Revelation 1

Prologue

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God a gave him b to show to his servants 1 the things that must soon take place. c He made it known by sending his angel to his servant 2 John, 2 d who bore witness to the word of God and to e the testimony of Jesus Christ, even f to all that he saw. 3 g Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, h for the time is near.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from i him j who is and k who was and who is to come, and from l the seven spirits who are before his throne,

5 and from Jesus Christ m the faithful witness, n the firstborn of the dead, and o the ruler of kings on earth. To p him who loves us and q has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us r a kingdom, r priests to s his God and Father, to him be t glory and u dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, v he is coming with the clouds, and w every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail 3 on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 x "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, y "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Vision of the Son of Man

9 I, John, your brother and z partner in a the tribulation and b the kingdom and c the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos d on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 e I was in the Spirit f on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice g like a trumpet 11 saying, h "Write what you see 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."

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw i seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands j one like k a son of man, l clothed with a long robe and m with a golden sash around his chest. 14 n The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. o His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 p his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and q his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 r In his right hand he held seven stars, s from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and t his face was like the sun shining u in full strength.

17 v When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But v he laid his right hand on me, w saying, "Fear not, x I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. y I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and z I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 a Write therefore b the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and c the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and d the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

  1. Cross References
    John 17:7 - 8
    Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.
    John 8:26
    I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.
    John 14:10
    Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
  2. Cross References
    Revelation 22:6
    And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.
  3. Cross References
    Revelation 22:16
    "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
  4. Cross References
    John 19:35
    He who saw it has borne witness - his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth - that you also may believe.
  5. Cross References
    Revelation 6:9
    When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.
    Revelation 12:17
    Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
    Revelation 19:10
    Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
    1 Corinthians 1:6
    Even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you -
  6. Cross References
    Revelation 1:11
    Saying, "Write what you see 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 1:19
    Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
  7. Cross References
    Revelation 22:7
    "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
    Luke 11:28
    But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!
    John 8:51
    Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.
    1 John 2:3
    And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
  8. Cross References
    Revelation 22:10
    And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
    1 John 2:18
    Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
    Romans 13:11
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
  9. Cross References
    Revelation 1:8
    "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
    Revelation 4:8
    And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!
    Hebrews 13:8
    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
  10. Cross References
    Exodus 3:14
    God said to Moses, " I am who I am." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, ' I am has sent me to you.'
  11. Cross References
    John 1:1
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  12. Cross References
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
    Revelation 4:5
    From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God.
    Revelation 5:6
    And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
  13. Cross References
    Revelation 3:14
    And to the angel of the church in Laodicea writ...
    John 18:37
    Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" J...
    1 Timothy 6:13
    I charge you in the presence of God, who gives ...
    Revelation 2:13
    'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne i...
    Psalms 89:37
    Like the moon it shall be established forever, ...
    Isaiah 55:4
    Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a ...
  14. Cross References
    Colossians 1:18
    And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
    Psalms 89:27
    And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
    Acts 26:23
    That the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.
    1 Corinthians 15:20
    But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  15. Cross References
    Revelation 17:14
    They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
    Revelation 19:16
    On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
    Psalms 89:27
    And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
  16. Cross References
    John 13:34
    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
    John 15:9
    As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
  17. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:18 - 19
    Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold.
  18. Cross References
    Revelation 5:10
    And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
    Revelation 20:6
    Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
    1 Peter 2:9
    But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
  19. Cross References
    Revelation 5:10
    And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
    Revelation 20:6
    Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
    1 Peter 2:9
    But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
  20. Cross References
    Romans 15:6
    That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  21. Cross References
    Romans 11:36
    For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
  22. Cross References
    1 Peter 4:11
    Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 7:13
    I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
    Matthew 16:27
    For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
  24. Cross References
    Zechariah 12:10
    And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
    John 19:37
    And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced.
  25. Cross References
    Revelation 21:6
    And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
    Revelation 22:13
    I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
    Isaiah 41:4
    Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
    Isaiah 43:10
    You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
    Isaiah 44:6
    Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
  26. Cross References
    Revelation 1:4
    John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne.
  27. Cross References
    Philippians 4:14
    Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
  28. Cross References
    John 16:33
    I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
  29. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:12
    If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.
  30. Cross References
    Revelation 3:10
    Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
  31. Cross References
    Revelation 1:2
    Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
  32. Cross References
    Revelation 4:2
    At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a thro...
    Revelation 17:3
    And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wil...
    Revelation 21:10
    And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great...
    1 Kings 18:12
    And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit...
    Ezekiel 3:12
    Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behin...
    Matthew 22:43
    He said to them, "How is it then that David, in...
    2 Corinthians 12:2
    I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago w...
  33. Cross References
    Acts 20:7
    On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
    1 Corinthians 16:2
    On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
  34. Cross References
    Revelation 4:1
    After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.
  35. Cross References
    Revelation 1:2
    Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
    Revelation 1:19
    Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
  36. Cross References
    Revelation 1:20
    As for the mystery of the seven stars that you ...
    Revelation 2:1
    To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'T...
    Exodus 25:37
    You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamp...
    2 Chronicles 4:20
    The lampstands and their lamps of pure gold to ...
    Zechariah 4:2
    And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "...
    Revelation 11:4
    These are the two olive trees and the two lamps...
  37. Cross References
    Daniel 7:13
    I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
  38. Cross References
    Revelation 14:14
    Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.
    Daniel 10:16
    And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
  39. Cross References
    Daniel 10:5
    I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
  40. Cross References
    Revelation 15:6
    And out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.
  41. Cross References
    Daniel 7:9
    As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.
  42. Cross References
    Revelation 2:18
    And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
    Revelation 19:12
    His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
    Daniel 10:6
    His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
  43. Cross References
    Ezekiel 1:7
    Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf's foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze.
    Daniel 10:6
    His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
  44. Cross References
    Revelation 14:2
    And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.
    Revelation 19:6
    Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
    Ezekiel 43:2
    And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.
  45. Cross References
    Revelation 1:20
    As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
    Revelation 2:1
    To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
  46. Cross References
    Revelation 19:15
    From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which t...
    Revelation 2:12
    And to the angel of the church in Pergamum writ...
    Revelation 2:16
    Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you so...
    Isaiah 49:2
    He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the sha...
    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword...
    Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and active, sharp...
  47. Cross References
    Matthew 17:2
    And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
  48. Cross References
    Judges 5:31
    So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might." And the land had rest for forty years.
  49. Cross References
    Daniel 8:17 - 18
    So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.
    Daniel 10:9 - 10
    Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
    Daniel 10:15
    When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.
    Luke 24:37
    But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
    John 21:12
    Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
  50. Cross References
    Daniel 8:17 - 18
    So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.
    Daniel 10:9 - 10
    Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
    Daniel 10:15
    When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.
    Luke 24:37
    But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
    John 21:12
    Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
  51. Cross References
    Matthew 17:7
    But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear.
  52. Cross References
    Revelation 2:8
    And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
    Revelation 22:13
    I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
    Isaiah 41:4
    Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
    Isaiah 44:6
    Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
    Isaiah 48:12
    Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last.
  53. Cross References
    Romans 6:9
    We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
    Romans 14:9
    For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
  54. Cross References
    Revelation 9:1
    And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.
    Revelation 20:1
    Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
  55. Cross References
    Revelation 1:2
    Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
    Revelation 1:11
    Saying, "Write what you see 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.
  56. Cross References
    Revelation 1:12 - 16
    Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands.
  57. Cross References
    Revelation 1:12
    Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands.
  58. Cross References
    Matthew 5:14 - 15
    You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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