The First and the Last

Revelation calls itself the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants. It comes through an angel to John, who testifies to all that he saw. It also promises a blessing: blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep them. John greets seven assemblies in Asia with grace and peace from him who is, who was, and who is to come. He praises Jesus, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood.

John was on the isle of Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s day, a loud voice like a trumpet told him to write to the seven assemblies. He turned and saw seven golden lamp stands. Among them stood one like a son of man, clothed in a long robe with a golden sash. His hair was white as wool. His eyes were a flame of fire, his feet like burnished brass, and his voice like many waters. Out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

These pictures are symbols, and Jesus himself explains some of them. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are the seven assemblies. When John fell at his feet, Jesus laid his right hand on him and said, Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Then he said, Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.