The answer is: John

Rev 1 vs 1

The book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, opens with a powerful declaration: it is a revelation from Jesus Christ, delivered to John. This John is often identified as John of Patmos. Interestingly, when we consider the context, we see that John had a front-row seat to many extraordinary events in the early Christian community.

In Revelation 1:1, we learn that this message was intended to unveil the future, speaking truth to power during a time when Christians faced persecution under the Roman Empire. The Greek word "apokalypsis," from which we get the term “apocalypse,” means to unveil or disclose. So, John’s role isn't just to receive these visions but to convey critical messages to the churches.

What's more enthralling about John's revelations is their layering of symbolic imagery, drawing on prophetic literature from the Hebrew Scriptures, such as Ezekiel and Isaiah. You might say this work becomes a bridge, allowing us to traverse the combined landscapes of past prophecies and the future's anticipatory tension.

Revelation is also steeped in the echoes of ancient practices and literature—within its pages, readers can find reflections of Jewish apocalyptic expectations, Roman cultural critiques, and early Christian hope. In its complexity, the text illustrates not only God’s sovereignty amidst struggles but also the transformative power of faith, giving its early audience—and readers today—a message of resilience and hope in chaos.