Revelation Chapter 1 

Verses 1 to 3 of the highly symbolic Book of Revelation form a preface or introduction, affording a brief insight into the motivation behind the entire work and some of the principal characters associated with it. 

Verse 1: 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, . . . 

The introductory words of this prophecy have unusual force and character. At the very outset God is identified as the author of this book. Although it does say “the Revelation of Jesus Christ,” note the qualifying clause “which God gave unto him.” Jesus’ role is that of the revelator. 

. . . to shew unto his servants things which must shortly [begin to] come to pass; . . . 

The title of this last book of the Bible, “Revelation,” comes from the Greek word apokalupto, signifying an uncovering or revealing. God provided these revelations to enlighten His covenant people on things needful and helpful for them to know. Designed to be gradually revealed and progressively understood by the Lord’s people, the Book of Revelation concerns the earthly experience and pilgrimage of the nominal Church as prophetically seen and portrayed throughout the Gospel Age, a period of almost two thousand years. Prior to his death, Jesus instructed his disciples to both anticipate and be on the alert for information of this very nature pertaining to “things to come” (John 14:16–18; 16:12–15). 

The extent to which Divine Providence in the past has permitted a measure of odium or indifference to attach itself to the investigation of the Book of Revelation has merely served to enhance its value. By covering these truths in symbolic and dark sayings, as well as by permitting contempt or ridicule, God has purposely obscured the subject to all but the class for whom it was intended, thus hindering the worldly-wise from apprehending it (Matt. 11:25). 

. . . and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 

God sent and signified this message (transmitted it in His own secret code language of signs, symbols, and visions to prevent any untimely disclosure of its mysteries) through His angel Jesus, the messenger of the covenant, unto His servant the Apostle John (Mal. 3:1; Heb. 1:1,2; Rev. 5:9; 20:1,2; 22:6,7). 

Verse 2: 

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

Here, again, is a reminder that God is the author of the Book of Revelation, “the word of God.” Jesus, as the revelator, dictated or testified the message to John in an audible manner. John, in turn, acted as recording stenographer and faithfully “bare record” of the message, which he transcribed into writing.

3