Revelation 1:1-3

Jesus, the Author

We have already observed that Revelation means an uncovering or a laying bare. Particularly, this is Jesus' Revelation, but as John has done so often before (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 7:16; John 8:29; John 12:44; John 12:49; John 14:24; John 17:8; John 17:20-23), he stresses that it is a message from the Father and given through the Son. There must have been great comfort in the thought that the victory set forth within the coming pages would "shortly come to pass." This vision was delivered by heavenly messenger to John, who simply identifies himself as the Lord's slave. Once, he had wanted more for himself (Mark 10:35-40), but now he had seen the Lord submit and serve others (1 Peter 2:5-8; Matthew 20:20-28) and was following his lead.

The angel merely reported God's word, as it had been revealed to him, and the things he had seen. He immediately pronounced a blessing on those who would read and hear, in the sense of yielding to, the words of this prophecy. This is the first of the blessings, or beatitudes, pronounced in this book (Revelation 1:1-3; see also Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:14). This blessing is for all those who will hear and do the things the book says to do (James 1:22-25). Combining this with the blessing of 22:7, one can have no doubt that John intended for the message to be understood and obeyed.