1:2a–b

who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ: The Greek words are literally “who testifies to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ(,) whatever he saw.” The phrase “everything he saw” explains the phrase “This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” In other words, both phrases refer to the messages, visions, and prophecies in this book. For example:

who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
John testified about what he saw: God’s word and the testimony about Jesus Christ. (God’s Word)
-or-
who has told everything he has seen. It is the word of God; it is the message from Jesus Christ. (New Century Version)

1:2a

who testifies: This clause tells the reader more about John (1:1c). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there were other people named John who received this message and only this John testifies. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about John. For example:

John testifies
-or-

⌊and⌋ I testify

testifies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testifies means “to tell/report what one saw, heard, or knows.” The word is often used when the person speaking is expected to be truthful and accurate. Other ways to translate this word are:

faithfully reported (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
told…about (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
has borne witness (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Greek grammar is usually translated with the English past tense. Many English versions use the past tense here, as in the New Living Translation (2004) example above. But since John will tell his readers the revelation after this, the Berean Standard Bible uses the present tense. The present tense in English here refers generally to what he wrote in this book. Use the tense that is natural in your language. For example:

is testifying
-or-
testified

everything he saw: John implies everything that he heard as well. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that. If that is true in your language, include the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

everything he saw ⌊and heard⌋

1:2b

This is: In the Greek the phrase “everything he saw” explains the phrase “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The Berean Standard Bible adds the words This is to indicate the connection between the two phrases. See the note on 1:2a–b for other ways to translate the connection between these phrases.

the word of God: The phrase the word of God here indicates that the word was from God. It is not one word but a message. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the message from God (Good News Translation)
-or-
this word from/of God
-or-
the true words of God
-or-
the things that God said ⌊to me⌋

the testimony of Jesus Christ: The word of here allows two meanings: the testimony that Jesus Christ spoke, and the testimony about Jesus.

The first meaning refers to what he said in chapters 2 and 3, his words in 22:7 to obey the words of this book, and in 22:16 he said that this book was a testimony that he sent to the churches.

The second meaning refers to what this book says about Jesus, for example 1:10–18 and 19:11–16.

Both meanings are true here. In many languages the word of allows both meanings. If that is true in your language, use of here. But some languages must choose one meaning or the other. If that is true in your language, translate the first meaning. Some ways to translate this phrase with that meaning are:

the truth revealed by Jesus Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
the message from Jesus Christ (New Century Version)

testimony: The word testimony means “the words spoken about what one knows.” It implies that the spoken words are truthful and accurate. Other ways to translate this word are:

witness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
true message

General Comment on 1:2a–b

In the Greek, the phrase “to everything he saw” occurs at the end of the verse. In some languages it is more natural to follow this order. For example:

John testifies to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, namely, everything he saw ⌊and heard⌋ .
-or-
who testifies to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. With/By this talk, he means everything he saw ⌊and heard⌋ .

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