Jesus Christ, God’s provision for righteousness and the hope of mankind

Revelation 1:1 records, “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.” (1769 Authorized Version)

Weymouth gives this, “The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him … “ (1912 Weymouth Translation)

God gave revelation to Jesus Christ, which the Lord then gave to his servants. This is not difficult to grasp once we understand what “revelation” is. The English word revelation has been translated from the Greek word apokalupsis, from which we get the English word apocalypse.

Both English words have the same meaning since they share the same Greek root. Sadly, Hollywood has muddied the meaning. People think these words describe a horrific end of the world catastrophe. This concept has been exacerbated by ill-informed ministers who think they know more than the Bible and others exploiting the simple through sensationalism and fear.

Apokalupsis is formed by “apo,” a primary participle meaning from, of or out of, and “kalupto,” meaning to hide or veil. Apokalupsis literally means to remove the veil or reveal. In the opening verse of Revelation it is used in the sense of a disclosure of events and truths previously unknown. It is always used of events by which things, states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all. It is also translated manifestation or appearing.

This same word is used in Luke 2:32 to describe our Lord, “A light to lighten [apokalupsis] the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (1769 Authorized Version)

The Bible uses this word to describe the revealing of events, people and knowledge.

Romans 16:25 declares regarding knowledge, “Now to him that is of power to stablish (sic) you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation [apokalupsis] of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” (1769 Authorized Version)

Romans 8:19 states regarding people and events, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation [apokalupsis] of the sons of God.” (1769 Authorized Version)

Ephesians 1:17 tells of God’s desire for us to know him, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation [apokalupsis] in the knowledge of him.” (1769 Authorized Version)

The greatest apokalupsis of all is Jesus Christ’s return, when every eye shall see him (Revelation 1:7). This is the hope of all mankind! Jesus Christ is, was and always shall be the only true hope.

From the time of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden to the present, Jesus Christ is the only answer! Consider how swiftly God provided for man’s desperate need for righteousness. He promised a “seed” as recorded in Genesis 3:15. And Galatians 3:16 gives the identity of this seed; “thy seed, which is Christ.”

Scripture refers to the birth and return of Jesus Christ as “his coming” or parousia. This word is used when the person spoken of is personally present, i.e., Jesus Christ here upon Earth.

Our Lord’s birth and coming are also known as the hope of Israel. We look back upon the event of his birth as a promise realized and look forward to his return with joyful anticipation. This is the Christian’s true hope and only possibility for mankind’s deliverance.

His birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension represent God’s answer to man’s need for redemption. Those who rebuff the Lord reject God’s only provision for righteousness even as some of Israel rejected him as Messiah. Those who do this are left with no answer for life beyond the grave. It isn’t the hope of gain the Bible speaks of, it’s the hope of eternity!

The Bible records the demise of numerous individuals who rejected God’s hope (the promised seed, Genesis 3:15) and the need for a blood sacrifice. Thus, beginning with Cain and culminating with Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the Lord’s Christ, men despised God’s provision for righteousness. For men such as that there is no hope.

The same truth applies today. Those who deny the Lord’s return reject the only hope mankind has, and in so doing despise God’s answer to life’s deplorable condition.

Luke 2:14 tells of angels celebrating the first coming, “Glory to God in the highest and upon earth, peace and a good hope to men.” (Aramaic text)

The Christian’s only hope beyond the grave is Christ’s return as declared in I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and elsewhere. Those who deny the second coming differ little from those who denied the first.

We have good hope! Christ is coming back, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Look for more on the subject of end times in future columns.

The Rev. Linus A. Mathis III is the founder and director of Frontier Christian Ministries.