Revelation1

Revelation 1 introduces the divine revelation given to John on Patmos concerning future events, emphasizing a blessing for those who read and keep its prophecy. John addresses the seven churches in Asia, conveying grace and peace from God, the seven Spirits, and Jesus Christ, who is described as the faithful witness and ruler. He then experiences a powerful vision of "one like unto the Son of man" amidst seven golden candlesticks. This majestic figure identifies himself as the living Christ, the Alpha and Omega, holding the keys of death and hell, and commissions John to write what he has seen.
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ

1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: ​
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Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
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Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. ​

Greeting to the Seven Churches

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John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; ​
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And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, ​
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And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. ​
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I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. ​

John's Vision on Patmos

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I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. ​
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I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, ​
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Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Vision of the Glorified Son of Man

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And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; ​
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And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. ​
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His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; ​
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And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
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And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. ​
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And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
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I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. ​
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Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; ​
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The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. ​

Study Notes for Revelation 1

Verse 1

The title emphasizes that the book is primarily a 'revelation' (apokalypsis) of Jesus Christ, given to him by God the Father. The phrase 'shortly come to pass' emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of God's sovereign plan.

Verse 3

This is the first of seven beatitudes in Revelation. It encourages active engagement—reading, hearing, and obeying the prophetic message—because the fulfillment of the prophecy is imminent ('the time is at hand').

Verse 4

The 'seven churches in Asia' (the Roman province of Asia Minor) represent the complete church throughout history. The greeting comes from the Trinitarian Godhead: the Father ('who is...'), the Holy Spirit ('seven Spirits'), and Jesus Christ.

Verse 5

Christ is defined by three titles: 'faithful witness' (His testimony is true), 'first begotten of the dead' (His resurrection guarantees ours), and 'prince of the kings of the earth' (He holds ultimate authority over all earthly rulers).

Verse 7

This verse blends prophecies from Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10, describing the glorious, visible Second Coming (the Parousia). Those who rejected or 'pierced' Christ will recognize Him as Judge.

Verse 8

This self-designation by the Lord God ('Alpha and Omega,' the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) asserts divine timelessness and sovereignty, identifying God as the origin and goal of all things.

Verse 9

John identifies himself not as an Apostle but as a fellow sufferer, placing himself alongside his readers. Patmos was a rugged, isolated island used by Rome as a penal colony, confirming John's exile was 'for the word of God.'

Verse 10

'In the Spirit' indicates an ecstatic, divinely inspired state necessary for receiving prophetic visions. 'The Lord's day' (Kyriake Hemera) most likely refers to Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection and the early church's primary day of worship.

Verse 12

The 'seven golden candlesticks' (lampstands) are later identified in v. 20 as the seven churches, symbolizing their role as light-bearers in the darkness.

Verse 13

Christ is described using imagery drawn from Daniel 7 and 10, emphasizing His divine authority and priestly status. The 'garment down to the foot' suggests high priestly attire (Exodus 28:4).

Verse 14

White hair symbolizes ancient wisdom, purity, and eternal existence, echoing the 'Ancient of Days' in Daniel 7:9. The eyes of fire symbolize penetrating judgment and omniscience.

Verse 16

The 'seven stars' represent the angels/messengers of the churches (v. 20). The 'sharp twoedged sword' proceeding from His mouth symbolizes the powerful, judging word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

Verse 18

This is a powerful statement of Christ's victory over death. Having died and risen, He now possesses the authority ('keys') over Hades (the realm of the dead) and physical death itself.

Verse 19

This verse provides the structural outline for the entire book: 'the things which thou hast seen' (Ch. 1), 'the things which are' (Ch. 2-3), and 'the things which shall be hereafter' (Ch. 4-22).

Verse 20

This interpretation is crucial for understanding the immediate context of the letters. The seven stars (angels/messengers) likely represent the human leadership or spiritual character of the seven churches (the lampstands).

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