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A revelation of Jesus Christ1 that The God gave to him2 to show his slaves3 those things that are bound to occur suddenly.4 [Daniel 2:28 LXX] And he showed [this revelation] by signs5 sent through his angel6 to his slave John.
| 1 | A revelation of Jesus Christ: Or, unveiling (Apocalypse) [MON]. The Greek is APOCALYPSIS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #602] and means to un + veil or un + cover. The Book of Revelation – also called the Apocalypse – is a letter from the glorified Master Jesus Christ. The real part of this revelation begins with chapter six when the Lamb begins to open the Little Bible. [Revelation 5:1, 7; 6:1] The revelation then unfolds throughout 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 plagues, ending with the descent of the New Jerusalem and related visions. In Revelation the words of Jesus are in red. |
| 2 | The God gave to him: Or, allowed him [KNX]. The Greek is HO THEOS and is the preferred designation for the Creator who is most often called “The God” in the Christian Bible. The revelation was given to Jesus by The God, his Father. Only the Father has absolute knowledge and the Son must receive from the Father whatever knowledge he possesses. [Compare notes on John 5:19.] |
| 3 | To show his slaves: Or, servants. The word “slaves” generally refers to disciples of the Nazarene. The word occurs also at Revelation 2:20; 6:11; 7:3; 10:7; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6. The Greek is DOULO. In John’s writings it is sometimes difficult to determine who the “his” or “him” is. When it is clear it is God it will be capitalized [Him]. The introductory language is similar to the concluding phrases. [Revelation 22:6] |
| 4 | Things that are bound to occur suddenly: Or, quickly, shortly; quickly take place [BAS]. The Greek for “suddenly” here is TAKHEI and may be rendered several ways. Here it means something that occurs with a suddenness, not something that will happen right away. The whole phrase is the same as that at Daniel 2:28 [LXX]. Whether this is an interpretative paraphrase or just the borrowing of a phrase is left to the reader. The prophetic context of Daniel 2 may refer to those matters which occur near the end of the vision. [See notes on Daniel.] |
| 5 | He showed [this revelation] by signs: The Greek for “signs” is ESEMANEN. Some read this and wish to make every single element of Revelation a symbol and thus read far too much into it. The word “sign[s]” occurs only at Revelation 12:1, 3; 15:1. Though many symbols occur in Revelation, most of these are words borrowed from the Hebrew prophets, often in complete phrases, and thus the interpretation often lays in these allusions. |
| 6 | Sent through his angel: Most of the language in Revelation comes from the mouth of the apostolic Angel of the Apocalypse. The Angel most often speaks for Jesus Christ, but now and then also for the Almighty. This causes some confusion for some in the final verses. In this work when Jesus speaks it will be in red as it is in the Gospels. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
Today we begin to examine the Bible’s last book Revelation which can be titled “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” We choose Revelation 1:1 as the theme verse of chapter one – Happy Readers. The reader of Revelation must remember that it is an inspired epistle from the Risen Master. The words are those of Christ as God gave to him. The beloved apostle John begins by stating the blessed state of the readers of Revelation. [1-3] He makes clear this is a “revelation” [unveiling] of Jesus Christ as The God gave it to him. Revelation is presented in “signs” by Christ’s angel to John. The person who reads aloud and the person who hears such reading is blessed or divinely favored. Blessed also are those who “observe all the things written” in Revelation.
John salutes seven congregations in the Middle East. [4-6] John now introduces “The God” who is called “The One” who is, was, and will be in the future. John mentions “seven pneumas” and Jesus Christ who he describes as the faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of earth’s kings. He is also praised as the one who loves the Saints, having released them from their sins by his own blood. These Saints Christ has made his realm in which they serve as priests.
John speaks something of a praise or prayer. [7] He paraphrases Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10. Then the One who gave the revelation to His Son Christ speaks, likely by means of the Angel mentioned in verse one. [8] God Almighty calls Himself “the Alpha and the Omega” and then paraphrases Exodus 3:14 as “the One who is”. He adds also, “the One who was and the One who is coming.”
John writes regarding his inspiration on the Lord’s Day. [9-11] He writes from prison as he tells of his experience when he heard a great voice. He is told to send the Revelation to seven congregations. Then John describes the Son of Humankind who possessed seven stars. [12-17] He sees Christ walking among seven lampstands. John describes Christ as he saw him, a description unlike most Christians might expect – white hair, eyes of flaming fire, feet of burning copper, a voice like thunderous waters, a mouth with a protruding sword, and a face as bright as the sun.
Touching John the Son tells him not to be frightened but write down the mystery. [17-20] The Son describes himself as first and land, having died but now living, and holding authority over they keys of death and hell. John is to record what has already occurred and what will yet occur in the future. Christ explains that the seven lamps stand for the seven congregations, and the seven stars stand for the seven angels.
Abba our Father bless those who read and obey Revelation.
[15 September 2002]
