Revelation 1
Revelation 1 is the introduction to Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. It explains the situation in which the apostle John received a revelation from God while on the island of Patmos, and it also makes clear that this message is being delivered to the “seven churches.” At the same time, it emphasizes the introduction of the central figure that runs through the entire book—Jesus Christ—and highlights the promise about His glorious return.
1verseThis is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,
2versewho testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.
3verseBlessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is near.
4verseJohn, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;
5verseand from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood—
6verseand he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7verseBehold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
8verse“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
9verseI John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10verseI was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
11versesaying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12verseI turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands.
13verseAnd among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
14verseHis head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15verseHis feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.
16verseHe had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
17verseWhen I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
18verseand the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.
19verseWrite therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.
20verseThe mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.
The Overall Structure and Flow of the Whole Chapter
- Greetings and Blessings (1:1-3): It declares that this is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and it proclaims that those who read and hear these words are blessed.
- The Recipients and Greetings (1:4-8): It states that it is a letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea), and it praises the majesty of God and Jesus Christ.
- The Vision Experience of the Apostle John (1:9-20): John’s experience of seeing a vision in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day is described, along with the glory and authority of the One “like a son of man” (Jesus Christ) he encountered within it. This shows Jesus’ deep concern for and care toward the churches, as it portrays that this One holds the seven stars (the messengers of the churches) and the golden lampstands (the churches) Himself.
Key Themes and Symbols in Chapter 1
In Revelation 1, various symbolic expressions and important messages appear:
- The Source of the Revelation: It emphasizes that the revelation was conveyed to John through God and Jesus Christ.
- The Seven Churches: At that time, these were actual churches in Asia Minor, but they also represent the churches of all eras.
- The Glorious Jesus: With symbolic appearances such as white clothing, eyes like flames of fire, and a mouth holding a sharp sword, the glory of Christ who will return and the authority to judge are revealed.
- Do Not Fear: To John, who falls down before His majesty, Jesus says, “Do not fear,” giving him the grace and hope of resurrection.
Points to Reflect On
- Think about how you cherish the words you read and hear.
- Reflect on whether you can acknowledge that Jesus is the Lord of every church and trust God’s care and guidance for the church.
- Ask yourself how you are receiving Jesus’ voice to “not fear” amid the fears of life.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In the everyday setting of my life, let’s make a decision to live through each day by trusting that Jesus is with me, watching over my life, and caring for me.
- Practice living by experiencing true blessing through the habit of repeatedly reading and hearing God’s word.
- Let’s look at the church and community through Jesus’ eyes, and develop an attitude of praying for one another and serving each other.
