Revelation Chapter 1

God gave these revelations to Jesus first and then he passed it onto John through a ministering angel through visions as God reveals those things that have to come to pass before the return of Jesus. The revelations are for the Church in John’s time plus every generation from that time on until Jesus returns in the air to gather up his Bride to the clouds as they receive their new glorified bodies and meet Jesus in the air, 1Corinthians 15:5-58; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Revelations 1:4-8

The seven churches represent all who are in Christ and He in them from generation to generation. Only through that of Jesus being the final sacrifice for the atonement of sin can we become a royal priesthood joined to him, 1 Peter 2:9. Jesus comes in the clouds and every eye will see him, even those who have rejected him and many will loudly mourn his coming as they have never repented of their sin and now the door of salvation will be closed forever. God is never changing and his word will never come back void, Isaiah 55:11.

Revelation 1:9-11

John was the last Apostle alive of the original twelve Disciples at the time of his writing these letters to the Church. John was with John the Baptist until that time he was called to be part of the twelve Disciples of Jesus. He was called the beloved of Jesus as he left John the Baptist to follow after Jesus. John was the only Disciple that witnessed the crucifixion of Christ as all the other Disciples fled when Jesus was arrested as they were in fear they would be arrested also, Matthew 25:56, but after Jesus ascended to heaven they were all made Apostles of Christ filled with the Holy Spirit that guided them.

John was the Apostle to the Church in Ephesus where he lived and wrote four epistles, John, First, Second and Third John. He was exiled to the isle of Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian for preaching the word of God in the Roman province of Asia where the seven Churches were located. It is said that John was in his nineties when he was exiled and probably released around 97 AD after Domitian died. John was born around 6 AD and died around 100 AD.

John was in the Spirit (being in the Spirit means being in the presence of Gods Spirit that makes the flesh to weak to stand, John 18:6) on the Lords day that was a chosen day of God in his timing and purpose to reveal these revelations to John. He was not literally taken up to heaven, John 3:13, but only in the Spirit.

John first heard a great voice as a trumpet as the voice was very distinct to him like that of hearing a trumpet sound in all its great power and authority. John heard the voice 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.

Ephesus would be the nearest Church to this isle and as supply ships came in someone from the Church would come and take parts of these letters and hide them on their person and take them back to the Church of Ephesus as they were dispersed between all seven Churches.

Revelation 1:12-16

John turns around and sees seven golden candlesticks or as they are called lamp stands in the Old Testament that stood before the altar of the throne. In the center of these candlesticks there is one like unto the Son of man. The voice that John heard at first declared I am Alpha and Omega. John now turns around to see that which was speaking to him was Jesus. He was clothed in a garment down to his feet. The garment represents Gods righteousness that is the robe of our salvation that is found in Jesus who sits at the right hand of the Father judging and making intercession for us before the Father, as Satan stands accusing the brethren before Him, Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 12:10. Jesus is as our Savior redeemer in whom we find our salvation through faith in Him.

The golden girdle around his breast indicates his importance as he wears it high up on his breast just as the Levtical priest wore their Ephod around their breast, Exodus 28:1-38. The golden girdle means we are joined with Jesus in judgment as our names are carved out through faith and Gods righteousness found in us as we are joined together with Jesus as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus that we too will suffer with him that we may be also glorified together, Romans 8:17.

The golden girdle is bound to the breast as it also resembles Gods love for us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:37-39. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for our sin that we may be accepted before him through repentance and confession of faith in him.

Jesus hair was white as wool or snow. This shows his purity and freedom from sin as he lived on this earth a sinless man, Isaiah1:18. Daniel calls him the Ancient of Days sitting on his seat during his vision, Daniel 7:9. His eyes were as a flame of fire as even the darkness of sin can not hide itself from being seen of the Lord. Only God knows the intents of the heart and what drives the heart to evil.

The feet of Jesus are described as fine brass as if they were burned in the fire of a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters. When you put the description of Jesus feet and his voice together this is the great power and authority of God that works through Jesus as he instructs his Church. Fine brass is a refining fire and the sound of many waters is the power of his word.

The seven stars are the seven spirits of God the angels carry to the seven Churches. The spirit of the Lord that rest upon the Church, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear (respect) of the Lord who is the Spirit of truth, Isaiah 11:2 The messages these seven angels carry to the seven Churches are given in a sense of a two edge sword warning as one side of Gods word brings blessings and the other side brings judgment of disobedience.

Revelation 1:17-20

When John saw the full glory of the Lord he fell before His feet and became very still before Him like he was dead. Jesus reached out to touch John and told him not to fear as Jesus confirmed, I am the Alpha and Omega the living Christ. He told John he had the keys of hell and death which means those who sleep in the grave, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, that will be raised up in the first resurrection to meet Jesus in the clouds and have life eternal.

Those of the second resurrection who will be cast into the lake of fire with Satan, the beast and the false prophet on such the second death has no power of life eternal, Revelation 20:6, 11-15. The hidden truth of the seven stars and seven candlesticks are revealed to John as the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks which he saw are the seven churches.

Exodus 28:1-38 (LEB)

Instructions for Making Garments for Priests“And bring near to you Aaron, your brother, and his sons with him from the midst of the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” to serve as priests for me — Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron.Instructions for Making Garments for Priests“And bring near to you Aaron, your brother, and his sons with him from the midst of the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” to serve as priests for me — Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron.2And you will make holy garmentsOr “garments of holiness” for Aaron, your brother, for glory and for splendor.Or “beauty”2And you will make holy garmentsOr “garments of holiness” for Aaron, your brother, for glory and for splendor.Or “beauty”3And you will speak to all the skilled of heart, whom I have given a gift of skill,“a spirit of wisdom” and they will make the garments of Aaron to consecrate him for his serving as my priest.3And you will speak to all the skilled of heart, whom I have given a gift of skill,“a spirit of wisdom” and they will make the garments of Aaron to consecrate him for his serving as my priest.4And these are the garments that they will make: A breast piece and an ephod and a robe and a tunic of specially woven fabric,Precisely what kind of fabric this was is debated a turban and a sash. And they will make holy garmentsOr “garments of holiness” for Aaron your brother, and for his sons to serve as priests for me.4And these are the garments that they will make: A breast piece and an ephod and a robe and a tunic of specially woven fabric,Precisely what kind of fabric this was is debated a turban and a sash. And they will make holy garmentsOr “garments of holiness” for Aaron your brother, and for his sons to serve as priests for me.5“And they will take the gold and the blue and the purple and the crimson yarns and the fine linen,5“And they will take the gold and the blue and the purple and the crimson yarns and the fine linen,6and they will make the ephod of gold, blue and purple, and crimson yarns, and finely twisted linen, the work of a skilled craftsman.6and they will make the ephod of gold, blue and purple, and crimson yarns, and finely twisted linen, the work of a skilled craftsman.7It will have two joining shoulder pieces at its two edges, so that it can be fastened.7It will have two joining shoulder pieces at its two edges, so that it can be fastened.8And the waistband of his ephod, which is on it, will be of like work to it — gold, blue, and purple and crimson yarns and finely twisted linen.8And the waistband of his ephod, which is on it, will be of like work to it — gold, blue, and purple and crimson yarns and finely twisted linen.9“And you will take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the Israelites,“sons/children of Israel”9“And you will take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the Israelites,“sons/children of Israel”10with six of their names on the one stone and the remaining six on the second, according to their genealogies.In other words, “according to their birth order”10with six of their names on the one stone and the remaining six on the second, according to their genealogies.In other words, “according to their birth order”11As the work of a skilled stone craftsman, with seal engravings you will engrave on the two stones the names of the Israelites;“sons/children of Israel” you will make them mounted in gold filigree settings.11As the work of a skilled stone craftsman, with seal engravings you will engrave on the two stones the names of the Israelites;“sons/children of Israel” you will make them mounted in gold filigree settings.12And you will set the two stones on the ephod’s shoulder pieces as stones of remembrance for the Israelites,“sons/children of Israel” and Aaron will bear their names before Adonai on his two shoulder pieces for remembrance.12And you will set the two stones on the ephod’s shoulder pieces as stones of remembrance for the Israelites,“sons/children of Israel” and Aaron will bear their names before Adonai on his two shoulder pieces for remembrance.13“And you will make gold filigree settings.13“And you will make gold filigree settings.14And you will make two braided chains of pure gold ornamental cord work, and you will put the chains of the ornamental cords on the filigree settings.14And you will make two braided chains of pure gold ornamental cord work, and you will put the chains of the ornamental cords on the filigree settings.15And you will make a breast piece of judgment, a work of a skilled craftsman; you will make it like the work of the ephod; you will make it of gold, blue and purple and crimson yarns, and finely twisted linen.15And you will make a breast piece of judgment, a work of a skilled craftsman; you will make it like the work of the ephod; you will make it of gold, blue and purple and crimson yarns, and finely twisted linen.16It will be squared, doubled, a span its length and a span its width.16It will be squared, doubled, a span its length and a span its width.17And you will fill it with stone mounting, four rows of stone, a row of carnelian, topaz, and emerald is the first row;17And you will fill it with stone mounting, four rows of stone, a row of carnelian, topaz, and emerald is the first row;18and the second row is a malachite, a sapphire, and a moonstone;18and the second row is a malachite, a sapphire, and a moonstone;19and the third row is a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;19and the third row is a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;20and the fourth row is a turquoise and an onyx and a jasper. Their settings will be woven with gold.20and the fourth row is a turquoise and an onyx and a jasper. Their settings will be woven with gold.21The stones will be according to the names of the Israelites,“sons/children of Israel” twelve according to their names, with seal engravings, each according to its name they will be for the twelve tribes.21The stones will be according to the names of the Israelites,“sons/children of Israel” twelve according to their names, with seal engravings, each according to its name they will be for the twelve tribes.22“And you will make on the breast piece braided chains, a work of pure gold ornamental cord.22“And you will make on the breast piece braided chains, a work of pure gold ornamental cord.23And you will make on the breast piece two gold rings, and you will put the two rings on the two edges of the breast piece.23And you will make on the breast piece two gold rings, and you will put the two rings on the two edges of the breast piece.24And you will put the two gold ornamental cords on the two rings on the edges of the breast piece.24And you will put the two gold ornamental cords on the two rings on the edges of the breast piece.25And you will put the two ends of the two ornamental cords on the two filigree settings, and you will put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it.25And you will put the two ends of the two ornamental cords on the two filigree settings, and you will put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it.26And you will make two gold rings, and you will place them on the two ends of the breast piece, on its edge that is on the other side“beyond” of the ephod, to the inside.“houseward,” “to house,” meaning “inward”26And you will make two gold rings, and you will place them on the two ends of the breast piece, on its edge that is on the other side“beyond” of the ephod, to the inside.“houseward,” “to house,” meaning “inward”27And you will make two rings and put them on the two shoulder pieces of the ephod below at its front near its seam above the waistband of the ephod.27And you will make two rings and put them on the two shoulder pieces of the ephod below at its front near its seam above the waistband of the ephod.28And they will tie the breast piece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord to be on the waistband of the ephod, and the breast piece will not come loose from the ephod.28And they will tie the breast piece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord to be on the waistband of the ephod, and the breast piece will not come loose from the ephod.29And Aaron will bear the names of the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” in the breast piece of judgment on his heart, when he comes to the sanctuary, for a remembrance before Adonai continually.29And Aaron will bear the names of the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” in the breast piece of judgment on his heart, when he comes to the sanctuary, for a remembrance before Adonai continually.30And you will put the Urim and the Thummim on the breast piece of judgment, and they will be on the heart of Aaron when he comes before Adonai, and Aaron will bear the judgment of the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” on his heart before Adonai continually.30And you will put the Urim and the Thummim on the breast piece of judgment, and they will be on the heart of Aaron when he comes before Adonai, and Aaron will bear the judgment of the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” on his heart before Adonai continually.31“And you will make the robe of the ephod totally of blue yarn.31“And you will make the robe of the ephod totally of blue yarn.32And the opening for his head will be in the middle of it; its opening will have an edge all around, the work of a weaver; it will be like the opening of a sturdy garment for it, so that it will not be torn.32And the opening for his head will be in the middle of it; its opening will have an edge all around, the work of a weaver; it will be like the opening of a sturdy garment for it, so that it will not be torn.33And you will make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and crimson yarns on its hem all around and bells of gold in the midst of them all around,33And you will make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and crimson yarns on its hem all around and bells of gold in the midst of them all around,34a gold bell and a pomegranate, a gold bell and a pomegranate, on the hem of the robe all around.34a gold bell and a pomegranate, a gold bell and a pomegranate, on the hem of the robe all around.35And it will be on Aaron for serving, and its sound will be heard at his coming into the sanctuary before Adonai and at his going out, so that he will not die.35And it will be on Aaron for serving, and its sound will be heard at his coming into the sanctuary before Adonai and at his going out, so that he will not die.36“And you will make a pure gold rosette,Or “medallion” and you will engrave on it with seal engravings: “A holy object for Adonai.”36“And you will make a pure gold rosette,Or “medallion” and you will engrave on it with seal engravings: “A holy object for Adonai.”37And you will place it on a blue cord, and it will be on the turban, at the front of the turban it will be.37And you will place it on a blue cord, and it will be on the turban, at the front of the turban it will be.38And it will be on the forehead of Aaron, and Aaron will bear the guilt of the holy objects that the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” will consecrate for all their holy gifts, and it will be on his forehead continually for acceptance for them before Adonai.38And it will be on the forehead of Aaron, and Aaron will bear the guilt of the holy objects that the Israelites“sons/children of Israel” will consecrate for all their holy gifts, and it will be on his forehead continually for acceptance for them before Adonai.

Isaiah 61:10 (LEB)

I will rejoice greatly in Adonai; my being shall shout in exultation in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns himself with a head wrap like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewelry.10I will rejoice greatly in Adonai; my being shall shout in exultation in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns himself with a head wrap like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewelry.

Isaiah 55:11 (LEB)

so shall be my word that goes out from my mouth. It shall not return to me without success, but shall accomplishOr “do” what I desire and be successful in the thing for which I sent it.11so shall be my word that goes out from my mouth. It shall not return to me without success, but shall accomplishOr “do” what I desire and be successful in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 11:2 (LEB)

And the spirit of Adonai shall rest on him — a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and the fear of Adonai.2And the spirit of Adonai shall rest on him — a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and the fear of Adonai.

Daniel 7:9 (LEB)

“I continued watching“I was watching” until thrones were placed and an Ancient of Days sat; his clothing was like white snow and the hair of his head was like pure wool and his throne was a flameOr “ablaze with” of fire and its wheelsAramaic “wheel” were burning fire.9“I continued watching“I was watching” until thrones were placed and an Ancient of Days sat; his clothing was like white snow and the hair of his head was like pure wool and his throne was a flameOr “ablaze with” of fire and its wheelsAramaic “wheel” were burning fire.

John 18:6 (LEB)

So when he said to them, “I am he,”*Here the predicate nominative is supplied from context in the English translation they drew back“they went to the back” and fell to the ground.6So when he said to them, “I am he,”*Here the predicate nominative is supplied from context in the English translation they drew back“they went to the back” and fell to the ground.

John 3:13 (LEB)

And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.13And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.

Romans 8:37-39 (LEB)

No, but in all these things we prevail completely through the one who loved us.37No, but in all these things we prevail completely through the one who loved us.38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:17 (LEB)

and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer together with him so that we may also be glorified together with him.17and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer together with him so that we may also be glorified together with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (LEB)

The Comfort of the Lord’s ReturnNow we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.13The Comfort of the Lord’s ReturnNow we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him.15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep.15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.18Therefore comfort one another with these words.18Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Peter 2:9 (LEB)

But you are a chosen race,Or “people,” or “generation,” or “nation” a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,9But you are a chosen race,Or “people,” or “generation,” or “nation” a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,

Revelation 1:12-16 (LEB)

And I turned to see the voice which was speaking with me, and when IHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“turned”) which is understood as temporal turned, I saw seven gold lampstands,12And I turned to see the voice which was speaking with me, and when IHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“turned”) which is understood as temporal turned, I saw seven gold lampstands,13and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching to the feet and girded around his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun chest with a golden belt,13and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching to the feet and girded around his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun chest with a golden belt,14and his head and hair were white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame,14and his head and hair were white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame,15and his feet were like fine bronze when it has been fired in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters,15and his feet were like fine bronze when it has been fired in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters,16and he had in his right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth, and his face was like the sun shining in its strength.16and he had in his right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth, and his face was like the sun shining in its strength.

Revelation 1:17-20 (LEB)

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person, and he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person, and he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,18and the one who lives, and I was dead, and behold, I am living forever and ever“for the ages of the ages”, and I hold the keys of death and of Hades.18and the one who lives, and I was dead, and behold, I am living forever and ever“for the ages of the ages”, and I hold the keys of death and of Hades.19Therefore, write the things which you saw, and the things which are, and the things which are about to take place after these things.19Therefore, write the things which you saw, and the things which are, and the things which are about to take place after these things.20As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands — the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.20As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands — the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:9-11 (LEB)

John’s Vision of the Son of ManI, John, your brother and co-sharer in the affliction and kingdom and steadfastness in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.9John’s Vision of the Son of ManI, John, your brother and co-sharer in the affliction and kingdom and steadfastness in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a great sound like a trumpet10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a great sound like a trumpet11saying, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”11saying, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Revelation 1:1-3 (LEB)

PrologueThe revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves the things which must take place in a short time, and communicated it byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sending”) which is understood as means sending it through his angel to his slave John,PrologueThe revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves the things which must take place in a short time, and communicated it byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sending”) which is understood as means sending it through his angel to his slave John,2who testified about the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all that he saw.2who testified about the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all that he saw.3Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed areThe phrase “blessed are” is an understood repetition from the beginning of the verse those who hear the words of the prophecy and observe the things written in it, because the time is near!3Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed areThe phrase “blessed are” is an understood repetition from the beginning of the verse those who hear the words of the prophecy and observe the things written in it, because the time is near!

Revelation 12:10 (LEB)

And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.10And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

Revelation 20:6 (LEB)

Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over this person the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousandSome manuscripts have “for the thousand” years.6Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over this person the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousandSome manuscripts have “for the thousand” years.