A Vision of the Glorified Christ: Revelation 1 Summary

Revelation 1

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John:

2 Who bore 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 reads, 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 to 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. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he comes 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, says 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 you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the middle of the seven candlesticks one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts 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 to 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 two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.

Revelation 1 is the majestic opening of the final book of the Bible, serving as a direct revelation from Jesus Christ to show His servants important events that will soon take place Revelation 1:1. It introduces the apostle John as the prophetic channel for this message and presents a glorious vision of the risen Christ walking among His churchesCET 240.3+1.

The Source and Purpose of the Revelation

The book begins by identifying Jesus Christ as the source of the revelation, which God gave to Him to share with His servants Revelation 1:1. This divine message was signified by an angel to John, who bore faithful record of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ Revelation 1:2CET 240.3. A special blessing is promised to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the things written in this prophecy because the time for their fulfillment is at hand Revelation 1:3.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

John addresses the seven churches in Asia—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea—with grace and peace from the eternal God and Jesus Christ Revelation 1:4, 11. These literal churches also represent seven distinct periods of the Christian church's history from the days of the apostles until the second coming of ChristARSH March 26, 1861, page 148.1+1. Christ is described as the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth who has washed believers from their sins in His own blood Revelation 1:5. He has made His followers kings and priests unto God Revelation 1:6. The chapter also provides a solemn promise of His second coming in the clouds, where every eye shall see Him Revelation 1:7.

John's Experience on Patmos

While John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos for his faithfulness to the word of God, he was granted this series of holy visionsFE 423.3+1. On the Sabbath day, which he identifies as the "Lord's day," John was in the Spirit and heard a great voice like a trumpet Revelation 1:10AA 581.4+1. This voice belonged to the Alpha and Omega, the Almighty, who commanded John to write what he saw in a book and send it to the churches Revelation 1:8, 111888 779.2.

The Vision of the Glorified Christ

When John turned to see the voice, he beheld a scene of matchless splendor that reflected the glories of the heavenly temple Revelation 1:12GC88 413.3.

• The Candlesticks: Jesus was seen walking in the midst of seven golden candlesticks, representing His constant vigilance and care for His churches Revelation 1:12-13AA 586.1.

• His Appearance: He was clothed in a priestly garment with a golden girdle, His head and hair were white like snow, and His eyes were as a flame of fire Revelation 1:13-14AA 581.4.

• His Voice and Countenance: His voice sounded like many waters, and His countenance shone with the brilliance of the sun in its full strength Revelation 1:15-16AA 581.4.

• The Seven Stars: In His right hand, He held seven stars, which represent the messengers or ministers of the seven churches Revelation 1:16, 20SSP 411.14.

• The Sword: Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, symbolizing the power of His word Revelation 1:16AA 581.4.

Comfort and Commission

Overwhelmed by the glory of Christ, John fell at His feet as if dead, but the Lord laid His right hand on him and said, "Fear not" Revelation 1:171888 779.2. Jesus identified Himself as the First and the Last, the One who lives, was dead, and is now alive forevermore Revelation 1:17-18. He declared that He holds the keys of hell and of death, signifying His total victory over the power of the enemy Revelation 1:18MWV2 29.1. John was then commissioned to write the things he had seen, the things that currently are, and the things that will happen hereafter Revelation 1:19.