Revelation 1 Explained: The Introduction to the Book and the Vision of Jesus
- Kareem Flowers
- 22 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Revelation 1: Structure and Focus
Revelation Chapter 1 can be divided into two main sections:
The Introduction to the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:1–8)
John’s First Vision: An Encounter with the Glorified Jesus (Revelation 1:9–20)
The Introduction to the Book of Revelation
(Revelation 1:1–8)
The first eight verses of the Book of Revelation provide essential context for why the book was written. This introduction prepares the reader for everything that follows by establishing the source, purpose, and authority of the revelation.
Revelation 1:1 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.
The book begins by informing us that it is based on a revelation concerning Jesus Christ, which God gave to Jesus. This revelation was then communicated to the Apostle John through an angel, and through John’s writing, delivered to the Church.
From the outset, the text makes clear that this revelation is not of human origin, but divine in source and intent, and that it concerns things which must shortly come to pass.
The Timing of the Revelation
Interestingly, the revelation described as “things which must shortly come to pass” does not begin to unfold immediately. Instead, it is not until Revelation Chapter 4 that these future events begin to be revealed.
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
However, since the majority of the book—Revelation Chapters 4 through 22—is dedicated to future events, the introduction moves quickly to prepare the reader for the substance of the book.
John’s Record (Revelation 1:2)
Having received the revelation, John faithfully documented it for our benefit.
Revelation 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
He recorded the following:
The Word of God — the things God revealed during this divine visitation
The Testimony of Jesus Christ — the truth concerning Jesus that He Himself revealed
The Things He Saw — everything John personally witnessed
John sent this record to the seven churches in Asia Minor, but by extension, it has now been made available to the entire world.
The Blessing of Reading the Revelation (Revelation 1:3)
Revelation 1:3 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.
Because the things John recorded were once a mystery, God now declares a blessing upon those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy. In the fullness of time, God has determined that the mysteries concerning the end are to be revealed.
It is a blessing to read the Book of Revelation because it:
Prepares you for what is to come in the end
Provides the wisdom necessary to preserve your own soul and help spare others
Marks you as one whom God has entrusted with the knowledge of His sacred Word
The Greeting to the Seven Churches (Revelation 1:4)
Revelation 1:4 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.
As noted earlier, the Book of Revelation was written to the seven churches in Asia Minor, yet it was ultimately intended for the entire Body of Christ.
Here, John greets the churches in a unique manner. He prays grace and peace from “him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” Verse 8 identifies who this is:
Revelation 1:8 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.
The Seven Spirits Before the Throne
John also prays grace from “the seven Spirits which are before his throne.” When encountering symbols or concepts that may seem unclear, Scripture itself provides the interpretation - either within the immediate context or elsewhere in the Word.
The seven Spirits of God are identified in the book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 11:2-3 - 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Based on this Scripture, the seven Spirits of God are:
The Spirit of Wisdom
The Spirit of Understanding
The Spirit of Counsel
The Spirit of Might
The Spirit of Knowledge
The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord
The Spirit of Quick Understanding (Discernment)
These are not seven separate spirits, but seven attributes of the one Spirit of God.
See once more "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him…"
The Glory and Authority of Jesus Christ
(Revelation 1:5–6)
Revelation 1:5–6 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, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Here, John gives glory to Jesus Christ by identifying Him through several divine titles:
Faithful Witness — Jesus is always faithful to reveal what He has heard from the Father (John 15:26; John 16:13).
First Begotten of the Dead — Jesus is the first to be brought alive from the dead by the indwelling Spirit of God. Those who belong to Him follow after as sons of God, sharing in resurrection life.
Prince of the Kings of the Earth — the word prince signifies ruler or chief. Jesus is declared to be the supreme ruler over all earthly kings.
Now, this same glory that Jesus has received, He has given to the Church. Having loved us and paid the debt of our sins, and through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, believers have the promise to rule with Christ as kings and priests over the earth during the millennial reign of Christ when He returns.
The Coming of Christ
(Revelation 1:7)
Revelation 1:7 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.
Here, John speaks of the rapture, the moment when Christ appears in the sky and the saints are caught up to meet Him in the air, not on land (earth). This event is distinct from His return to the earth, when He comes in glory to rule and reign. Christ’s appearing in the heavens serves as a sign of the nearness of His return (Matthew 24:3; Matthew 24:30).
When the Church is caught up to be with Him, the wrath of God will be poured out upon the earth. Upon Christ's return to the earth, He does not come on a cloud, but on a white horse, prepared for war.
It is important to emphasize that there will be no secret rapture. Every living person will witness this event. It will be glorious and devastating. Many will wail and cry out for mercy, but at that point it will be too late. This will be a moment of great joy and peace for those who are of God and have run the race with patience and walked in obedience, as they are caught up to be with the Lord.
The Eternal Nature of Christ
(Revelation 1:8)
Revelation 1:8 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.
Here, Jesus declares His timeless nature, firmly establishing Himself as God. The One who died in weakness now reigns in glory and power. This declaration reminds the reader that the source of this revelation is not man, but the Almighty God Himself.
These are not merely the words of men, but of a fearsome and all-powerful God.
John’s Vision
(Revelation 1:9–10)
Revelation 1:9–10 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. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.
John provides context for his vision. He had been exiled to the Isle of Patmos because of the Word of God and his testimony of Jesus Christ. While there, he was taken in the Spirit to the Lord’s Day, a term referring to the time surrounding Christ’s return and when God’s judgments are poured out and Christ is revealed in great glory.
While in this vision, John heard a voice behind him that sounded like a trumpet.
The Voice Identified
(Revelation 1:11)
Revelation 1:11 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…
The voice John heard is identified as Jesus Christ, the same One who declared Himself Alpha and Omega in verse 8. Jesus instructs John to write everything he is about to see and send it to the seven churches of Asia Minor.
John Sees the Glorified Christ
(Revelation 1:12–16)
When John turned, he saw:
Seven golden candlesticks
The glorified appearance of Jesus Christ
Seven stars in Jesus' right hand
Christ’s appearance as described by His white hair, eyes of fire, feet of brass, voice like many waters, and countenance shining like the sun, actually reveals His purity, authority, judgment, and glory.
John’s Response and Christ’s Assurance
(Revelation 1:17–18)
Revelation 1:17–18 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: 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.
Overwhelmed by the vision, John fell at Christ’s feet as dead. Jesus reassured him, declaring that He is the One who was dead and is now alive forevermore. Through His resurrection, Jesus obtained the keys of hell and death.
Death and hell are places in the underworld (Revelation 20:14). At Christ’s resurrection, others were also raised. They were those who had been held in death until the price for sin was paid (Matthew 27:50-53, John 5:25). Having the keys, Jesus released them, and they now dwell as the spirits of just men made perfect, seated in heavenly places (Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 12:23).
At the Great White Throne Judgment, Jesus will again use these keys, emptying death and hell by resurrecting the wicked dead to stand before judgment (Revelation 20:13).
The Meaning of the Vision
(Revelation 1:19–20)
These verses summarize and interpret what John has seen and prepare the reader for the chapters that follow. Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 document the things which are: the seven churches, their pastors, and their spiritual conditions.
Blog Title: Revelation 1 Explained: The Introduction to the Book and the Vision of Jesus
Keyword: Revelation 1 Explained