Revelation 1 Study Notes

1:10 In the Spirit refers to the exalted spiritual state that John was in as he received the visions of the Apocalypse. The Lord’s day is likely a phrase referring to the first day of the week—Sunday, the day of resurrection—which had become the day of worship for Christians (Ac 20:7; 1Co 16:2).

1:11 Some interpreters believe that Revelation was written as a “book” (i.e., in a codex format), but it is much more likely that the Greek word here (biblion) should be translated scroll. The seven local churches (see note at 2:1-3:22) addressed in Revelation were chosen from among all the churches in Asia Minor to serve as examples of the kinds of realities playing out in church life. These seven were obvious choices since they were located on the roads of a circular postal route, giving them prominence due to their ease of access.

1:12 The seven golden lampstands are the seven churches (v. 11; chaps. 2-3).

1:13-18 John had seen Jesus Christ in a similar glorified state on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:2). He had also seen his resurrection body after he was raised (Jn 20; Ac 1:2-11). John was also acquainted with the rich OT images of the glorified Son of Man (see Dn 7:13) that this vision on Patmos recalled.

1:14 The similes of the Son of Man’s head and hair being white as wool, depicting wisdom and purity, and his eyes being like a fiery flame, picturing piercing holiness, fuse the vision of the “Ancient of Days” (Dn 7:9) and Jesus’s appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:2).

1:15 Unlike the feet of the statue in Dn 2:33-35, which crumbled, the description like fine bronze . . . fired in a furnace speaks of strength and stability. A voice like the sound of cascading waters would have riveted John’s attention as he was imprisoned on an island where powerful waves crashed ashore.

1:16 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches (v. 20). The sharp double-edged sword that came from his mouth symbolizes the power of the Word of God to judge (Heb 4:12). The Son of Man’s face . . . shining like the sun was another reminder to John of what he saw with his own eyes on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:2).

1:17 That John fell at his feet was an act of fear and awe at the Lord revealing himself so profoundly to humankind (Dn 8:17). John’s reaction shows he experienced the glory of Christ more fully here than on the Mount of Transfiguration or in his post-resurrection appearances.

1:18 Christ’s authority over the keys of death and Hades was stated in his declaration that he would found the church (Mt 16:18). This will be exercised when death and Hades are emptied and then destroyed at the great white throne judgment (Rv 20:11-15).

1:19 The risen Christ here commanded John to write, just as in v. 11. What you have seen is the vision of vv. 12-18. What is refers to the present state of affairs in the churches in chaps. 2-3. What will take place after this refers to the body of the book (chaps. 4-22), which begins with “after this” (4:1).

1:20 The Greek word translated mystery speaks of something formerly unknown which has now been revealed. Perhaps the angels of the seven churches spoken of here functioned like so-called guardian angels for members of those churches (Heb 1:14).