Revelation 1:1-8
A Revelation of Jesus Christ
Read the passage
1This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,
2who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.
4John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne,
5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
6who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
7Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. It is made known by an angel to John, who bears witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and keep it, for the time is near. John greets the seven churches in Asia with grace and peace from the One who is and was and is to come, from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us, frees us from our sins by His blood, and makes us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father. John answers this grace with praise: glory and power belong to Jesus forever.
His return will be public. Every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. The Lord God declares that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is and was and is to come, the Almighty. The kings Jesus rules cannot prevent His coming or escape His judgment.
These opening words give the churches good reason to listen. The Savior who speaks has already shown His love at the cost of His blood. His people belong to Him and have work to do as His priests. Reading Revelation begins with receiving His word, praising Him, and taking seriously what He tells us to keep.
Questions
1 Who is this revelation about?
AnswerIt is the revelation of Jesus Christ, given by God for His servants. The opening directs attention first to Jesus and to what God is making known.
2 Who receives the blessing?
AnswerThe one who reads aloud and those who hear and keep the prophecy are blessed. Hearing is joined to obedience rather than treated as information for curiosity alone.
3 How is Jesus described?
AnswerHe is the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, ruler of earthly kings, the One who loves and frees His people, and the One who makes them a kingdom of priests.
4 What does the Alpha and Omega statement say?
AnswerIt says the Lord God is the One who is, was, and is to come, the beginning and the end. History is held by God rather than by the powers John will describe.
What This Means for Us
Christ has freed His people from sin to serve God. When you read this book together, begin by thanking Him for that costly freedom. Then take His words into the ordinary decisions ahead: tell the truth when a lie would be convenient, refuse a known sin, and pray for someone who needs His mercy. These are opportunities to serve the King who loves you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving and freeing Your people. Help us hear Your word and keep it, trust Your rule over history, and serve as a priestly people with faithful lives. Amen.