Verses 1-2
: This book is about the soon to come revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is given by God through John who bare witness of what he saw.Verse 3
: Note the special blessing for those who hear, read and keep what is written. Also note that this book is clearly labeled as a prophesy which will happen soon.Verses 4-5
: The direct audience for the book are the seven churches listed in chapters 2 & 3. Note the salutation: Grace then peace. In the New Testament, it is always in the order of grace, mercy and peace. Peace cannot come without the grace of God (salvation). The salutation is from all three of the God Heads: God the Father (him which is, which was, and which is to come); the Holy Spirit (the 7 spirits before the throne of God: the Lord; wisdom; understanding; counsel; might; knowledge; and fear (Is 11:2)); and the Son. Note the titles of Jesus: the faithful witness; the first begotten of the dead; and the prince of kings of the earth.Verse 6
: we (the saved (from verse 5)) will be kings and priests unto both Jesus and God the father. Note the sequence: he loved us, then he washed us and then he made us kings and priests.Verse 7
: Jesus will return in the clouds and all on the earth shall see him including those who pierced him (Jews) and all kindreds (the gentiles). Note there reactions to his return - wailing. Why? Those on earth at that time are the unsaved.Verse 8
: Jesus is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. Compare to John 1 where Jesus is the Word. Jesus is not only the word but also all letters that make up the Word.Verse 9
: John is being persecuted for the word of God, the testimony of JesusVerses 10-11
: Note the day: the Lord’s day. Compare with Matthew 12:8 where Jesus asserts He is Lord of the Sabbath. The last days are also referred to as the day of the Lord. This focuses the book to the last days. Notice that Jesus’s voice sounds like a trumpet. The churches are introduced see Figure 1 for a map of their locations.Verses 12-13
: John sees the son of man (Jesus) in the midst of 7 candlesticks. In verse 20 we find out that the candlesticks are churches. Where is Jesus? He is in the churches - even when they are not good (as we will see). Also note that Jesus is wearing the garments of the priesthood (He is, afterall, our high priest (Heb 3:1))Verses 14-16
: The appearance of Christ: white - purity; fire - judgement; brass - judgement. His feet which were bruised by the serpent (Gen 3:15) will crush the serpent in judgement. His white hair establishing that his ancient of days. His voice of many waters - the water of life (John 4:10 & Rev 22:1). From his mouth comes the Word of God - the 2-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). Notice where the sword comes from - Jesus’s mouth. Unlike our mouths that contain both blessing and curse (James 3:8-12), only good (the Word of God) proceeds from the mouth of Jesus.Jesus’s countenance actually shines. Compare to Rev. 22:5 where the Lord gives the Light, Ex 34 where Moses face shone after being with God and Ex 33:23 where Moses could not see all of God’s glory.
Verse 17
: John sees Jesus and falls as though dead. Compare with the reaction of Ezekiel (Eze 1:28) and Paul (Acts 9:4). Note Jesus’s response of Love and Mercy.Verse 18
: Note that Jesus was alive, then dead and then alive forever. Also note that he holds the keys to hell and death.Verse 19
: The focal verse for the book. It contains the past, the present and the future.Verse 20
: The mysteries are explained: the 7 stars are the leaders of the 7 churches (the 7 candlesticks). The church is to be the light of the world - hence the candlesticks. It is interesting that it is never mentioned whether there is light coming from the candlesticks.