Hello.

I’ve had a question about the Book of Revelation which has yet received a satisfactory answer and I believe requires the help of a Greek New Testament scholar such as Professor Ehrman…

Is it not clear that Jesus is the angel in Revelation 22 who is denying worship by John?

I made some highlights which show some of the textual evidence which hints at this in both the Greek and the English…

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, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: (Revelation 1:1-4a NRSV)

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “[And] See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. (Revelation 22:6-12 NRSV)

16 “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16 NRSV)

Isn’t it clear that the Book of Revelation says that God sent Jesus (God’s angel) “to show his servants” and that John is Jesus’ angel who “testified” to the churches? Isn’t it also clear in the text that the same figure who is refusing worship claims to be “coming soon,” presumably Jesus himself?

Any help with clarifying my confusion about the language used here would be much appreciated…

Thanks.