American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
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:
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 3:3
Revelation 1:19
Daniel 9:23
John 3:32
Daniel 9:21
References God
Revelation 22:6
Amos 3:7
References Jesus
Revelation 22:16
Galatians 1:12
Revelation 1:9
2
Who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 19:35
Revelation 1:19
John 12:17
Witness
1 Corinthians 1:6
John 21:24
Acts 26:16
Word
Revelation 12:17
1 John 1:1
Revelation 1:9
Revelation 6:9
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.
Reference
Blessing
Proverbs 8:34
Parallel theme
1 Peter 4:7
Romans 13:11
Revelation 22:12
2 Peter 3:8
Revelation 22:20
Prophecy
Revelation 22:10
Word
Luke 11:28
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;
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 90:2
John 1:1
Hebrews 13:8
Revelation 1:8
James 1:17
Zechariah 4:10
Spirit
Isaiah 11:2
Revelation 4:5
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 3:1
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,
Reference
Blood
Hebrews 9:14
1 Peter 1:19
Faith
Revelation 17:14
Revelation 3:14
Kingdom
Psalm 89:27
Revelation 19:16
Love
1 John 4:10
Parallel theme
Colossians 1:18
References Christ
Acts 26:23
Sin
1 John 1:7
6
And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Reference
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.
Reference
8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 22:13
Isaiah 48:12
Revelation 21:6
Revelation 1:4
Revelation 1:17
References Lord
Isaiah 44:6
Isaiah 43:10
Isaiah 41:4
Revelation 11:17
Revelation 4:8
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.
Reference
📍 Patmos
Kingdom
Acts 14:22
Parallel theme
John 16:33
Philippians 4:14
Revelation 7:14
Romans 8:25
Witness
2 Timothy 1:8
Word
Revelation 3:10
Revelation 1:2
Revelation 13:10
Revelation 12:11
10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Reference
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.
Reference
📍 Locations
12
And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Reference
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.
Reference
14
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Reference
15
And his feet like to fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Reference
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.
Reference
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:
Reference
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.
Reference
19
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Summary of Revelation 1
Revelation 1 introduces Jesus Christ as the central figure of God's final revelation, presenting John as a faithful witness who receives a powerful vision while on Patmos and is commanded to deliver God's message to seven churches in Asia, while Christ appears in overwhelming heavenly glory as the risen Lord who rules over His churches, possesses authority over death and history, will return openly in judgment, and calls His people to remain faithful despite suffering and opposition.
The chapter begins by identifying the book as a revelation from Jesus Christ, ultimately given by God to show His servants what would take place.
John is presented as the faithful witness who records what God has revealed to him.
A blessing is given to those who read, hear, and obey the prophecy, emphasizing that Revelation is not merely intended to satisfy curiosity about future events but to encourage faithful Christian living.
John then addresses seven churches in Asia, wishing them grace and peace from God and from Jesus Christ.
The seven churches become the primary human audience for the opening messages of Revelation.
John describes Jesus using several powerful titles, including the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Christ's death has freed believers from their sins, and He has made them a kingdom and priests who serve God.
The chapter then immediately points toward the future return of Christ.
Jesus will come with the clouds, and His coming will be visible to everyone.
His return will bring both recognition and mourning because humanity will confront the reality of His authority and judgment.
God then declares Himself the Alpha and Omega, emphasizing that He stands at the beginning and the end of history and remains sovereign throughout everything that happens between them.
John next explains his own circumstances.
He shares with other believers in tribulation, God's kingdom, and patient endurance, and he is on the island of Patmos because of his testimony about Jesus.
While there, on the Lord's Day, John experiences a powerful spiritual vision and hears a voice commanding him to write what he sees.
The voice instructs him to send the message to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
John then turns toward the voice and sees seven golden lampstands.
Among them stands a figure resembling the Son of Man.
The description is deliberately majestic, using imagery of a long robe, golden sash, white hair, fiery eyes, bronze-like feet, a powerful voice, seven stars, and a face shining like the sun.
The vision portrays Jesus not as an ordinary human teacher but as the glorified and sovereign Christ.
His white appearance communicates purity and majesty, His fiery eyes suggest penetrating judgment, His powerful voice communicates overwhelming authority, and His shining face represents heavenly glory.
John is so overwhelmed by the vision that he falls at Christ's feet as though dead.
Jesus responds by telling him not to fear.
Christ identifies Himself as the first and the last and declares that although He was dead, He is alive forevermore.
He also possesses the keys of death and the grave, showing that death does not have ultimate authority over Him or those who belong to Him.
Christ then commands John to write what he has seen, what is happening, and what will happen afterward.
This establishes Revelation as a book that combines present circumstances, spiritual realities, and future events.
Finally, Jesus explains two important symbols from the vision.
The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, while the seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches themselves.
This explanation provides readers with an important principle for understanding Revelation: its visions frequently communicate spiritual truths through symbolic images.
The central message of Revelation 1 is that Jesus Christ is the risen and glorified Lord who possesses supreme authority over His churches, death, history, and the rulers of the earth, and although His followers may experience suffering and opposition, they can remain faithful because Christ has conquered death, watches over His people, will return openly in judgment, and holds the entire course of history securely in His hands.
The chapter begins by identifying the book as a revelation from Jesus Christ, ultimately given by God to show His servants what would take place.
John is presented as the faithful witness who records what God has revealed to him.
A blessing is given to those who read, hear, and obey the prophecy, emphasizing that Revelation is not merely intended to satisfy curiosity about future events but to encourage faithful Christian living.
John then addresses seven churches in Asia, wishing them grace and peace from God and from Jesus Christ.
The seven churches become the primary human audience for the opening messages of Revelation.
John describes Jesus using several powerful titles, including the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Christ's death has freed believers from their sins, and He has made them a kingdom and priests who serve God.
The chapter then immediately points toward the future return of Christ.
Jesus will come with the clouds, and His coming will be visible to everyone.
His return will bring both recognition and mourning because humanity will confront the reality of His authority and judgment.
God then declares Himself the Alpha and Omega, emphasizing that He stands at the beginning and the end of history and remains sovereign throughout everything that happens between them.
John next explains his own circumstances.
He shares with other believers in tribulation, God's kingdom, and patient endurance, and he is on the island of Patmos because of his testimony about Jesus.
While there, on the Lord's Day, John experiences a powerful spiritual vision and hears a voice commanding him to write what he sees.
The voice instructs him to send the message to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
John then turns toward the voice and sees seven golden lampstands.
Among them stands a figure resembling the Son of Man.
The description is deliberately majestic, using imagery of a long robe, golden sash, white hair, fiery eyes, bronze-like feet, a powerful voice, seven stars, and a face shining like the sun.
The vision portrays Jesus not as an ordinary human teacher but as the glorified and sovereign Christ.
His white appearance communicates purity and majesty, His fiery eyes suggest penetrating judgment, His powerful voice communicates overwhelming authority, and His shining face represents heavenly glory.
John is so overwhelmed by the vision that he falls at Christ's feet as though dead.
Jesus responds by telling him not to fear.
Christ identifies Himself as the first and the last and declares that although He was dead, He is alive forevermore.
He also possesses the keys of death and the grave, showing that death does not have ultimate authority over Him or those who belong to Him.
Christ then commands John to write what he has seen, what is happening, and what will happen afterward.
This establishes Revelation as a book that combines present circumstances, spiritual realities, and future events.
Finally, Jesus explains two important symbols from the vision.
The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, while the seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches themselves.
This explanation provides readers with an important principle for understanding Revelation: its visions frequently communicate spiritual truths through symbolic images.
The central message of Revelation 1 is that Jesus Christ is the risen and glorified Lord who possesses supreme authority over His churches, death, history, and the rulers of the earth, and although His followers may experience suffering and opposition, they can remain faithful because Christ has conquered death, watches over His people, will return openly in judgment, and holds the entire course of history securely in His hands.