ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 1

Rev. 1:1–8 Prologue. The terms “revelation,” “show,” “made it known,” and “he saw” prepare readers for symbolic visions.

Rev. 1:1 revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is both the One revealed (referred to as Son of Man, Lion of Judah, Lamb, Word of God) and the Revealer. God gives the unveiled truth to Jesus (5:7). His angel gives it to John (10:9) for God’s servants in the churches. The prophecy must . . . take place because it is secured by God’s sovereign purpose and power.

Rev. 1:3 Blessed. The first of seven blessings (or benedictions; see chart) is given to those who hear and keep (or obey) God’s Word. In the early church one would read aloud while others listened. the time is near. See notes on 1 Thess. 5:2–3; 5:4.

Rev. 1:4–6 This greeting identifies the author and recipients. the seven churches that are in Asia. Churches existed in other cities of Roman Asia (e.g., Colossae, Troas). Thus Christ’s selection of “seven” (symbolizing completeness) implies that he addresses the whole church through them. him who is and who was and who is to come. God is eternal. In Christ he will come at the end of history to judge and save. the seven spirits. Revelation teaches that the Holy Spirit is one person (3:6, 13; see Eph. 4:4), but he also appears here as “seven spirits” (compare Rev. 3:1; 4:5), representing perfection. He is also pictured as “seven torches of fire” (4:5) and “seven eyes” (5:6). These descriptions show him as all-powerful and all-knowing. from him who is . . . from the seven spirits . . . and from Jesus Christ. John’s greeting comes “from” all three persons of the Trinity. the faithful witness. Jesus was a faithful witness even to death (1 Tim. 6:13). His followers must be the same (Rev. 2:13; 12:11; 20:4). John comforts his persecuted readers with the truth that Jesus has triumphed over death (the firstborn of the dead). He is the ruler of kings on earth, even Caesar. made us a kingdom, priests. Israel’s roles now belong to all who are freed from sins by Jesus’ blood (5:10; see Ex. 19:6).

Rev. 1:7–8 coming with the clouds. See note on 1 Thess. 4:16–17. Jesus is the Son of Man. He will have a universal kingdom (see Dan. 7:13–14). His subjects pierced him (Zech. 12:10). wail. A reaction to judgment. The coming one is the Lord God, Alpha and Omega (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; compare Rev. 22:13). Jesus is both the beginning (the Creator) and the goal of all history.

Rev. 1:9–22:5 Body. John begins the main part of his letter with a vision of “one like a son of man.” This person praises and corrects his seven churches.

1:9–3:22 “Things that are”: Christ’s presence with and knowledge of his churches. John’s first vision, of the glorious Son of Man who is spiritually present with his struggling churches (1:9–20), leads to a cycle of seven letters or edicts. Jesus describes each church’s condition and commands appropriate responses of repentance, faith, and continuing faithfulness (2:1–3:22).

Rev. 1:9 Patmos. An island where Rome exiled political criminals. John’s confinement there shows that he is a partner with the churches’ tribulation and patient endurance. Patmos is approximately 24 square miles (62 sq. km) in area. It is about 40 miles (64 km) from the mainland of Asia Minor.

Rev. 1:10 in the Spirit. John was surrounded by the active presence of the Holy Spirit. the Lord’s day. Sunday, the first day of the week, the day Christ rose.

Rev. 1:11 The order in which the churches are listed follows the route a courier would have taken from Patmos.

Rev. 1:13 Jesus often calls himself son of man in the Gospels (see Mark 14:61–62). See notes on Dan. 7:13–14; John 1:51.

Rev. 1:14 Hairs . . . like white wool represent divine wisdom (Dan. 7:9; compare Lev. 19:32; Prov. 16:31; 20:29). Jesus’ eyes like a flame of fire see everything clearly. He can truly say to each church, “I know all about you” (e.g., Rev. 2:18–19).

Rev. 1:15 Christ’s feet, like burnished bronze (compare 2:18), are strong and stable. They will crush all enemies. roar of many waters. Compare Ezek. 1:24.

Rev. 1:16 two-edged sword. God’s Word, which searches hearts and judges rebels (compare Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 19:15).

Rev. 1:17 the first and the last. The Son of Man affirms his eternal existence, echoing the Lord’s boast over idols (Isa. 44:6).

Rev. 1:18 I died . . . I am alive forevermore. John and the churches must “fear not” (v. 17), because Jesus has conquered death forever. On Christ’s resurrection, see 1 Cor. 15:42–57.

Rev. 1:19 Jesus’ command to write introduces the book’s main divisions. The letters (royal edicts) to the churches (chs. 2–3) address the things that are. John’s visions then turn mainly to things that are to take place after this (see 4:1).

Rev. 1:20 angels of the seven churches. Perhaps human messengers, human pastors, or literal angels sent as messengers. They are probably symbols of each church’s character.