Revelation 1:1

Revelations 1:1 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:

Let’s take a look at this verse and attempt to see exactly what God the author is attempting to reveal to us.  First, He says it is a Revelation of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for revelation is apocalypse. Our modern way of thinking about the apocalypse is a disaster, a catastrophe, a total destruction, an Armageddon. Why would a revelation of Jesus Christ bring up such adverse thoughts. The answer is simple.  Satan has purposely manipulated this word into something for which it was never intended. The Greek word apocalypse simply means  an unveiling, uncovering, a revealing. This is referring to a truth, a fact, and/or an occurrence which has been previously hidden from the understanding of man and is now being revealed.

So, what does it mean the revelation of Jesus Christ? Some suggest it is the unveiling of Jesus Christ? Meaning that the reader would see clearly who Jesus Christ is.   While the New Testament has already revealed His deity, humanity, sacrifice, and atonement, this book focuses in on Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are made aware of Him as a coming judge to execute justice on unbelieving mankind. Of course, this book will reveal Christ to those who desire to know Him, but is this what is meant by the phrase “ the revelation of Jesus Christ? The revelation of Jesus Christ could mean a revelation about Jesus Christ or a revelation which Jesus Christ is going to revel.  I hold more to the latter. Notice the verse says which God gave to Him (Jesus) to show to His servants things which must shortly come to pass. Hence, it is not a revelation of Jesus Christ to man, but a revelation given to Jesus Christ to provide to man. Does this mean then that Christ does not know something which now the Father is going to reveal to Him? Maybe.  Some suggest understanding this verse is found when reading  Mark 13:32, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Some propose the Father revealed to the Son the  exact day and time  the saints  would be taken from the earth in the rapture and the Son would now reveal this information to His servants. One faithful writer goes as far to say that, “after His ascension He received the information the disciples were seeking concerning the time of His return and He now reveals it in the Book of Revelations.  I do not believe this the meaning of the revelation the Father has given to Jesus Christ to reveal to His servants

I believe the revelation given to Jesus Christ is described  clearly in  Revelation chapter 5.

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

What can we glean from this passage? There was a book in the Father’s hand sealed with 7 seals. No man in heaven and earth was found worthy to take the book from the Father’s hand, to open the book, or to loosen the seven seals that kept the contents of the book closed.  John wept at this thought. One of the elders told him not weep because  Jesus Christ the Son of God born of the tribe of Judah was found worthy by the Father to open the book.  He took the book from the Father, removed the 7 seals keeping the book closed and revealed the contents to John, His servant what was contained in the sealed scroll.