The term translated as servants
in this verse is the Greek word for slaves. A slave, of course, is someone’s property. God’s slaves are those whom Christ Jesus ransomed from Satan’s bondage through his atoning work on the cross (Romans 6:17–18). These same people the Lord adopted to be his children and heirs (see Romans 8:15–17). These people experience the suffering that characterizes this broken world after Jesus’ ascension, and therefore need encouragement.
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,