Revelation 1:1

Letters to the Faithful - Revelation 1:1

Berean Standard Bible
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,

King James Bible
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Greek Text:
Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός, δεῖξαι τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει, καὶ ἐσήμανεν ἀποστείλας διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννῃ,

Transliteration:
Apokalypsis Iēsou Christou, hēn edōken autō ho Theos, deixai tois doulois autou ha dei genesthai en tachei, kai esēmanen aposteilas dia tou angelou autou tō doulō autou Iōannē,

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This is the revelation of Jesus Christ
The term "revelation" comes from the Greek word "apokalypsis," meaning an unveiling or disclosure. This book reveals the divine mysteries concerning the end times and the ultimate victory of Christ. It is not merely a revelation about Jesus Christ but also from Him, as He is both the subject and the source. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where Jesus is central to God's redemptive plan (John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:15-20).

which God gave Him
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the revelation. God the Father is the source, and He gives it to Jesus Christ, highlighting the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity. This reflects the biblical theme of divine authority and the transmission of God's will through Jesus (John 5:19-23).

to show His servants
The term "servants" refers to believers, those who are committed to following Christ. This revelation is intended for the church, providing guidance, encouragement, and warning. The concept of servanthood is a recurring theme in Scripture, where believers are called to serve God and others (Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1).

what must soon come to pass
This phrase indicates the imminence of the events described, though "soon" can be understood in the context of God's eternal timeline. The prophetic nature of Revelation is consistent with other biblical 

prophecies that often have both immediate and future fulfillments (Daniel 2:28-29, Matthew 24:34).

He made it known by sending His angel
Angels are frequently used as messengers in Scripture, serving as intermediaries between God and humans (Daniel 9:21-23, Luke 1:26-38). The use of an angel underscores the importance and divine authority of the message being conveyed.

to His servant John
John, the apostle and author of the Gospel of John and the Epistles, is traditionally understood to be the recipient of this revelation. His role as a servant and witness to Christ's ministry provides him with the authority to convey this message to the early church. John's exile on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9) is a testament to his faithfulness amidst persecution, reflecting the broader theme of suffering and perseverance found throughout Revelation.

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the faithful witness who has overcome the world. I greet you, dear brothers and sisters, as one called to proclaim the truth of His Word, in the hope that we might together grow in the knowledge of Him who holds the keys of death and Hades.

Beloved, I write to you concerning that which was given to our brother John, the servant of God, on the isle of Patmos—a revelation not of man’s devising, but of Jesus Christ Himself. As it is written: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John” (Revelation 1:1). Let us ponder this together, for in these words lies a treasure of divine purpose, a beacon of hope, and a call to steadfastness for all who name the name of Christ.

First, consider the source of this revelation: it is of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom the Father has exalted above every name. This is no mere vision of human imagination, nor a riddle born of earthly wisdom, but a gift from the throne of God. The Father, in His infinite love, delivered this unveiling to His Son, that we, His servants, might not walk in darkness but in the light of His coming. O blessed truth! That the God who spoke the worlds into being should stoop to reveal His will to us, sinners redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Let this stir your hearts to worship, for He has not left us as orphans but has spoken through His Word.

Second, mark well the purpose: to show His servants what must soon take place. Some among you, dear friends, may stumble at the word “soon,” saying, “It has been nigh on two millennia, and still the end has not come.” But do not be dismayed, nor let your faith waver. For with the Lord, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. His “soon” is not measured by our frail reckoning, but by His eternal counsel. What He has promised, He will perform; what He has spoken, He will bring to pass. This revelation is given not to satisfy idle curiosity, but to prepare us, to awaken us, to call us to holiness and vigilance. For the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, and blessed is the one found watching.

Third, see the manner of its giving: through His angel to His servant John. Herein is a mystery and a comfort. The Lord, who once walked among us, now reigns in glory, yet He employs messengers—both heavenly and earthly—to make His will known. John, a brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was chosen to bear this witness. So too, beloved, are we called to receive and proclaim what has been handed down. The chain of grace extends from the Father to the Son, to the angel, to John, and now to us. Let us not despise the means by which God speaks, whether through Scripture, the preached Word, or the testimony of His saints.

Now, I exhort you, dear ones, as those who have been justified by faith and sealed by the Spirit: let this revelation be not a cause of division or fear, but of unity and hope. Some among you may seek to unravel every symbol, to chart every woe, and to name the day of His return. Others may shrink from these pages, fearing their strangeness. Yet I say to you all: fix your eyes on the One revealed—Jesus Christ, the faithful and true, who was, and is, and is to come. The book of Revelation is not chiefly about beasts or seals or trumpets, but about Him—His victory, His reign, His promise to make all things new.

Therefore, stand firm in the grace that has been given you. Let the unveiling of Christ stir you to prayer, to love, to good works, as you await the blessed hope of His appearing. For He has said, “Behold, I am coming soon,” and His reward is with Him. May you be found faithful, washed in His blood, and clothed in His righteousness.

I commend you to the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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O Eternal and Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, whose majesty fills the cosmos and whose mercy knows no end, we bow before Your glorious throne, lifting our hearts in humble adoration. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is, who was, and who is to come, and we stand in awe of Your divine purpose revealed through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we meditate on the sacred words of Your revelation, given to Your beloved servant John, we are stirred with reverence and hope, for You have unveiled the mysteries of Your will to Your people, that we might know the things that must soon come to pass.

Father of all grace, we give You thanks for the gift of Your Son’s apocalypse, the unveiling of truth that pierces the darkness of this world. You, in Your infinite wisdom, entrusted this vision to Jesus Christ, Your faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Through Him, You have spoken, not to conceal, but to reveal, that Your servants might be strengthened, Your church edified, and Your kingdom proclaimed. We praise You for Your steadfast love, which seeks to draw all people into the light of Your eternal plan, calling us to readiness and faithfulness in these fleeting days.

O Lord, we beseech You to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us, that our eyes may be opened and our hearts attuned to the message of Your revelation. Grant us, Your humble servants, the courage to receive what You have shown, the wisdom to discern its meaning, and the zeal to live as witnesses to Your coming glory. As You sent Your angel to John, send Your Spirit now to guide us, that we may walk in obedience and proclaim Your truth with boldness. Let us not be swayed by the fleeting temptations of this age, but anchor our souls in the certainty of Your promises, knowing that what You have decreed will come to pass in Your perfect time.

We pray, O God, for all nations and peoples, for those who know You and those who have yet to hear Your name. May the revelation of Jesus Christ resound across the earth, breaking chains of despair, healing wounds of division, and awakening hearts to the hope of Your kingdom. Raise up messengers, like John, who will faithfully declare Your word, undeterred by trial or persecution. Comfort those who suffer for Your name, and strengthen those who falter, that they may stand firm in the assurance of Your victory. Unite Your church, O Lord, that we may be one in purpose, bearing witness to the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever.

Merciful Father, we confess our weaknesses and our wanderings, for we are but dust, prone to stray from Your path. Forgive us for the times we have neglected Your call, ignored Your warnings, or grown weary in our watchfulness. Renew us by Your grace, and kindle within us a fervent longing for the day when Your Son shall return in glory, when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Until that hour, keep us steadfast, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and filled with the joy of Your salvation.

O God, who hastens to fulfill Your word, we entrust ourselves to Your sovereign care. As You have revealed Your purpose through Your Son, reveal Your presence in our lives today. May we live as those who await the fulfillment of all things, with lamps burning brightly and hearts prepared for Your coming. To You, O Father, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.