Revelation – Chapter 1

New Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and…" — so begins Revelation 1. John stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John,

2Who hath given testimony to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen.

3Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy: and keepeth those things which are written in it. For the time is at hand.

4John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you and peace, from him that is and that was and that is to come: and from the seven spirits which are before his throne:

5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood

6And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

7Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him: and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him. Even so. Amen.

8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

9I, John, your brother and your partner in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island which is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.

10I was in the spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11Saying: What thou seest, write in a book and send to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamus and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

12And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks:

13And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of fire:

15And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as the sound of many waters.

16And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shineth in his power.

17And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last,

18And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell.

19Write therefore the things which thou hast seen: and which are: and which must be done hereafter.

20The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. And the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

Important Verses in Revelation 1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John,

Revelation 1:1

And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:6

I, John, your brother and your partner in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island which is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:9

And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last,

Revelation 1:17

Historical Context

Revelation addresses persecuted churches, lifted to see Christ's final victory within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 1 of 22 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a apocalyptic vision revealing God's ultimate victory over evil with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on John, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly…" The chapter ends with: "The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars…" Read against its original backdrop, Written to seven churches of Asia suffering under Rome's demand for emperor worship, Revelation unveils history's hidden meaning through visions of heavenly liturgy: the Lamb who was slain stands victorious, and every… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

Who Wrote It

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle

When It Was Written

About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense involves visions, symbols, and oracles addressed to communities under persecution or trial. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1700). Here, Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

John3 mentions

Reflection for Today

According to Catholic teaching, Revelation Chapter 1 presents the glorified Christ as Lord of the Church and history. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Revelation unveils "the things which must soon take place" while remaining mysterious in its symbolism (CIC 2642). The Church interprets this book through the lens of Tradition, avoiding both literalistic and purely symbolic extremes.

The vision of Christ among the seven lampstands (representing the churches) reveals His ongoing presence in the Church. Catholic ecclesiology emphasizes that Christ continues to guide His Church through the Holy Spirit and the Magisterium. The description of Christ as "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead" connects to the Catholic understanding of Christ as both prophet and priest.

John's response—falling as though dead before Christ's glory—models the reverence Catholics show in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The Church teaches that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, and this presence calls for adoration. The command "Write what you see" establishes the apostolic witness that the Church preserves in Sacred Scripture and Tradition. As the Catechism states, "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God" (CIC 97).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revelation Chapter 1 about?

Revelation 1 contains 20 verses. It opens with "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly…" and closes with "The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars…". The book as a whole is apocalyptic prophecy and epistle.

What is a key verse in Revelation 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Revelation Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions John.

Who wrote Revelation and when?

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle. About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

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