This paper addresses certain aspects of the opening passage of Revelation which have received little attention in recent years: the central role ascribed to John and the multiple characterisations of his work. These aspects are analysed in the context of the metatextual character of the passage. Moreover, these verses probably were not composed by the author himself, but rather by an editor/redactor who belonged to the Johannine circle, as can be shown through linguistic data and thematic analogies. The editor authorises John's work and thereby the critical view towards the Empire contained in the book itself – an attitude which stands in opposition to the one commonly adopted by Christians at the time.