JMA Missions Mid-Month March 2026
The Great Commission in the New Testament
The Mighty Book of Revelation, part 1
When I started this series of looking for the Great Commission in each book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation is actually the one I wanted to get to! At the time, I was doing an inductive study on this book for a class at BLLC, and I was surprised at how many references there are to the Great Commission. There are so many, in fact, we are going to do a series of mid-month posts on it!
Before we begin, let me give a brief reminder of the inductive method. There are three main parts: what does it say, what does it mean, and how can I apply that to my life? The Book of Revelation is particularly interesting because it is three types of literature at the same time. It is a prophecy (ch1:3), it is an epistle (letters to churches in ch2-3), and the third style it uses is apocalyptic (hyperbole, over-the-top grandiose symbolism). Some parts can be taken at face value, while others are symbolic, and should be interpreted accordingly.
Revelation ch1 — The King of the Commission
Before anything happens in Revelation, John sees Jesus as He really is, and in His full authority. In fact, the first word in the text is 'apokalypsis', an unveiling, a revealing, disclosure. Today, we use the word apocalypse in reference to a disaster of some sort, but it does not mean that at all. The word is correctly translated, 'revelation'.
That is at the heart of the purpose of the Great Commission. To make Him known. It is what Jesus said to Saul on the road to Damascus, Acts 26:17b-18a, "to whom I now send you, 18to open their eyes..."
In the Great Commission in Matthew, Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me…” (Matthew 28:18), and "upon this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18. The 'rock' in that passage is referring to the revelation of Who Jesus is (v17), "Flesh and blood has not revealed (apokaluptō) this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven."
The Book of Revelation begins by unveiling the resurrected, glorified Son of God!
v12, John said, "I turned to see the voice that spoke with me..."
v13-16, He was 13clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band, 14His head and His hair were white like wool..., 15His feet were like fine brass....His voice was as the sound of many waters...., 16His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength".
John's response, 17And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead"...
This is a normal response from anyone who has had a revelation of Who Jesus really is!
In Revelation ch1, we find out Who "all authority in heaven and on earth" belongs to:
v8, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End...."
v11, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last...."
v18, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."
A prerequisite we find for being commissioned to either the nations or the churches in Revelation ch1 and Acts 26, is to have actually had a personal revelation of Who Jesus is. Many people in these days have had a revelation of religion, or even worse, extensive training in religion and the presentation of religious ideas. Too many of us know about Him, but we don't know Him!!
Revelation 1:13, "and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band." If the lampstands represent the churches (v20), then we must recognize that Jesus is at the center, not a religion.
The Great Commission in Revelation begins with the unveiling of the Eternal King, in the full resurrected majesty of His person, and that He reveals Himself personally and openly to individuals as He did with John. Next month, we'll explore part 2, but the question for today is do you know Him?
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