The Revelation originates with God and is given to Jesus Christ, before being transmitted through his angel to his servant John, and then to all God’s servants, with the purpose of showing them “what must take place soon” (cf. 4,1; 22,6). Though often denied, the main purpose of this Revelation is the disclosure of future events. The affirmation that these events must happen—that they are both certain and necessary—implies that they follow a predetermined divine plan for human history. This plan, or ‘mystery’, is found also in some inter-testamental writings, especially those which relate their origin to the ‘heavenly tablets’, or Scroll of Destiny, revealed through a chosen human being at the appropriate time (cf. 1Enoch 81:1-3; 47:3; 106:19, 107:1; Jubilees 32:20-22; n. 6). The fact that the events will happen soon links them with the impending second coming, or Parousia, of Christ (cf. 1,7; 3,11; 22,7.12.20). Christ communicates his revelation of “what must take place soon” through his angel, the angel of the Lord, who will be described in the introductory vision (1,9-20). By means of this angel, the risen Christ speaks as if in person, through ‘the Spirit’ (cf. 2,7.11.17.29; 3,6.13.22; 14,13; 22,17). The Spirit’s mediation in this way fulfils the role of the promised Spirit of Truth, or Paraclete, in declaring the “things that are coming” (Jn 16,12-15). Although we refer to the author simply as John, as in the text, we understand that he is indeed St. John the Apostle, Evangelist and beloved disciple (see n. 9).