I never would have thought the Lord’s prayer could be found so prominently in the book of Revelation. The points of connection seem unmistakable. From what I’ve seen, it also begins to reveal much about how God’s Kingdom works.

But, don’t take my word for it. Join me as we explore the Lord’s prayer, side by side with three passages from the beginning, three passages from the middle, and one passage from the end of the book of Revelation.

A Kingdom Given

Early in the book of Revelation, Jesus is described as the Faithful Witness. This passage has three clear points of connection to the Lord’s prayer. Let’s compare the words of Matthew 6:9-13 with Revelation 1:5-7.

Come

The first clear point of connection lie in the description of Jesus, where the Revelation says, “Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come.” It connects to the words we pray, “thy Kingdom come.”

The revelation says Jesus’ Kingdom comes with grace and peace. It also says three things about Christ himself. Jesus is. Jesus was. And Jesus is to come. Other revelations (1:18 and 2:8) help fill in the meaning:

• Jesus is alive.
• Jesus was dead.
• Jesus is to come.

To me, this means the book of Revelation is a present fact, a historical fact, and a future fact. If the Lord’s prayer works hand in hand, it suggests that the Kingdom which comes is also a present fact, historical fact, and future fact.

Washed

The second clear point of connection is our petition for forgiveness. Jesus, who comes with grace and peace, loves us and washed us from our sins by his blood.

It seems obvious to me this took place on the cross. Here Jesus passed through death and into a new life. A new kingdom. He did this because he loves us.

His

The third clear point of connection is at the end:

• Prayer: “For yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
• Revelation, “To him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

It’s quite clear the Kingdom is his. The power is his. And, the glory is his. Sealed with the word, ‘Amen.’

With these three points in common, it appears to me the Lord’s prayer and this revelation truly work hand in hand. I believe the connections get even deeper.

Living Breathing Words

Other parts of this String (these passages, in parallel) also appear to also connect, but in a different way.

There’s a principle in the design of the bible I’ve come to think of as “mirrors.” This means, one place in the design appears to reflect (or mirror) another place in the design. Let’s look at three mirrors which connect these two passages.

Mirror #1: Spirit of Forgiveness

The prayer asks for forgiveness, to Jesus, who washed us from our sins because he loves us.

The mirror is in the opposite position. It says, “thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The mirror tells us two things. First, his will to forgive us, and to wash us from our sins. And second, his will is to offer us his Spirit (of which there are seven).

Mirror #2: The Coming Kingdom

The Lord’s prayer says, “thy Kingdom come,” which works hand in hand with Jesus who is and who was and who is to come.

The mirror is opposite down below. It says, “He has made us to be a Kingdom. This would seem to be a present fact, a historical fact, and a future fact.

It also reveals what it means to be “made a kingdom.” Jesus delivers us from the evil one. To me, these two passages describe a kingdom transfer, from the kingdom of death to the kingdom of life.

Mirror #3: The Gift

The third mirror is more stretched out. The String begins with John writing to the seven assemblies. The name “John,” means, “God has graciously given.”

Its mirror is in the prayer, “Give us today our daily bread.” To me, this suggests something like, “give us a taste, this day, of your kingdom.

It also connects to the end with the words, “for yours is the Kingdom, power and glory forever Amen.’ It’s the same Kingdom he gives to us, as daily bread. It’s the same Kingdom he has made us to be.

I believe that’s why John writes to the seven assemblies — the seven churches of revelation. We are the churches. We are the kingdom, given to Christ.

With the Clouds

The story of Christ’s Kingdom does not end here. It begins again with the next passage in the book of Revelation. Click the right arrow, or “With the Clouds” link below, and let’s see what else may be revealed.