Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and is to come…Jesus is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and ruler of the kings of the earth…He has freed us from our sins…

Look, He is coming with the clouds… (Rev. 1:4-7).

What? Please don’t tell me we’re reading Revelation! Isn’t that the book filled with strange beasts, frightening dragons, and all kinds of inscrutable symbolism? This can help me delight in the Lord?  

Yes, because Revelation isn’t really about beasts and dragons. It’s about Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So, let’s count the ways the book helps us delight in Him.

First, the author John bookends these five verses with a reminder that God “is, was, and is to come” (vs.4,8). Nothing about the fearsome dragons and beasts John describes surprises Him. He’s eternal. He sees all of history and knows how all this turmoil (which is temporary anyway) ends. Spoiler alert: it ends with God reigning eternally, victorious over all evil. 

Second, God gives us His grace and peace (v.4). The prior verse tells us we’re “blessed” if we read Revelation. God knows we’ll need His grace and peace as we read, and He’ll bless us as we do! 

Third, John reminds us Jesus is a “faithful witness” (v.5a). He has fulfilled Old Testament law and prophecies. Jesus’ words speak truth. We can trust Him. 

I’m sensing some delight erupting. Yes, these are promises from Revelation! Let’s count some more…

Next, John reminds us of the hope we have. Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead” (v.5a), implying more to come. Jesus-followers will experience an eternity in heaven with Him.

Frustrated with world politics and rulers? Nothing new there. John reminds his audience - persecuted churches under Roman authority - that God “is ruler of the kings of the earth” (v.5b). God is the One ultimately in charge; no human ruler can thwart His plans or threaten His power. And one day, He will reign eternally; “every knee will bow.” Even when we can't see it, we know Who’s already won.

Sixth, because of His love for us, God “frees us from our sin by Jesus’ blood” (v.5b), releasing us from sin’s guilt and burden. God’s love is steadfast, empowering us to say no to sin.

Seventh, John reminds us we are “a kingdom of priests” (v.6) who serve God and offer worship (the priest part) and also model and extend God’s wise and gracious rule (the kingdom part). What a privilege. 

Finally, John reminds us Jesus is coming back. No humble birth this time, no longer rejected or despised, Jesus will “come with the clouds, and every eye will see Him” (v.7). 

How’s your delight level? What will unfold in coming chapters of Revelation may, in fact, be scary, but John wants us to remember Who is in control, regardless of difficult circumstances. We can, we should DELIGHT in our promise-keeping God, the eternally existing Ruler of the universe, a loving Father whose mercy and grace sent Jesus to save us, a Savior whose every word is trustworthy. All that shows up in just five verses in Revelation! 

We’re ready to face any dragon now.

John is delighting in the Lord! Notice how he even has to stop what he’s writing to praise God: “to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen” (v.6b). Could you stop right now and do the same?