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.
Read it in contextIntroduction and Vision of the Son of Man
Start reading at Revelation 1:1 (Revelation 1:1 to Revelation 1:20).
This passage introduces the author, the purpose of the book, and the initial vision of Jesus Christ, setting the stage for the entire Revelation.
1:1The 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:
1:2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
1:3Blessed 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.
1:4John 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;
1:5And 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,
1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1:7Behold, 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.
1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
1:9I 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.
1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
1:11Saying, 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.
1:12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
1:13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
1:14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
1:15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
1:16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
1:17And 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:
1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
1:19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
1:20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
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Who
Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 1:1–1:20): John addresses seven churches in Asia and recounts receiving the revelation on Patmos. The risen Jesus commissions him to write what he sees. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? John, while exiled on Patmos for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ, receives a revelation from Jesus Christ. The overarching theme is the revelation of "things which must shortly come to pass."
What is God revealing? God is revealing "things which must shortly come to pass" through Jesus Christ, who sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.
What is the literary style? The book is a prophecy and apocalyptic literature.
When
When was it written? Approximately A.D. 95.
When does the event take place? Approximately A.D. 95.
Where
Where did it happen? The events of the vision begin on the isle that is called Patmos.
Where was the author located? The author, John, was on the isle that is called Patmos.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Introduction and Vision of the Son of Man (Revelation 1:1 to Revelation 1:20).
Start reading at Revelation 1:1. This passage introduces the author, the purpose of the book, and the initial vision of Jesus Christ, setting the stage for the entire Revelation.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse introduces the author, John, and establishes his location and circumstances (exile on Patmos for his faith) at the time he received the revelation described in the rest of the book. It connects him to the audience as a "brother" and "companion in tribulation," setting the stage for the prophetic messages to the churches. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? John explicitly states he was on Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ," indicating his suffering was directly related to his witness of Christ. The verse also identifies him as a "companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ," showing that believers share in Christ's kingdom and endure tribulation through Him. The entire book is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to endure tribulation and remain patient in Jesus Christ, just as John did. Our suffering for the "word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" connects us with other believers and with Christ's kingdom. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe introduction identifies the revelation's source, blesses those who heed it, and addresses the churches with testimony concerning Jesus Christ.
Connection to the wholeThe vision on Patmos displays Christ's authority over death and His presence among the churches, preparing the messages in chapters 2–3.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.