VERSES 1-3. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly in come to pass; and he signified [this], sending by his angel unto his servant John, who bare witness of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatsoever things he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," signifies, predictions by the Lord concerning the last times of the church: "which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants," signifies, for those who are in truths from good: "things which must shortly come to pass," signifies, which will certainly take place: "and he signified [this], sending by his angel unto his servant John," signifies, which are revealed from heaven to those who are in the good of love.

"Who bare witness of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ," signifies, that it is for those who in heart acknowledge the Divine truth, and the Divine of the Lord in His Human: "whatsoever things he saw," signifies, that their understanding is enlightened.

"Blessed," signifies, those in whom heaven is; "is he that readeth," signifies, that they perceive: "and they that hear the words of the prophecy," signifies, that they live according to the doctrine of heaven: "and keep the things which are written therein," signifies, that they do so from the delight of the love of truth: "for the time is at hand," signifies, that the interior state is such.