most likely occurred over 50 years ago, most of them were probably dead even by that time. Christ still has not yet returned and those that killed Christ are now certainly dead. Again, seeing Christ coming is inescapable. Whoever is ruling the nations when Christ returns will see Him, as it is inescapable. When He comes publicly in the sight of all He will demonstrate His rule over the the kings of the earth.
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David V