Chapter 1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants --things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. (Revelation 1:1-2)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The word “Revelation” is the translation of a Greek word “Apokalypsis” meaning “a revealing” or “an unveiling” of a reality that previously has not been perceived.

While many Bible scholars label the Book of Revelation as “The Revelation of John,” it is more correctly called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” This is the title which is given right in the very first sentence of the book. It’s more appropriate because Jesus Christ is the central figure of the book – not Apostle John

which God gave Him to show His (Christ’s) servants

The word servants in the original is bondservants. There is a major difference between a hireling (a paid servant) and a bond servant.  A hireling works for wages and will work till the going is good for himself. The moment things get tough for him or his master - he seeks greener pastures. (John 10:12-13)

However, a bondservant is a slave that belongs to his master and as such has no rights. He has to be with his master for life or till one of them dies.

Who are the true bond servants of the Lord?

The Lord has many servants but there are few that are truly bond servants of the Lord. A bond servant is one who has given up all his or her ambitions and have fully surrendered every area of their lives to the will of God. (Read Exodus 21:2-6)

Now you don't have to be a pastor, priest, preacher or even a leader to be a bondservant of the Lord. You just need to be a disciple of the Lord.

If you notice, God gave it to His servants (bondservants). Revelation only belongs to His bondservants - not everyone. I have heard many people say, “I read the bible but I don't understand” I tell you until you truly surrender and become a bondservant of the Lord you will not understand much. I know this may be hard for some to digest but it's true.

who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ

This revelation is the ‘testimony of Jesus Christ’.

Revelation 19: 10 tell us “....For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

True prophecy will always point out to Christ and not just to events. True prophecy will glorify the Lord, bring the fear of the Lord etc. This is crucial especially if you desire to operate in the prophetic.