and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (6) and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.

(7) Behold, He is coming with clouds and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.  And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.  Even so, Amen.

(8) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John, probably in A.D. 95, 96 and at the time John was a prisoner on the island of Patmos because of religious persecution.  There is considerable disagreement on how the Book of Revelation should be interpreted.   It is a book of prophecy involving warning and consolation using symbols and visions which were understood by first century Christians but are obscure to today’s readers.  In times of crisis and religious persecution it was not unusual to use symbolism and imagery when writing to the afflicted. Also, John was very dependent on the Old Testament and the first century audience – the seven churches of  Roman Asia (now modern Turkey)  – would have been familiar with the Old Testament, especially the books of Daniel and Ezekiel, both books of prophesy.

The subject matter of the book of Revelation required imagery and symbolism with it’s glimpses into unseen realities.  The Book of Revelation describes the climatic event in the history of the world as having already happened – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – the slain Lamb of God – as victory over evil.   John expresses that there will be the final unambiguous victory of God at the end of history.