What does Revelation 1:1 mean?

Verse 1 identifies the entire book of Revelation as "the revelation of Jesus Christ." The word "revelation" is from the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning "a disclosure" or "an unveiling." The association of this term with John's depiction of the end times is one reason we refer to "end of the world" occurrences using the term apocalypse. Scholars differ on whether the book of Revelation should be thought of as a disclosure about Jesus Christ or a disclosure from Him. Likely, it is both.

God gave the apostle John the book of Revelation to communicate events which will take place suddenly once they begin. He revealed these events to John through an angel. Although the angel is not named, it may have been Gabriel, who carried messages to Daniel, Mary, and Zechariah (Daniel 8:16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:5–19, 26–31).

John is referred to as God's servant in Revelation 1:1. The Greek word translated "servant" means a slave. Just as a slave in ancient times did whatever his master told him to do, so John obeyed whatever God instructed him to do. In this case, God trusted John to communicate the revelation of Jesus Christ. The same Greek word, translated "servant," identifies New Testament figures such as Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; and Jude 1:1).