Revelation 1
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedThis is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," given to show "things which must shortly come to pass," sent by an angel "unto his servant John," with a blessing on "he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy." John greets "the seven churches which are in Asia" from him "that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," and on Patmos, "in the Spirit on the Lord's day," he hears a voice telling him to write to the seven churches and sees "one like unto the Son of man" among seven golden candlesticks. John falls "at his feet as dead," but he says, "Fear not; I am the first and the last," and explains, "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Revelation 1:1Revelation 1:3Revelation 1:4Revelation 1:5Revelation 1:9Revelation 1:10Revelation 1:11Revelation 1:12Revelation 1:13Revelation 1:17Revelation 1:20
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
John, "your brother, and companion in tribulation"; the seven churches; and "one like unto the Son of man," who says, "I am he that liveth, and was dead." Revelation 1:9Revelation 1:11Revelation 1:13Revelation 1:18Revelation overview
Where
John was "in the isle that is called Patmos," writing to the churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea in Asia. Revelation 1:4Revelation 1:9Revelation 1:11PatmosAsiaEphesusSmyrnaPergamumThyatiraSardisPhiladelphiaLaodicea
When
John says the vision came "on the Lord's day." Traditionally about AD 95-96, near the end of the emperor Domitian's reign. Most scholars agree; some date it about AD 68-69, soon after Nero's death. Revelation 1:10Revelation overview
How it fits
This chapter introduces the book and tells John to write "the things which are." Chapter 2 begins the letters: "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write." Revelation 1:19Revelation 2:1Revelation overview
Key verses
- Verse 7
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him." Daniel 7:13 saw "one like the Son of man" coming "with the clouds of heaven," and Zechariah 12:10 says "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced." Revelation 1:7Daniel 7:13Zechariah 12:10
- Verse 17
"Fear not; I am the first and the last." In Isaiah 44:6 the LORD says, "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Revelation 1:17Isaiah 44:6
- Verse 20
The chapter itself explains two symbols: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Revelation 1:20
Takeaway
Jesus is alive for evermore and holds the keys of hell and of death, so do not fear; read and keep His word. Revelation 1:3Revelation 1:17Revelation 1:18
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
The revelation of Jesus Christ
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: 2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.
Greeting to the seven churches
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; 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, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 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. 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.
One like the Son of man
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. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 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. 12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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. 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: 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. 19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.