ISB ~ Revelation 1 v1

gave him:In classic apocalyptic fashion, the revealed message comes from God through the mediation of heavenly beings, in this case through Jesus Christ and his angel (1:12-20; 22:16).

must soon take place:A note of immediacy rings throughout the book, especially in the opening (1:3) and closing chapters (22:6-7, 10, 12, 20). The initial fulfillment of the book was thus expected within the lifetime of its first-century readers.

• The expression alludes to the Greek version of Dan 2:28, where Nebuchadnezzar sees in a dream “what will be” in the latter days of the Messiah.

The implication:what was still far off in Daniel’s day is on the verge of fulfillment in John’s day.

John:Probably the Apostle John, a son of Zebedee (Mk 3:17).

See introduction to Revelation:Author.