11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Now [verse 11] John identifies the Source of this great voice. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, once again claiming to be everything that is true of God.[1] Having established His ‘pedigree,’ so to speak, the Lord then commands John to write in a book what he sees[2] and send it to “the seven churches in Asia.” This is Asia Minor, essentially the nation of Turkey in today’s world.
All of this comprises John’s commission to write this book, and identifies that it is for all churches. In chapters two and three we shall see the Lord’s distinct personal messages to each of these specific local assemblies at that time in the Roman world. But first, we must be brought to a far better understanding of this One that is appointing John to write and send this book.
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How does this portion of the Truth given by God in the book of The Revelation help me to better see and understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ?
What have learned about Jesus Christ from these verses?
The leading element of the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ in these verses, for me, is that He is the almighty God, and that He is concerned, first and foremost, that His churches receive this full revelation of Who He really is. It will, after all, be through these assemblies that the Truth about Him will be declared with authority throughout the world.
This Revelation of Christ must be the foundation of all that we preach and teach until He comes!
[1] See comments on verse 8, above. [2] Everything we have now in this book of the Revelation.