Revelation 1

Introduction and Salutation

1-2 This is a revelation of Christ, given to John by an angel, for the purpose of revealing things that are about to take place.

3 Happy are those who read it aloud, and those who hear and keep what is written.

4-6 Grace and peace from

1. the one who is eternal
2. the seven spirits
3. Jesus, who is the
1. faithful witness
2. firstborn of the dead
3. ruler of kings of the earth

Glory to him who

1. loves us
2. freed us from sins
3. made us to be a kingdom of priests

7 When he comes with the clouds, everyone – even those who killed him – will see him; earth tribes will wail.

8 God is all – the beginning, the end, who was, is, and will be.

Vision of Christ

9-11 John, on the island of Patmos because of persecution, while “in the spirit” on the Lord’s day, heard a trumpet-like voice telling him to write to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Map of the 7 churches of Revelation.)

12-16 When John turned to look, he saw the glorified Son of Man in the midst of 7 golden lampstands, holding 7 stars, with a sword coming from his mouth and a shining face. Over and over again in the gospels, Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man. (See Matthew 16:13 for one example.)

17-20 John falls down as if dead, but Christ tells him not to fear, for he:

1. is the first and last (In verse 8, the same words refer to the Lord God.)
2. was dead but now lives
3. has the keys of Death and Hades. Hades is the realm of the dead. See Luke 16:23 and Acts 2:27.

“Write what you see, John.” The 7 stars are the churches’ angels, and the 7 lampstands are the 7 churches.