A Study of Revelation (Rev. 1:1) Part 1: The Title of the Book

Introduction:

More than twenty centuries ago, John, a prisoner exiled to the Isle of Patmos, received his visions of "the things that must soon take place" (Rev. 1:1). It was upon being overwhelmed by the glorious and majestic presence of the one who is called "the first and the last" (Rev. 1:17), the "living one"(Rev. 1:18), the one who holds the "keys of death and hades"(Rev 1:18), that John fell "as though dead"(Rev. 1:17) at the feet of his Savior. After laying his right hand upon John, Jesus commanded John to "Write...the things that you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place after this"(Rev. 1:19). Thus, John begins his Book of the visions on the Isle of Patmos with the words, Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"(Rev. 1:1). The Forward (Rev. 1:1-3) supplies the reader with the following topics: (1) The title of the Apocalypse ("The Revelation of Jesus Christ"); (2) The source or origin of the Apocalypse ("which God gave"); (3) The purpose and content of the Apocalypse ("to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass"); (4) The certainty of the Apocalypse ("which must shortly come to pass"); (5) The timing of the Apocalypse (things which must shortly come to pass"); (6) The way in which the Apocalypse was mediated ("signified"); (7) The prophetic role of John in the Apocalypse ("his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ"); (8) The first of seven beatitudes in the Apocalypse ("Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein"); And finally, (9) the immanent nature of the Apocalypse ("for the time is at hand").​ In this post we will look at the first of these topics: The Title of the Apocalypse. 

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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:
​[Rev 1:1 KJV] 

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The Title of the Apocalypse ("The Revelation of Jesus Christ"):

There are two ways in which the phrase Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (The Revelation of Jesus Christ) may be understood. First, some see the expression as a subjective genitive or a "genitive of source." As a genitive of source, the Revelation is "from Jesus." The immediate context and chain of command seems to suggest this interpretation (see, The Source and Transmission of the Apocalypse below). However, it is equally valid that the Book of Revelation uniquely reveals Christ. Thus, secondly, the phrase may also be understood as an "objective genitive" (The revelation about Jesus). This may be seen in the fact that Jesus is revealed throughout the Book of Revelation as the reigning Messiah by various themes and motifs, many of which are echoes and allusions of the Old Testament Messianic figure (See e.g., Rev. 1:9; 12:17; 14:12; 17:6; 20:4; 6:9; 12:17; 19:10). It is important to note that the phrase Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (The Revelation of Jesus Christ) reveals the Divine Title of the book. This "Revelation" should not be titled "The Revelation of Saint John," but rather, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." 

The word translated "Revelation" in Revelation 1:1, is the Greek word ​Ἀποκάλυψις "apocalypse." Contrary to popular opinion, the word does not mean "the end of the world."  According to BDAG, the word signifies something being "fully known," a "revelation," or a "disclosure." Thus, the word can speak of revealing (1) the truth ( Luke 2:32; Rom. 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:6,26; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 1:17), (2) revelations of a particular kind, through visions, etc. (Gal. 1:12; Rev 1:1; 2 Cor. 12:1; Gal 2:2), (3) revelations of secrets previously hidden (Eph. 3:3. Cp. 1 Cor. 2:4; 14:6, 26; 2 Cor. 12:7), and (4) the disclosure of secrets belonging to the last days (1 Pet. 1:7, 13; cp. 1 Cor 1:7; 2 Thes. 1:7; Rom. 8:19; 2:5). NT scholar Grant Osborne notes, that this word in the NT carries with it a "strong religious and eschatological force" (Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002], 53). Thus, here in Revelation 1:1, the word insinuates that the visions of the Book of Revelation reveal or unveil hidden truths concerning the imminent future.

Overall, this book is a prophecy given to John concerning near events. Four times in Revelation chapter 22 (the last chapter of the book) the Revelation itself is called "prophecy" (Rev. 22:6, 10, 18, 19). This prophecy "unveils" the things that "must soon take place" (Rev. 1:1, 3). The appointed period is said to be "near," and the things being prophesied to John are being unveiled for God's servants. Like, the OT prophets John is letting his readers know that this prophecy is of Divine origin. This Revelation thus falls under the scope of 2 Peter 1:21, which states, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:21). John, "in the Spirit on the Lord's day"(Rev. 1:10), speaks or "writes" (Rev. 1:11, 19) this Revelation as he is "moved" or carried along by the Spirit. Ultimately, this unveiling, is the reality that God in His Sovereign control is reigning over the affairs of human history. Though intense persecution threatens the Church, the Church is gaining victory and will be vindicated when Christ returns with His glorious Bride, to defeat the enemy and dwell with His people. The overarching theme is Jesus' Reign as the Sovereign "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD of LORDS" (Rev. 19:16). If we miss this "revelation," that is, the glorious unveiling and revealing of Christ the victorious KING, we miss the "Revelation" altogether!

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Footnotes

• [1]Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 53.
• [2] Ibid.
• ​[3] Ibid., 52.