Revelation 1:1 and 1:3 in 2008
Over the months that I have been posting reflections on Revelation, there are probably no other verses in Revelation that I cited more often than the first and third verses of the very first chapter. Allow me to make additional observations on these two foundational verses by contrasting translations:
Revelation 1:1
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John . . . ” (The New International Version)
“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” (King James Version
Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (The New International Version)
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (King James Version)
There is irony on at least two levels when contrasting the translations, specifically the sections in italics. The KJV make it clear that the book is a book filled with symbols (“signify” is a word which means “to make known in symbols or signs”. I smiled as I wrote this sentence because I am reminded of one of the visitors to my site who believes that all prophecy is to be interpreted literally. Not so, says John!). Unfortunately, the NIV does not communicate whatsoever what the Greek verb meant (“made it known” is simply incorrect and does not convey the meaning of the word)! The modern translation does not get it right but the 1611 translation does!
On the other hand, the KJV translates a word in v. 3 that is not a symbol as “keep” (which means “obey”) whereas the NIV uses a symbol, “take to heart” to translate a word that is very straightforward. What in the world does “take to heart” mean? I don’t have a clue. (It is interesting that the NIV does get it right in its translation of the same word in 22:7 and 9!) Revelation is a prophetic work in the main sense of the word. Prophecy is not primarily about predicting but it is about presenting God’s Word and Will to people and it carries a call to be obedient.
So why do I yet again stress these two verses as we begin 2008? May we listen to God’s call to obedience in this marvelous symbol-filled book!
Related posts:
It is amazing how many people think that prophecy is only about the future when really only about 12-13% of the time is the word used in that fashion.