Revelation 1:1
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The word "revelation" itself points to something previously hidden being unveiled. While we often think of Revelation as primarily about future events, it’s first and foremost the unveiling of Jesus Christ, as He is the one making the revelation known through His angel and John.
This opening verse sets the stage for the entire book, identifying its origin and purpose. It's not just a random collection of visions, but a specific "revelation" from God, passed through Jesus Christ to His followers, revealing future events that are both certain and imminent. This message was then communicated through an angel to the apostle John, who is presented as God's servant and the human recipient of this prophetic unfolding.
Understand the original words
apokalypsis · Greek Noun
An unveiling or disclosure of that which was previously hidden. In a biblical context, it refers specifically to God making known divine truth, especially regarding future events or the nature of Christ.
doulos · Greek Noun
One who serves another, often denoting a bond-servant or slave. In the New Testament, it describes a believer’s total commitment and submission to the lordship of Christ.
Revelation was written during a period of intense suffering and persecution for early Christians, likely under the oppressive Roman Empire, making its message of divine judgment and ultimate victory profoundly relevant to their desperate situation.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The foundational events of Christianity, establishing Jesus as the Christ and Lord, whose future actions and kingdom are the subject of Revelation.
c. AD 60-68— this verse
Traditional Date of John's Exile to Patmos
The Apostle John is traditionally understood to have been exiled to the island of Patmos, likely due to persecution for his faith, where he received the vision of Revelation.
c. AD 64-70
Persecution of Christians under Nero and the Fall of Jerusalem
The early intense persecution of Christians in Rome and the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Romans created immense suffering and upheaval for Jewish and early Christian communities.
c. AD 90-100
John Writes the Book of Revelation
Likely written during the late first century, the book addresses churches facing severe tribulation and the threat of imperial Roman power.
This passage highlights God revealing mysteries to Daniel, similar to how He reveals future events in Revelation, emphasizing that God's ultimate knowledge is being shared.
John 16:13Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will guide believers into all truth and declare to them what is to come, paralleling God giving revelations to Christ to be shown to His servants.
1 Corinthians 1:7This verse speaks of waiting for the revelation of Jesus Christ, linking the concept of 'revelation' to Christ's coming and reinforcing that the book of Revelation is about unveiling future events related to Him.
2 Peter 3:9Peter addresses the idea of God's timing and His 'shortly' coming, showing that the 'shortly' in Revelation is from God's perspective, not necessarily human quickness, and relates to His patience and purposes.
Hebrews 2:2This verse mentions the Law given through angels, showing a pattern of God using angelic messengers to convey His will, which directly relates to Christ sending His angel to John in Revelation 1:1.
barnesRevelation 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:"
The Revelation of Jesus Christ - This is evidently a title or caption of the whole book, and is designed to comprise the substance of the whole; for all that the book contains would be embraced in the general declaration that it is a revelation of Jesus Christ. The word rendered "Revelation"…
jfbRevelation 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:"
CHAPTER 1Re 1:1-20. Title: Source and Object of This Revelation: Blessing on the Reader and Keeper of It, as the Time Is Near: Inscription to the Seven Churches: Apostolic Greeting: Keynote, "Behold He Cometh" (Compare at the close, Re 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): Introductory Vision of t…
The word "revelation" itself points to something previously hidden being unveiled. While we often think of Revelation as primarily about future events, it’s first and foremost the unveiling of Jesus Christ, as He is the one making the revelation known through His angel and John.
This opening verse sets the stage for the entire book, identifying its origin and purpose. It's not just a random collection of visions, but a specific "revelation" from God, passed through Jesus Christ to His followers, revealing future events that are both certain and imminent. This message was then communicated through an angel to the apostle John, who is presented as God's servant and the human recipient of this prophetic unfolding.
This opening verse sets the stage for the entire book, identifying its origin and purpose. It's not just a random collection of visions, but a specific "revelation" from God, passed through Jesus Christ to His followers, revealing future events that are both certain and imminent. This message was then communicated through an angel to the apostle John, who is presented as God's servant and the human recipient of this prophetic unfolding.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Revelation 1:1 is available in the Sola app.
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John," — The word "revelation" itself points to something previously hidden being unveiled. While we often think of Revelation as primarily about future events, it’s first and foremost the unveiling *of Jesus…
