Revelation (Part 12) - Chapter 1

Our discussion of antichrist took us to the beast of Revelation in chapters 13 and 17. Last time we concluded with the angel’s mocking description of the beast in 17:8 as one who “was, and is not, and is about to rise...and go to destruction.” From that point, the angel continues to inform John of the symbolism of the beast. We learn that its 7 heads are 7 mountains. Although attempts have been made to associate the 7 mountains with the 7 hills on which the city of Rome rests, both the nature of the beast (antichristic domination throughout the interadvental period) and especially the further explanation that follows in the next verse (17:10) argue against Rome. Throughout Scripture, mountains are symbolic for kingdoms. Just so, in this passage the angel goes on to state that these 7 mountains are 7 kings, “five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come” (17:10). These 7 appear to be kingdoms associated with attack against God and his people. From the Old Testament we know that there were four major kingdoms (nations/empires) that dominated the people of God: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. We also know that Greece, including Alexander’s successors, dominated Palestine in the intertestamental period. These then are the 5 heads (kingdoms) that have fallen. The one that “is” is Rome, dominating first Palestine and then Christians after the transition from old covenant to New Covenant. And there is one more to come. The language concerning this future “kingdom” appears to associate it with Satan’s release mentioned in Revelation 20:7. It is in conjunction with this short-lived kingdom that the beast will be conquered by Christ.

Thus, from John’s definition of antichrist in his epistles, through discussions in Daniel, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation, we find coalescence rather than distinction. John’s definition is not something other than what Paul discusses. Daniel’s antichristic image coincides with that of Revelation. And nothing in these sections compels us to assume that antichrist is a single future evil world leader. In fact, not recognizing antichrist now is part of the antichrist deception. Christians must be aware now so that the patient endurance in tribulation, emphasized in Revelation, will keep us faithful to our Lord.


The book of Revelation begins in a slightly different manner from other NT epistles. The first three verses offer a prologue prior to the letter’s address. This prologue serves the functions of emphasizing the need for the book and that the prophecy of the book comes directly from God. We get the title of the book from the first line. This is a revelation of Jesus Christ. From what is shown within the book, the revelation is of Jesus Christ both in that it is about Jesus and that it is delivered by Jesus. Of particular note is the fact that this prophecy is unqualifiedly for “his servants.” Although later the recipients are identified as 7 churches of Asia Minor, the prologue’s universal statements help us to understand the universal representation of those 7 churches.

Verse 3 provides a blessing for those who read/hear and follow the exhortation of the prophecy. Although implied, no other book of the NT has such an explicit statement of promised blessing for those who are faithful to the reading and instruction of the book. I think that this blessing was incorporated both to motivate a deeper look into the imagery of the apocalyptic style and to encourage future generations since this book closed the canon of God’s revelation.

From verse 4 to verse 8 we are bombarded with statements about God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These statements all express the certainty or surety of the word that will follow. Grace and peace is offered from the Trinity. Rather than calling him Father, the first person of the Trinity is referred to as “him who is and how was and who is to come.” The significance is not only the expression of certainty that he controls past, present, and future, but also that this name is later tied to Jesus, a strong defense of the Trinitarian doctrine. Additionally, the Holy Spirit is spoken of as 7 spirits before the throne, an indication of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing that which will be revealed.

Jesus is called the faithful witness (emphasis of the truth about to be revealed), the firstborn of the dead (emphasis that even death cannot hinder him), and the ruler of the kings on earth (emphasis that no one can oppose what he will bring to pass). Verse 7 continues the theme of certainty stating almost defiantly “Behold, he is coming with the clouds.” And the statement is concluded by an equally determined “Even so. Amen.” The last statement of this section is a direct quote from God: “I am the Alpha and the Omega who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Here the certainty is finalized. He is the beginning and the end. He controls past, present, and future. He is all powerful. This word of revelation can be absolutely relied on for it is from the one who controls everything.

From that confidence, John begins with a statement in 1:9 that seems to point to the need for reliance on these declarations of certainty. The first thing John says is that he is a partner in tribulation. Although persecuted, John relies on the sure word of God that he is also part of God’s kingdom and therefore will patiently endure (1:9). John is on the island of Patmos—a penal colony of that time. He is there, exiled, because of his Christianity. He sees a vision on the Lord’s day (1:10). In today’s vernacular, we would assume this to be Sunday. But based on the terminology of the NT, it may be more appropriate to consider this Saturday (the Sabbath). The mention of the day here could simply be to give his readers even more assurance that this prophecy came to him from God at a specific time rather than it being a mere general impression. It could also point to God’s rest as the 7th day in conjunction with this final revelation of God that would take us to the eternal rest.

John hears a voice telling him to write what he sees in this vision to the 7 churches. The 7 churches are representative of all Christians of all times. The number 7 is used symbolically to express fullness or perfection in fullness. Thus, since we know that the book is intended for all God’s servants (1:1), recognizing that the 7 churches stand for the universal church or people of God is appropriate.

John turns to see who is speaking, and he is presented with an image of Christ. This image should be understood according to the interpretation of Hebrew imagery; that is, by quality rather than by form. John’s intention is not for us to imagine what Christ must have looked like, but rather to see these various parts of the image for the qualities they represent. We are not being instructed to imagine Christ always with white hair. We are meant to understand the judicial wisdom of Christ. In fact, all these elements presented, including the white hair, the fiery eyes, the roaring voice, etc., are meant to depict Christ as absolute, almighty judge.

Notice that the elements in this vision parallel what Daniel saw in Daniel 7 and 10. There we read the following:

7:9-10 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him; and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”

10:5-6 “I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.”

Both images in Daniel show authority, strength, and judgment. That is exactly the intent in Revelation 1.

Revelation 1:17 tells us that upon seeing the vision, John fell at the feet of Christ as though dead (without strength). Christ reaches out to touch him and then tells him, “Fear not.” This also parallels Daniel who, in 10:16-19, says “I said to him who stood before me, ‘O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.’ Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, ‘O man greatly loved, fear not….”

The strong connection with Daniel is for the purpose of connecting the prophecies. As mentioned in an earlier summary, Daniel’s prophecy was from release of Israel from captivity to the end of the old covenant. John’s prophecy continues (overlaps) from the end of Daniel’s prophecy to the end of time. The certainty and source of the prophecies are identical. We have here the sure word of God.

Again, further words of surety are stated by Christ as he tells John that he is “the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades” (1:17b-18). Christ connects himself here with the Father who had stated earlier that he was the Alpha and Omega. Christ conquered death and now controls both death and hell.