Theocentric Emphases
It is of the utmost importance in the study of any book of the Bible to be careful not to miss its clear God-centeredness. One writer emphasizes the God-centeredness of this book when he says the following.
It should be noted that in the original no title is given the Book, which begins with the words: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him.” There the first verse announces as its main subject the Revelation, or Appearing, of the Lord at the Second Coming. It is said to be given Him by God. This does not imply that God and Jesus are two separate Persons. It does imply that Jesus, who is the incarnate eternal Word, or Divine Wisdom, is the Immediate Author of Revelation, while the moving Cause, acting by means of the Word, is the Divine Lord, or the Father. This is taught by the Lord Himself in the Gospel of Love: “I can of mine own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge.” John v.30; “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself; but the Father, that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” John xiv.10.[1]
Because of the apocalyptic nature of this final book of the Bible, this principle takes on even greater significance. It is entirely too easy to approach this book in an eccentric, or off-center, manner. The following list identifies several off-center ways in which this book is commonly approached.
1) Centered upon the Second-coming
2) Centered on Israel and Dispensational truth
3) Centered on the Antichrist and the number of the Beast
4) Centered on numerology or symbolism
These are merely a few of the eccentric perspectives often taken to the book of Revelation. Following one of these approaches tends to result in a failure to see the God-centeredness, and especially the Christ-centeredness of this wonderful book.
And, a failure to enter into the Christ-centeredness of this book is a failure to grasp its message at all, since apart from Christ the book holds no true appeal or promise of the consummation of redemption. And apart from Christ there would be no book of Revelation in the New Testament at all, as one writer so clearly points out.
When John beheld the exalted Christ, he “fell at His feet as though dead” (Rev. 1:17). It was purely the grace of the Christ that restored him from death to life: “But He laid His right hand upon me saying, ‘Fear not’” (Rev. 1:17); and it was the gracious Lord of the churches who raised him up from impotence and empowered him for ministry: “Now write what you see” (Rev. 1:19). The word of John is the growing and prevailing word of the Lord.[2]
Among the ways in which the book is clearly Christ-centered are the following.
The first verse and the last verse of the book mention the Lord Jesus Christ by name.
He is spoken of as the Lamb 31 times, and is clearly the Central figure of the book from start to finish.
He is identified many other ways as well, all throughout the book. Among them:
Lion 5:5
Root 5:5
Lamb-Shepherd 7:17
Bridegroom 19:7
Warrior 19:11
King 19:12, 16
Alpha & Omega 22:13
Bright and Morning Star 22:16
This list is not exhaustive. It is intended only to suggest the fullness of the revelation given in this book of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the basis of this full revelation of Christ the following is a suggested prayer for the serious student of the book of Revelation: “Lord, make the Lord Jesus Christ the Alpha and Omega of my life through the study of this wonderful book!”
[1] William C. Dick, The Bible: Its Letter and Spirit (London: J. M. Dent and Sons, Ltd., 1943), 256. [2] Franzmann, pp.247-248.