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Revelation 1

World English Bible

WEB

1This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel 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 to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7Behold, 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,” says the Lord 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, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: 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, 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. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 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. 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 of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 1 serves as the introduction to the entire book, establishing the context and purpose of the visions that follow. The chapter begins with a declaration that this is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show His servants what must soon take place. This emphasizes the urgency and divine origin of the message, as it is meant to prepare the church for the events that are to unfold. The chapter highlights the importance of prophecy, stating that those who read, hear, and take to heart the words of this prophecy are blessed (#blessing). The opening greeting to the seven churches in Asia Minor underscores the relevance of the message to the early Christian community, reminding them of God's grace and peace through Jesus Christ (#churches).

The chapter also introduces the majestic vision of the glorified Christ. John, the author, describes his encounter with the risen Lord, who appears in a powerful and awe-inspiring manner, with imagery that conveys His authority and divinity. Jesus is depicted as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, affirming His eternal nature and sovereignty over all creation (#AlphaAndOmega). The chapter concludes with a call for John to write down what he sees and send it to the seven churches, setting the stage for the prophetic messages that will follow. This chapter not only establishes the authority of the message but also invites believers to remain faithful and vigilant in anticipation of Christ's return.

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 25:31v12Exodus 25:31 describes the golden lampstand in the tabernacle. Revelation 1:12-13 depicts Jesus standing among seven golden lampstands, symbolizing His presence among the churches.
  2. Isaiah 41:4v8Isaiah 41:4 declares God as the one who calls generations from the beginning, paralleling Revelation 1:8 where God is described as the Alpha and Omega, emphasizing His eternal nature.
  3. Isaiah 44:6v8Isaiah 44:6 declares God as the first and the last, a title also used by Jesus in Revelation 1:8, emphasizing the eternal nature and sovereignty of God.
  4. Isaiah 48:12v8Isaiah 48:12 declares God as the first and the last, a title also used by Jesus in Revelation 1:8, emphasizing His eternal nature and divinity.
  5. Ezekiel 1:26-28v12Ezekiel 1:26-28 describes a figure resembling a man on a throne, surrounded by a rainbow, similar to the vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:12-16.
  6. Ezekiel 43:2v15Ezekiel 43:2 describes the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east, with a voice like the roar of rushing waters. Revelation 1:15 uses similar imagery to describe the voice of Jesus, indicating His divine authority and glory.
  7. Daniel 7:9v14Daniel 7:9 describes the Ancient of Days with clothing white as snow and hair like pure wool, a description that parallels the vision of Christ in Revelation 1:14, emphasizing His purity and eternal nature.
  8. Daniel 10:5-6v13Daniel 10:5-6 describes a man clothed in linen with a belt of fine gold, whose appearance is similar to the vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-15, emphasizing the majesty and divine nature of the heavenly messenger.
  9. Matthew 24:27v7Matthew 24:27 describes the coming of the Son of Man as visible and unmistakable, similar to Revelation 1:7 which speaks of every eye seeing Him.
  10. Mark 13:26v7Mark 13:26 and Revelation 1:7 both describe the coming of the Son of Man with clouds, a vivid image of Christ's return in glory and power.
  11. Colossians 1:18v5Colossians 1:18 refers to Christ as the head of the body, the church, and the firstborn from the dead, which is paralleled in Revelation 1:5 where Jesus is called the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

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