Prophecy · Chapter 1 of 22

Revelation 1

The book opens as the revelation of Jesus Christ, given to show his servants what must soon come, blessing all who read and keep it. John greets the seven churches with grace from the eternal God, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ, the faithful witness who freed us by his blood. Exiled on Patmos, John sees the glorified Son of man among golden lampstands and falls as dead.

What happens in Revelation 1

John identifies his book as the revelation of Jesus Christ, communicated through an angel, and pronounces a blessing on those who read, hear, and keep its words, for the time is near. He greets the seven churches with grace and peace from the One who is and was and is to come, from the seven Spirits before the throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, ruler of earth's kings, who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and made us kings and priests.

He announces that Christ will come with clouds, seen by all, even those who pierced him. Exiled to Patmos for the word of God, John is in the Spirit on the Lord's day when a trumpet voice commands him to write. Turning, he sees one like the Son of man among seven golden lampstands, blazing in glory, and falls as though dead. Christ lays his right hand on him, saying, Fear not.

Revelation 1 in context

Revelation, written by John from exile on the island of Patmos to seven real churches in Roman Asia, unveils Jesus Christ in glory and God's triumph over evil. Chapter one is the book's grand overture, presenting the risen Christ not as the humble Galilean but as the glorified Lord walking among his churches, holding their stars, and reassuring his trembling servant with the promise that he holds the keys of death.

Main themes of Revelation 1

Revelation 1 (KJV)

1The 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: 2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3Blessed 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. 4John 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; 5And 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, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7Behold, 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. 8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 9I 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. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11Saying, 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. 12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13And 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. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16And 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. 17And 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: 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20The 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.

Verses to carry from Revelation 1

“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.”Revelation 1:8

“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:”Revelation 1:17

“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.”Revelation 1:18

Reflection

John knew Jesus intimately in life, yet fell as dead before his glory. Let this chapter enlarge your picture of the One you follow: not only the gentle friend but the risen Lord who holds the keys of death. Whatever you fear today, remember his first word to the fallen: Fear not.

A prayer from Revelation 1