Revelation Chapter 1 opens with a prologue that lets the reader know that the revelation is from Jesus Christ Himself. He made this known by sending an angel to His servant, John, who had been exiled to the island of Patmos.
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Introducing Revelation
John begins the Book of Revelation by saying those who read it are blessed because the time is near. John was instructed by the angle to write everything that he sees. The letters are addressed to the seven churches of Asia and the book also talks about the glory of Christ and His return. John said that he was in the Spirit when he received this vision.
Discussing Jesus’ Return
Much like the prophesies in Daniel, Revelation Chapter 1 talks about the second coming of Christ. It states that He is the only one to be glorified and because of Him, we live and are kings before the Father. The angel that delivered this message came in peace and grace and spoke about how Jesus died and rose again for the sins of mankind.
As the angel told him, John wrote that Jesus will come down from the clouds cloaked in glory. All people on earth will see Him. This includes those who did not believe Him and those who openly rejected Him.
Jesus’ Appearance to John
John was on the island called Patmos when he heard a loud trumpet and a voice telling him to write letters to the seven churches, namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. After this, he turned around and saw seven lamp stands with the Son of Man.
He who approached John was dressed in a white robe and gold girdle. His eyes were ablaze and His voice was like running water. He held seven stars in His hand and told John that those stars represented the seven angels who guarded the churches. The lamp stands behind Him represented the seven churches. John wrote everything he saw so that he could relay the message.
Revelation 1 (King James Version)
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:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 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.
4 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;
5 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,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 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.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 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.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 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.
17 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:
18 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.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 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.