Revelation Chapter 1 — The Vision of Jesus Christ
John introduces his revelation from Jesus Christ and describes a powerful vision of the Lord while on the island of Patmos.
1This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ,*“Christ” means “Anointed One”. which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel†or, messenger (here and wherever angel is mentioned) to his servant, John,
2who testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.
3Blessed 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.
4John, 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;
5and 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—
6and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests✡Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6 to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7Behold,‡“Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. 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.
8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,§TR adds “the Beginning and the End”” says the Lord God,*TR omits “God” “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
9I 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.
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
11saying,†TR adds “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies:‡TR adds “which are in Asia” to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands.
13And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man,✡Daniel 7:13 clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.
16He 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.
17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man.
18and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.§or, Hell
19Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.
20The 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*or, messengers (here and wherever angels are mentioned) of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Revelation 1:8
“"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."”
This verse establishes the eternal nature and supreme authority of God at the start of the prophecy.
Revelation 1:17-18
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.”
This passage highlights Christ's victory over death and His role as the eternal ruler of the afterlife.
Chapter Summary
Revelation Chapter 1 serves as the prologue to the entire book, identifying John as the author and the recipient of a divine revelation from Jesus Christ. While in exile on the island of Patmos for the sake of God's Word, John is "in the Spirit" on the Lord's Day when he hears a loud voice like a trumpet. He turns to see seven golden lampstands and, in their midst, a figure described as the Son of Man. This figure is depicted with striking imagery: white hair like snow, eyes like a flame of fire, and a voice like the sound of many waters. The vision identifies Himself as the "Alpha and the Omega" and the "Living One" who holds the keys of Death and Hades. John is commanded to write down what he sees and send the message to seven specific assemblies in Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The chapter concludes by explaining the mystery of the symbols: the seven stars are the angels of the assemblies, and the seven lampstands are the assemblies themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
John was on the island called Patmos. He states he was there because of his commitment to God's Word and his testimony concerning Jesus Christ.
The seven assemblies are located in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
The text explains that the seven stars in Christ's right hand are the angels (or messengers) of the seven assemblies, and the seven golden lampstands are the seven assemblies themselves.
Study Note
The Greek word 'apokalypsis', translated as 'revelation' in verse 1, literally means an 'unveiling' or 'disclosure' of something previously hidden.
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