What is it About?

The Prologue - Revelation 1:1-3

Verse 1

The Author - God - the Father

Do we know any other way that Jesus operated?

John 5:19, 8:28, 12:49.

Related verses.

John 3:34, 7:16, 14:10, 17:8.

He was prophesied to have these given to him.

Isaiah 50:4. (Messianic Foreshadowing)

How was it transmitted?

From God

To Christ

To an Angel

To John

To the Seven Churches.

Subject - Christ

Most Bible translations render Revelation 1:1 as “The Revelation *of* Jesus Christ” because the underlying Greek phrase, *apokalypsis Iēsou Christou*, uses a genitive construction that can mean either “of” or “from,” and translators typically interpret it as both possessive and revelatory—Jesus is both the subject and source.

Here’s a deeper look at why this translation varies and what’s at stake:

Greek Grammar: The Genitive Dilemma

The phrase in Greek is:

Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (*Apokalypsis Iēsou Christou*)

This genitive construction can be interpreted in two main ways:

Subjective Genitive**: Jesus is the *source* of the revelation—hence, “Revelation *from* Jesus Christ.”

Objective Genitive**: Jesus is the *content* or focus—hence, “Revelation *of* Jesus Christ.”

Greek doesn’t always distinguish clearly between these two, so translators must decide based on context.

Contextual Clues in Revelation 1:1

The full verse says:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants…”

This suggests a **chain of transmission**:

- God → Jesus → angel → John → the churches

So Jesus is both the **recipient** of the revelation from God and the **mediator** who passes it on. That’s why some translations (like the *NIV* and *NLT*) opt for “from Jesus Christ”—emphasizing His role as the transmitter.

However, most translations (KJV, ESV, NASB, CSB, etc.) retain “of Jesus Christ” to preserve the dual meaning: the revelation is *about* Him and *through* Him.

Translation Philosophy

- **Formal equivalence (word-for-word)** translations tend to preserve “of Jesus Christ” to stay close to the Greek structure.

- **Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought)** translations may choose “from Jesus Christ” to clarify the flow of revelation.

Why It Matters Theologically

- “*Of* Jesus Christ” emphasizes His **centrality**—the book reveals His glory, judgment, and return.

- “*From* Jesus Christ” highlights His **authority**—He is the divine messenger entrusted with God’s final word.

In truth, both are valid and complementary. The ambiguity in Greek may be intentional, inviting readers to see Jesus as both the **revealed One** and the **Revealer**.

My Point

Christ is not just the recipient and mediator who passes on the message.

Christ is the Subject of the Message!

The Revelation is revealing, unveiling, uncovering to mortal eyes the Awesome, Glorious Nature of the Risen Savior!

To show Christ in the Glory the Glory he shared with the Father in eternity past (John 17:5).

To show us the Glory he now possesses through his obedience and victory (Ephesians 1:20-21, Philippians 2:8-9, Hebrews 2:9, 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 5:12).

To show us the Eternally Conquering King, who rules right now, who’s Kingdom began at his Coming and who Kingdom will never end!!

This is what the book of Revelation is about.

What it is not

It is not...

About the Pope, or Adolf Hitler, or Napoleon, Saddam Hussein or any other Historical figure. (Joel Beeke)

Beeke says: “Written to satisfy the hunger of the human mind for knowledge of future events. Many Christians use the book of Revelation as a kind of horoscope to predict the future. They might as well read the stars. The Bible is not a horoscope; it is a Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is to be understood rationally, spiritually and practically - not superstitiously or speculatively.”

In fact trying to use the book of Revelation as some horoscope is actually prohibited in the scriptures. Deuteronomy 18:9–14

Does Revelation speak to the future? Does it speak to historical events? Yes, but if you think that is the books primary function, you will miss the Revelation about Christ in all the imagery and speculation of the future. You will miss the victorious Christ ruling and reigning right now! You will miss the Revelation of the one who holds all things together by the word of his power right now. You will miss the present and powerful Savior now speculating on seeing him later.

This book is primarily focused of Jesus Christ and His further revelation of Himself to the Church. (Joel Beeke)

In fact Jesus says in Acts 1:7 “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”

We should not use scripture as a divining rod or Ouija board or horoscope, this sort of bibliomancy must be avoided at all cost.

Verse 2

Here John is telling you that he is indeed baring witness to the truth and this book is his testimony to the word of God.

Not only that John also beheld the Lord upon the earth in life, in friendship, in ministry. He saw the miracles and heard the sermons and wrote several other letters including a Gospel which bares his name.

John’s testimony is true and reliable. (John 21:24 “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.” )

Verse 3

The Commendation - John commends this book to us that we should read it, hear it and keep what is written in it.

Early in the life of the church many could not read, and it was the duty of the minister to give attention to reading and expositing the scriptures. 1 Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” Hence the blessing to those who read and those who hear. This means blessing to the faithful minister who reads and the the attentive church who listens and hears.

This is the first of seven blessings or beatitudes in the book of Revelation: Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14.

We are called not to just read or hear, but to keep or observe what is written in this book. This book is not to get you to stimulate thought or speculation, but to move you to action, to observation and to obedience.

We must be doers of the word and not merely hearers.

James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:”

Luke 11:28 “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

This is where we start the book of Revelation, seeking read, hear and keep those things that we read.

Application

### 1️⃣ **Honor the Chain of Revelation by Trusting the Word’s Authority**

- *Application*: Recognize that Revelation is not speculative fiction or mystical code—it is a divine message passed from the Father to the Son, through an angel to John, and finally to the Church.

- *Challenge*: Submit to the authority of Scripture as a sacred trust, not a playground for personal interpretation.

- *Practice*: Approach the Word with reverence, knowing it carries the weight of heaven’s voice.

### 2️⃣ **Fix Your Eyes on Christ—Not on Speculation**

- *Application*: Let the book of Revelation lift your gaze to the risen, reigning, and returning Christ—not to historical figures, political theories, or end-times charts.

- *Challenge*: Resist the temptation to treat Revelation like a horoscope or conspiracy manual.

- *Practice*: When reading Revelation, ask: “What does this reveal about Jesus?” before asking, “What does this say about the future?”

### 3️⃣ **Respond with Obedience—Not Just Curiosity**

- *Application*: Revelation begins with a blessing for those who *read*, *hear*, and *keep* its words. This is a call to action, not just attention.

- *Challenge*: Don’t be content with theological insight—seek spiritual transformation.

- *Practice*: Let every reading of Revelation stir you to worship, holiness, and readiness. Be a doer of the Word, not a hearer only.