Revelation 1:2-4 Triple Blessing

Rev Lesson #023

BARE RECORD: John records a threefold revelation of God's word. He bare record of "the word of God," "the testimony of Jesus Christ," and "all things he saw" (a threefold breakdown). In other words, he could "read, hear and see." These are the three fundamental means of communication used throughout history. Once again, God employs them here to express His message to John and all those who would follow.
THE WORD OF GOD: These are not the words of John; they are the words of Almighty God. God commends those who receive His word as the word of God and not the "word of men" (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 7:10). We find God's commendation in Thessalonians and Corinthians pointing out that Paul's writings were the word of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
TESTIMONY OF JESUS: Revelation 19:10 identifies the testimony of Jesus as the "spirit of prophecy." Prophecy can mean telling the future but also preaching or proclaiming the unknown (Matthew 26:68).
Matthew 26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
The spirit of the book of Revelation is to exalt Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). A testimony is not always said but can refer to a declaration of something. Webster's 1828 "Prophecy" definition: "Preaching; public interpretation of scripture; exhortation or instruction."
Proverbs 31:1
We have the testimony of Jesus in several forms. It shows up in the written form of the four gospels; in the inspiration of the scripture; and in the Spirit, which lives within the believer who bears witness to the truth (Romans 8:16). That same spirit of prophecy is manifested through us in our ability to tell the future through what the word of God sa