The Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation has always been fascinating to believers. The images that John describes in Revelation are strange and even grotesque and yet full of meaning. The author is the apostle John. He is writing from the island of Patmos where he has been exiled. He is an old man, probably the last living apostle of the original followers of Jesus Christ. John wrote the gospel of John along with 1, 2, 3 John, but only in the book of Revelation does he name himself as the author, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.” Revelation 1:1 – 2.

         The book of Revelation is about Jesus Christ, according to verses one and two. It is the revelation that God the Father gave to His Son, Jesus Christ. It was given to Christ in order to show to His servants. This book of Revelation is for the servants of Christ.

The word “servants” is the Greek word dulos, which is translated as “bond slave.” A bond slave was a slave that had been set free by his master and with his freedom chose to remain a slave to his master. The decision was never to be reversed. The slave would be bound to his master, to serve his master, for the rest of his life.

The concept of the bond slave is found in the Old Testament in Exodus 21:1 – 6. The identity of the bond slave was a pierced ear, according to Exodus 21:6, as well as by his position at the side of the master; standing slightly behind and at the right elbow of the master. At this position he was able to easily hear the desire and the command of his master and quickly carry it out. The dulos was loyal, faithful, totally devoted to his master. He lived for his master because he had been set free by his master but chose to serve him because of his love for the master.

The book of Revelation cannot be understood by anyone other than the dulos of Jesus Christ. One of the reasons people have difficulty understanding the message and meaning of the book of Revelation is that they are still trying to serve two masters. Nothing but confusion will result. Begin this study by giving your heart, soul, and body to Jesus Christ in full and undiluted faithfulness to Him. As you begin to read each verse, pray the vow of devotion, “I belong to You, Lord Jesus, and I will love you and serve you for the rest of my life on earth and throughout all eternity. You are a good, good Master, and I am Your dulos.”