Revelation 1

Jesus Christ

The 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: Revelation 1:1–2

The whole book is Jesus Christ's revelation, given to Him by the Father and passed through an angel to John. John bears record of the testimony of Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

He Which Is, Was, and Is to Come

He which is, and was, and is to come — an expansion of the divine name I AM, the eternal, ever-existing God

John 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; Revelation 1:4

This eternal title echoes the name God revealed to Moses. Here it may point to the Father because Jesus Christ is named separately in verse 5, but verse 8 applies it to the Lord, the Alpha and Omega.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 3:14 — I AM THAT I AM
• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come

The Faithful Witness

Faithful Witness — the one whose testimony of the Father is perfectly true

And 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, Revelation 1:5

Jesus always testified truly of the Father, even to death, so He is the faithful witness.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 3:14 — the faithful and true witness

First Begotten of the Dead

First begotten of the dead — the first to rise from death in resurrection

And 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, Revelation 1:5

Jesus was the first person ever resurrected, opening the way for everyone else to rise.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Colossians 1:18 — the firstborn from the dead
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:20 — Christ risen from the dead ... the firstfruits of them that slept

Prince of the Kings of the Earth

Prince of the kings of the earth — ruler over all earthly rulers

And 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, Revelation 1:5

Christ rules over every king and government on earth, fulfilling the promise to David's royal heir.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Psalm 89:27 — I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth
• the same title in Revelation 19:16 — KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

Atonement (washed in His blood)

And 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, Revelation 1:5–6

Out of love, Jesus cleansed us from sin by His own blood and makes the faithful kings and priests to His Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 19:6 — ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests
• alluded to by Revelation 5:9-10 — redeemed us to God by thy blood ... made us unto our God kings and priests

Second Coming

Behold, 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. Revelation 1:7

Jesus will return in the clouds and every person will see Him, including those who crucified Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Daniel 7:13 — one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven
• alludes to Zechariah 12:10 — they shall look upon me whom they have pierced
• the same event in Matthew 24:30 — the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory
• the same event in D&C 45:51-52 — the Jews shall look upon me and ask about the wounds in his hands and feet

Alpha and Omega

Alpha and Omega — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: He is the beginning and the end

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

The Lord speaks in His own voice as the one who is before and after all things. Latter-day revelation identifies Alpha and Omega as Christ the Lord.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in D&C 19:1 — I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord
• the same title in Revelation 22:13 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last
• alludes to Isaiah 44:6 — I am the first, and I am the last

Jesus Christ

I 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. Revelation 1:9

John was exiled on Patmos because of his testimony of Jesus Christ, sharing in Christ's kingdom and patient endurance.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last

The first and the last — the eternal God, before all and after all

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1:10–11

The trumpet-like voice John hears is the risen Christ, naming Himself with a title Jehovah used in Isaiah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 48:12 — I am he; I am the first, I also am the last
• the same title in Revelation 22:13 — the first and the last

The Lord's Day

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1:10

The Lord's day is the day Christians set apart to honor Christ, the first day of the week when He rose from the dead.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Acts 20:7 — upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread

Son of Man (glorified appearance)

Son of Man — Son of Man of Holiness, the Father

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; Revelation 1:12–16

John sees the glorified, resurrected Christ standing among His churches. Each detail shows His purity, all-seeing eyes, strength, power of His word, and glory.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Daniel 7:9 — the hair of his head like the pure wool
• alludes to Daniel 10:5-6 — girded with fine gold, eyes as lamps of fire, feet like polished brass
• alludes to Ezekiel 43:2 — his voice was like a noise of many waters
• alluded to by D&C 110:3 — eyes as a flame of fire, hair white like the pure snow, countenance above the sun, voice of rushing great waters, even the voice of Jehovah
• alluded to by D&C 6:2 — my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword

The First and the Last

The first and the last — the eternal God, before all and after all

And 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: Revelation 1:17

When John falls in fear, Christ gently touches him and comforts him, identifying Himself as the eternal First and Last.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 44:6 — I am the first, and I am the last

Resurrection

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18

Jesus testifies that He died, rose, and lives forever. Because He conquered death, He holds the keys to free us from death and hell.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Luke 24:6 — He is not here, but is risen
• alluded to by Revelation 2:8 — the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive

Christ Among His Churches

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Revelation 1:19–20

Christ Himself explains the vision: He holds the leaders of the churches in His hand and walks among the churches, watching over them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Revelation 2:1 — he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks