Prologue and Blessing
Study note
The book opens by identifying itself as a revelation from God, given through Jesus Christ to his servant John. A special blessing is pronounced on those who read, hear, and obey this prophecy, establishing it as urgent and authoritative communication meant for the entire church.
1 This book tells about what Jesus Christ revealed. God gave this revelation to Jesus so he could show his followers what is going to happen soon. Jesus sent his angel to pass this message along to his servant John. 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 John faithfully wrote down everything he saw, sharing the word of God and the message from Jesus Christ. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 The person who reads this prophecy out loud is truly blessed, and so is everyone who hears it and pays attention to what it says. The time for all of this is getting close. 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.
Greeting to the Seven Churches
Study note
John greets the seven churches in Asia with grace and peace from the eternal God, the seven Spirits, and Jesus Christ. Christ is described as the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler of kings. The declaration that every eye will see him coming with clouds establishes the book's central theme of Christ's triumphant return.
4 From John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits standing before his throne, 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. He is the faithful witness, the first to come back from the dead, and the ruler over every king on earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his own blood. 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 He has made us into a kingdom of priests who serve God his Father. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming, riding on the clouds. Every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. Every group of people on earth will cry out in sorrow because of him. Yes, it will happen. Amen. 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 the Alpha and the Omega -- the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. He is the one who is, who always was, and who is coming -- the Almighty. 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.
John's Vision of the Glorified Christ
Study note
John, exiled on Patmos for his faith, is caught up in the Spirit on the Lord's day and hears a commanding voice. Turning, he sees the glorified Christ among seven golden lampstands, clothed in priestly and royal clothing with features echoing Daniel's vision of the Ancient of Days. Every detail of his appearance conveys divine authority, purity, and power.
9 I am John, your brother. I share with you in the suffering, the kingdom, and the patient endurance that come with following Jesus. I was on the island of Patmos because I had been sharing God's word and telling about Jesus. 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 On the Lord's day, the Spirit came over me. Behind me, I heard a voice as loud as a trumpet blast. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 The voice said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. Write down what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." 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 I spun around to see who was speaking to me. When I turned, I saw seven lampstands made of gold. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 Standing right in the middle of the lampstands was someone who looked like the Son of Man. He wore a robe that reached all the way to his feet, and a golden band was wrapped across his chest. 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 hair were brilliant white -- white as wool, white as snow. His eyes blazed like flames of fire. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 His feet gleamed like bronze glowing in a furnace. His voice thundered like the roar of a rushing waterfall. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 He held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp sword with two edges came out of his mouth. His face blazed as bright as the sun at full strength. 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.
Christ's Self-Revelation and Commission
Study note
Overwhelmed by the vision, John falls as though dead, but Christ reassures him with a touch and the words 'Don't be afraid.' Jesus identifies himself as the eternal, living one who conquered death and holds its keys. He commissions John to write what he has seen and explains that the seven stars are angels of the churches and the seven lampstands are the churches themselves.
17 The moment I saw him, I dropped to the ground at his feet, as still as a dead man. He reached down, placed his right hand on me, and said, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last." 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 the living one. I died, but look at me now -- I am alive forever and ever! Amen. I hold the keys that unlock death and the grave." 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 down what you have seen, what is happening right now, and what will happen in the future." Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 "This is what the seven stars in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands mean. The seven stars are the angels who watch over the seven churches. And the seven lampstands are the seven churches themselves." 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.