A Commentary on the Book of Revelation

Chapter 1

Prologue

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

The book opens with an introduction that claims it to be the unveiling or revealing of Jesus Christ, something given to Him by His Father. The reason given for this sharing of information is to show future events to His servants, “things that must soon take place.”^[1] The first ‘vector’^[2] we come to begs the question, “Did these things already take place?” A Futurist would say no, that the text is clear that these things are reserved for the end times. A Preterist may allegorize and say yes, that most of this text has already been fulfilled. This is quickly followed by another potential vector, since the Greek simply states “Apokalypsis Iēsou Christou” (essentially “Revelation Jesus Christ”) with no preposition, some translators prefer to state “revelation from Jesus Christ” (NIV, NLT). While some could argue that in the ’long run’ it doesn’t matter, it points out that right from the beginning we are faced with some potentially polarizing questions. Regardless if ‘of’ or ‘from’ Jesus, the unveiling of events in this book will demonstrate that Jesus’ teachings and promises are true.

As humans we might want to categorize this book as being a revealing of God’s plan for the end times. We need to understand that it is not a ‘plan’, which is typically defined as a course of action yet to be followed. It is a revealing of what will take place, or more precisely, what did take place in the future. God is outside of time and He alone knows the future. This is the insight that He is sharing with the apostle John through the aid of His angels. 

2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 

John was chosen to witness and record everything he saw and heard, which is here now identified as “the word of God” and “the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation stands at the end of the Bible to give testimony as witness that the Word of God (all Scripture) is true and that the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ is also true. 

3 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, for the time is near. 

The book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to the reader. The blessing is for those that read aloud the words (the teacher) and for those that are listening (the students). They are also instructed to “keep what is written in it.” The Greek word ’tērountes’,^[3] translated here as ‘keep’ refers to keeping watch, to observe attentively, readers will be blessed for their vigilance. 

The reading aloud is not a criteria required to receive a blessing from God, as the Greek essentially means to learn something through reading, often used in the Bible when a person reads to another or to a group (see Luke 4:16; Acts 13:27; 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:15; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). But it is interesting to note that hearing the Word of God is an ongoing theme in the Bible, perhaps best summarized by Paul when he wrote, “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:13-17) While the physical listening of the gospel message is not a requirement to be saved, it is to be shared. It must be shared. Who did God send to proclaim and share the gospel? All Christians.

Greeting to the Seven Churches

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, 5a and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

The cities of these seven churches in Asia will soon be identified in verse eleven. John begins with the customary greeting of ‘grace’ (receiving something undeserved) and ‘peace’ (a word that goes beyond not having conflict, but having peace of mind trusting Jesus for everything), for Christians this greeting and the order it is given has meaning beyond just being a greeting. Through the grace of God believers of Jesus are then able to experience His peace (see John 14:27; Philippians 4:7). The greeting is extended from, “Him who is and who was and who is to come,” a reference to God being eternal, “who is,” being now, “who was,” the past, and “who is to come,” referring to the future. John adds two additional sources of this greeting. The next one can be confusing as he states the greeting is also from “the seven spirits.” He is not saying that there are seven different Holy Spirits, but one with multiple aspects and roles (see Isaiah 11:2). Understanding the heptadic (seven-fold) construct of the Bible,^[4] the number seven conveys the concept of completeness. The greeting was also from Jesus, who John identifies as being the faithful witness (Jesus obeyed His Father making salvation possible), the firstborn of the dead (the first to be resurrected after sin was conquered), and the ruler of kings on earth (a role yet future). This greeting carries the weight of being from the Godhead, that of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

5b To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Referring to Jesus, the subject of verse five, it is He who loves us, freed us from our sins by His blood, made us a kingdom, and made us priests (see 1 Peter 2:9), to Him be the glory (not the glory from man, but glory from God, see John 5:44; 12:43) and dominion (the presence of strength and power) forever. 

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 

When Jesus returns, John tells us that no one will miss the event, as every eye will see Him coming with the clouds, even those who were responsible for His crucifixion. He also notes that people from all walks of life will cry and mourn on account of Him, referring to those who undoubtedly chose to reject Him and His offer for salvation. Even so, amen, meaning this is true and it will occur. At the time of His return those that ‘pierced’ Him would be a reference to those in the Jewish lineage that still have rejected Him as the Messiah, in the lineage of those that were directly responsible will be judged later (see Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37).

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The greeting portion of the book is closed with a statement from God telling us that He is the Alpha and the Omega. The ‘alpha’ is the first letter of the Greek language and the ‘omega’ is the last letter (the Hebrew equivalents being the ‘alef’ and ‘tav’, which can be found in several locations in the Old Testament). He is the Creator, the One who created everything and set all things into motion, including all life. And He is the last, but not the end for believers, for them the last means eternal life with Jesus, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty! Some consider this to be a bookend verse as it is repeated, not verbatim, but similar, later near the end of the book (see Revelation 21:6; 22:13). 

Vision of Jesus

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

John again identifies himself (see verses 1 and 4), he undoubtedly didn’t need any further clarification or credentials due to the recognition of his name. He further notes that he is a fellow believer and partner in God’s work. He understood the suffering, affliction and patient endurance required to serve God in His kingdom on earth. At this time John was exiled on the island of Patmos approximately fifteen miles off the shore from Ephesus. Several early church theologians and historians including Irenaeus,^[5] Clement of Alexandria,^[6] and Eusebius^[7] wrote that John was sent to Patmos as an exile under the Roman Emperor Domitian, and after the emperor's death around 96 A.D., he was allowed to return to Ephesus and lived there until he died. John explains why he is on the island, he is a prisoner due to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. In other words this was Rome’s attempt to silence John to prevent any further teaching, preaching, or any other form of evangelism from him. 

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 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.” 

Being “in the Spirit” and the reference to the “Lord’s day,” are largely unknown. Since the Holy Spirit dwells in each believer, some believe John was praying or meditating on Scripture, while others believe it was a way to state that he was simply experiencing a vision from the Holy Spirit. Most agree that the “Lord’s day” refers to a day of the week, either Sunday (always called the first day of the week in the New Testament), being the day He rose from the grave, or on Saturday (the Sabbath), being the “Lord of the Sabbath” (see Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5). John hears from behind him a loud voice telling him to write what he sees in a book and send it the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. 

As modern-day readers of this book, some sound and visual comparisons may seem hard to understand or relate to (such as a voice like a trumpet, a voice like the roar of many waters, seeing a sea of glass mingled with gold, etc). John can only relate to spectacular natural events to emphasize the dazzling, the very loud, or those things that are otherwise unbelievable in sight and sound. He has no movie or television show to compare special effects with. We need to recognize what he is accentuating but never get distracted by the metaphor itself.

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 

John turns to look at the person who is talking and sees Jesus standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands, wearing a long robe with a golden sash. We encounter the first of many symbolic visuals in the book of Revelation, the seven golden lampstands. Those familiar with the construction of the Tabernacle will remember the instructions given to Moses to construct a golden lampstand (see Exodus 25:31-40) to be used to provide light in the Holy Place (the first room in the Tabernacle). What they represent will be explained in verse twenty, giving us an example that the Bible is indeed the best tool for explaining the Bible, and should be utilized first to throw light on any mystery encountered (sorry for the pun). 

14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 

John continues to describe the appearance of Jesus. His hair being white, His eyes like fire (see also Daniel 10:6; Revelation 2:18; 19:12), feet like burnished bronze, and His voice was as loud as a powerful waterfall (see also Daniel 7:9). In past visions from God recorded in the Bible, we see that colors and appearances are important. From top down we see the color white representing God’s purity and holiness (see Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18; Daniel 7:9; 11:35; 12:10; Matthew 28:3), Jesus’ eyes of fire point to judgment and purification (see Genesis 19:24; Exodus 9:23-24; Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 11:1-3; 16:35; Deuteronomy 32:19-22; Psalm 50:3-4; Isaiah 29:5-6; 66:15-16; Jeremiah 51:58; Ezekiel 22:17-22; 28:18; 30:13-19; 38:22; 39:6; Amos 1:3-2:5; Obadiah 18; Nahum 1:6; Zephaniah 1:18; 3:8; Zechariah 9:4), and the metal bronze which is associated with the process of purification (see Exodus 27:1-8; 30:17-21; 38:1-8; Numbers 21:8-9). An important theme in Revelation to remember when reading is that God is pure without corruption or sin, and for humans to dwell with Him, sin must first be eliminated. For those who accept Jesus as their Savior, all of their sins are forgiven, as they have been purified by His blood. Since God is a just God, those that reject the gospel message will be judged, punished and sent away from God’s presence in hell. 

16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 

Jesus has seven stars in His right hand, these stars will also be explained in verse twenty. Out of His mouth John sees a sharp two-edged sword (see Considerations below) and His face was bright like the sun. In the New Testament two different types of swords are reported, the first being the ‘machaira’,^[8] found in the text 29 times, it is a relatively short sword used for cutting and stabbing. But the sword recorded here is a ‘rhomphaia’,^[9] it is a large (and typically broad) sword, found in the text only seven times, six of those in the book of Revelation alone, each related to judgment (see Revelation 2:12, 16; 6:8; 19:15, 21). 

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

When John saw the radiant Jesus, he fell at His feet motionless. Jesus comforts John by laying His right hand on him and told him to “Fear not.” He further explains that He is qualified to reassure him as He is the First and the Last, and is alive. As He died but is now alive and will never die again. He also tells John that He has the keys of Death and Hades. Death He conquered on the cross, and since up to the time of His resurrection when people died everyone went to Hades,^[10] but now those who accept Jesus as their Savior go to heaven. Having the keys also tells us that Jesus controls who goes in and who is allowed out of Hades.

Much like verse eight where Jesus calls Himself “the Alpha and the Omega,” He is again saying that He is the first, the one who gave us life, and the last, the one that solved the problem of sin by being sinless Himself, suffered, died and rose to life on our behalf. And since He is alive and can’t die, life with Him for eternity is the last ’stage’ for all believers.

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

As discussed in the Introduction, this verse provides an excellent outline or table of contents for this book. John is instructed to write what he has seen, which would technically include all of the sequences of visions and experiences recorded, but does, in context, appear to refer to this chapter. John is then told to write “those that are,” referring to his present time, but interestingly, the letters to the seven churches, are still applicable today. Then he is instructed to write about those that will take place after the church period. 

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. 

Jesus offers explanation for what John reported in verses 12-13 (the lampstands) and verse 16 (the seven stars) and was likely still seeing them. The Greek word ‘mystērion’^[11] simply refers to something previously unknown or something that has not been revealed before. We are told that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, which raises other questions, who are the angels of churches? Does every church have an angel assigned to them? Some like to think it is a reference to the church’s pastor, however that interpretation is not supported by the verse’s context. They are angels of some importance, being safely protected in His right hand, no further detail or information is provided. The seven lampstands represent the seven churches, note that Jesus is standing in their midst.

Considerations 

Names and Titles of Jesus

Throughout the book of Revelation readers will encounter several names and titles for Jesus. These are not extraneous words nor should they be considered circumlocutions, each one has meaning, and as one would expect from the ultimate author, the name or title pertain to the subject matter. Besides the often-used name of Jesus and titles of Lord and God (used to describe both God the Father and God the Son), here is a list of the names and titles of Jesus found in Revelation in alphabetical order (as found in ESV):

Note: Each will be further discussed in the commentary. 

Hades ^[12]

Before Jesus was victorious on the cross, all humans that died went to a place called Hades (or Sheol in the Hebrew language), also known as the abode (or place) of the dead.^[13] In the New Testament we are taught that the location known as Hades had two chambers (for lack of any better word to use). In a true story taught by Jesus (not a parable), He called one side of Hades, “Abraham’s side” (or Abraham’s Bosom, KJV, NKJV, see Luke 16:22). The story, found in the gospel according to Luke, tells us about a very rich man who had a potential royal connection that had every luxury one could ever want in his life, and a poor sickly man named Lazarus (do not confuse with the brother of Mary and Martha who was raised from the dead by Jesus, Lazarus was a popular name at the time). After the rich man and Lazarus both die, they find themselves in Hades, Lazarus on Abraham’s side (those who trusted and believed that God would keep His promises) and the rich man on the other side. The story tells us that they were separated by a large chasm and that there was no way for anyone from one side to visit the other side. The rich man spots Lazarus being comforted by Abraham and he asks Abraham to have Lazarus come over to comfort him, but Abraham says that would be impossible. He then asks Abraham to send someone back to his house to warn his brothers, once again Abraham says no. He explains that they had Moses and the prophets, and they should have listened. The rich man then proclaims, “if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!” Abraham then reminded him that if they did not listen to Moses (who wrote the first five books of the Bible) and the prophets, they would not listen to someone even if they were raised from the dead (see the entire story in Luke 16:19-31). After Jesus was victorious on the cross, He freed those that had faith in the promises of God (See Hebrews 11:1-40) and brought them to Heaven (see Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-20). However, the ‘judgment’ side of Hades remains the same, waiting for final judgment since non-believers cannot go to heaven (see John 3:3 and 1 Corinthians 15:50). As non-believers continue to die, they enter Hades, joining the others who were not taken to heaven, awaiting final judgment. Remember, there is no further judgment for believers just rewards (see 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Two-Edged Sword

A two-edged sword has many advantages when in the hands of a skilled swordsman. However, when mentioned in the Bible it is believed to represent a dichotomy, two different aspects of a metaphoric use of a sword. We read in Ephesians 6:17 that Paul identifies the sword of the Spirit as the Word of God, and the author of the book of Hebrews amplifies this by writing, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The dichotomy here represents: 1) God’s law, that which convicts of sin; and 2) God’s offer of salvation through the blood of Jesus. In short, the law is one edge, and the gospel message is the opposite edge. One edge leads to condemnation and the other leads to life eternal with Jesus.

Blessed

The Greek word ‘makarios’^[14] can be found seven times in the book of Revelation (see Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; and 22:14), it is often translated as ‘happy’, as being glad due to a happenstance, a favorable condition. But ‘makarios’ goes beyond happiness, it can be defined as, “possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God...satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances.”^[15]

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[1] See commentary under Revelation 22:6 and 22:7 regarding the word ‘soon’.

[2] See “Vectors in Theology” in the Appendix.

[3] Strong’s Greek 5083.

[4] See “Prediction Verses Confirmation” in the Introduction.

[5] Irenaeus of Lyons. (1885). Irenæus against Heresies. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 416). Christian Literature Company.

[6] Clement of Alexandria. (1885). Who Is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved? In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), & W. Wilson (Trans.), Fathers of the Second Century: Hermas, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, and Clement of Alexandria (Entire) (Vol. 2, p. 603). Christian Literature Company.

[7] Eusebius of Caesarea. (1953). Ecclesiastical History, Books 1–5 (R. J. Deferrari, Ed. & Trans.; Vol. 19, p. 168). The Catholic University of America Press.

[8] Strong’s Greek 3162.

[9] Strong’s Greek 4501.

[10] See "Hell By Any Other Name is Still Hell or Is it?" in the Appendix.

[11] Strong’s Greek 3466.

[12] Adapted from author’s book, “Everything a Christian Should Know About the Torah A Commentary on the First Five Books of the Bible.”

[13] This is not the same as Hell, see “Hell By Any Other Name is Still Hell or Is it?” in the Appendix.

[14] Strong’s Greek 3107.

[15] Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers.