28. Curtis Stigers and the Forest Rangers - "John the Revelator"


"John the Revelator" is a traditional gospel blues call and response song. Music critic Thomas Ward describes it as "one of the most powerful songs in all of pre-war acoustic music ... [which] has been hugely influential to blues performers". American gospel-blues musician Blind Willie Johnson recorded "John the Revelator" in 1930 and subsequently a variety of artists have recorded their renditions of the song, often with variations in the verses and music. Curtis Stigers and the Forest Rangers brought it to the fore again in the Album "Songs of Anarchy" Which has the music from the first four seasons of highly successful TV series "Sons of Anarchy"

The song's title refers to John of Patmos (or traditionally John the Apostle) in his role as the author of the Book of Revelation. A portion of that book focuses on the opening of seven seals and the resulting apocalyptic events. In its various versions, the song quotes several passages from the Bible in the tradition of American spirituals. John also wrote a gospel and 3 other letters (Epistles) John was the only of the apostles from the early church left that had not been martyred. It is thought that John wrote his works (John's Gospel, 1,2,3 John and Revelation) in his 90's making him the last rose of the New Testament.

Well who's that a writing John The Revelator
Who's that a writing John The Revelator
Who's that a writing John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.

Tell me what's John a writing Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.

Now who art worthy, crucified and holy
Bound up for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judea's Lion
He redeemed us, Jesus bought us with
his blood

Now tell me who's that a writing John The Revelator
Who's that a writing John The Revelator
Who's that a writing John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.

Well what's John a writing Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.

Well Moses to Moses, Watching the flock
Saw the bush where they had to stop
God told Moses pull off your shoes
Out of the flock, a well a you I choose

Now tell me who's that a writing John The Revelator
Who's that a writing John The Revelator
Who's that a writing John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.

Well what's John a writing Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.


The complete works of John was written for a specific purpose. When you read all of John's works you come to the conclusion that John in his old age was seeing the departure of churches from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Each of the books of John follow a common theme. Churches have departed from Jesus in favour of other other inciting doctrines. All of John's works include encouragement to rediscover who Jesus really is and scathing warnings about rejecting or abandoning faith in  Jesus Christ. When you read John's works you cannot avoid the passion and urgency that John writes with. John writes so long after the resurrection but with a freshness that is compelling. In In all of John's work you find themes of departure or abandonment.

John's gospel we find John giving a reason for writing his gospel. 
John 20:31 "but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
John is keen in his gospel through 9 images and 9 signs to show who Jesus really was and is. He is keen that all of God's people understand the real Jesus and do not depart from the truth that is found in Jesus.
1 John 1:1- 4 " That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete"
John is concerned that the readers of 1 John are on the right pathway both on who Jesus is and how to live the christian life. the 1st Pastoral Epistle is full of themes that encourage the church to keep on having faith and continuing in the true gospel.
2 John 1:8-11 "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,  for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works."
In John's Second Pastoral Epistle John is concerned that the elect lady (Another hidden way of describing the church) keeps in the teachings of Christ. John is concerned that the church "Watch" take seriously the call to be faithful to Jesus.
3 John: 1- 4 "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.  For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
 In the 3rd Pastoral Epistle John directs his care toward Gaius, a beloved brother. a brother who is continuing in the truth that is found in Jesus.  "Walking in the truth" words that are spelled out to Gaius.

In the book revelation we have John addressing the seven churches. Some have seen the book of revelation as loves letters to the seven churches. In this book John has a vision and an urgent word from Jesus to his church. When you read the messages to the seven churches, John speaks the words of Jesus to them in such a way that he clearly presents concerns about abandonment of the truth that is in Jesus and departure from he Salvation. In revelation we have such a high view of Jesus in his glory, so much so we can see what John is driving at. All the seven churches seem to be in trouble 5 have already departed the faith in Jesus. Two are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. One Church in Ephesus has the most scathing accusation of it's treachery.
Revelation 2:1- 7 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lamp stands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.  Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
John the "Revelator" has such an enormous contribution to give to the life of the church not only in his old age, or in his day. John can boast of a contribution that still speaks and challenges today. John leave behind in his writing a great legacy that we can all benefit from.


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