A Study of Revelation (Rev. 1:1) Part 2: The Source, Transmission and Purpose of the Book

In our last post we looked at the title of the book of Revelation. The title of the book is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." The Book of Revelation unveils Christ in all His glory as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Book of Revelation is also the unveiling of future events leading up to Christ's second coming. In this post we will continue to examine Revelation 1:1 by looking at the source and transmission of the Apocalypse.
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The origin or source of this special revelation is from God. As David Aune notes, "God is the ultimate source of revelation, and Christ, the agent of that revelation, transmits it to believers" (Aune, Revelation). Christ's role as the "agent of revelation" is seen throughout the Gospels (See e.g., John 15:15; 1:18; 8:28; 12:49-50; 14:10; 17:8, 14), and is also present here. The transmission of this divine revelation is sourced, first, from the Father (God), who gives the Revelation to Jesus ("which God gave unto him"). Jesus then mediates it to John through His angel ("and he [Jesus] sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John"). John then finally relays the Revelation to the Churches through inscripturation ("Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw" [Rev. 1:2]). Thus, the origin of the contents of the book were delivered to John, from God, through direct angelic mediation.

We also see in verse 1 the purpose and content of the Apocalypse. John declares that God gave this Revelation with the direct purpose to "show" unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. In other words, this revelation was intended to inform the servants of God regarding the events that were "soon to take place." The phrase "things which must shortly come to pass," provides a brief summary of the contents of the revelation. As we dive deeper into the contents contained of the Book, let us approach it with a sense of anticipation and reverence. This is not just a collection of prophecies and visions; it is the revealing of Jesus Christ in His fullness, in His majesty, in His sovereignty, and in His redemptive work. Every word penned in Revelation is an opportunity for us to draw closer to our Savior and to deepen our understanding of His divine plan. In our daily lives, amid challenges, uncertainties, and the noise of the world, let us remember the promise of revelation. God desires to disclose Himself to us, providing the clarity and guidance we seek. As we engage with the Book of Revelation, let us open our hearts to the transformative power of divine truth. May we approach this sacred text with humility, prayerfully seeking to know Christ in new and profound ways. Through this study, may our faith be strengthened, our hope anchored, and our love for the Savior deepened.