For some time I have been entertaining some non-traditional notions about the translation and interpretation of the Bible. Those notions concerning the book of Revelation begin with the first verse.
Rev 1:1 KJG 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 jvb A revelation belonging (1) to Jesus Christ, which God gives to Him to show to His servants (2) those things which must shortly take place. And he makes these things (3) known (4) by sending an angel (5) of His to His servant John.
1 - This revelation belongs to Jesus Christ since "God gives" it "to Him". This is the sense in context of the genitive which is usually translated "of Jesus Christ". Since the "of" precedes "gives" we too often apply the meanings "from Jesus" or "about Jesus" when the specific sense is clear from context. This ownership of this revelation is important for in various degrees the spiritual visions of the book also belong to those who are begotten again in Christ, those who are members of His body, and those who are gathered in His name.
2 - "His servants" I interpret as those who are under the law of Moses. The apostles were also servants in a similar sense since they were prophets under the law of Moses, as was our Lord, and were to be received as such by those under the law. The generality of Christian believers in the apostolic age do not seem to be considered as servants. The generality seems to be regarded as spiritual babes (Heb 5:12-14) looked after through special spiritual manifestations, gifts, and callings (1Co 12:4-7). With the completion of scripture the babes seem to have become weaned (Gal 4:28-30 with Gen 21:8-10) and, as spiritual toddlers, are somewhat capable of serving.
3 - Most translations, like King James above, assume that what is made known to John through an angel is the entire revelation. One respected translator (Greene, I believe, LITV in E-Sword) omits the inserted "it" and properly allows the mind and spirit of the reader to interpret. The context of Revelation and common sense compel me to somewhat improperly make the "things which must shortly take place" the subject of angelic explanation. (More in a later post, Lord willing.)
4 - Thayer assigns the meaning "make known" to the Greek verb as used in this specific verse.
5 - The method of making known those things which must shortly come to pass is by sending an angelic messenger. This seems to refer to the messages delivered by one of the angels who bore the bowls of wrath. Roman imperial succession in Rev 17:9-11 and the spiritual descent of the holy Jerusalem in Rev 21:9-11. The latter is referred to a later time by most. But I find the determining factors to be the lack of a temple and the condition of those unable to enter (Rev 21:22-27).
I2C 131011a Rev 1v1 radical notions / I2C M1310 / 10/10/2013 7:37 PM` 10/11/2013 12:52 PM / Rev 1:1 radical notions
