“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
Note, a careful study of this verse will show John wrote of 4 distinct sources by which the entire text of the Revelation came into being. The 4 sources are (1) God, (2) Jesus Christ, (3) the servants of God, which includes John, and (4) a certain angel.
God’s role in the Revelation is stated first. John wrote, This is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him.” Therefore, God’s role is stated clearly; He “gave it” to Christ (Note: Rev.5:5).
The next person mentioned by John in the compilation of the Revelation is Jesus Christ. John wrote with straight forwardness concerning Christ’s role. He wrote, “God gave (it) unto him (Jesus) to shew unto his servants.”
Therefore, Christ’s role in the Revelation is to “reveal” the Revelation or that of Divine Revelator (Note: Rev.4:1, 1:11-17 & 5:5).
The third source energized in the transmission of the Revelation is the servants of God. John wrote of this source; saying, God gave it to Christ “to shew unto his (God’s) servants things which must shortly come to pass.” In other words, the role of God’s servants is to receive the Revelation, and “to know” the things which must shortly come to pass (Note: Rev.1:3 & 22:10).
The fourth source mentioned is a certain angel. John wrote, “He sent and signified it by, his angel unto his servant John.” Hence, the role of the angel is not that of Divine Revelator; but Christ sent him to signify the Revelation.
Therefore, the Book of Revelation could be subdivided into the following three divisions:
Chapters 1-5
Introduction to the Revelation: THE BOOK
Highlights: Christ receives the Revelation.
Chapters 6-16
The Revelation: THE BOOK IS OPENED.
Highlights: Christ reveals the Revelation.
Chapters 17-22
The Angels Testifies: THE BOOK IS SIGNIFIED.
Highlights: The Angel Signifies the Revelation.