About This Book
Revelation unveils Jesus Christ's ultimate victory over evil through apocalyptic visions of end-times judgment, encouraging persecuted churches while depicting new heaven and earth where God dwells with redeemed humanity eternally. John receives revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show servants what must soon take place, sending it through His angel to John, who testified to God's word and Jesus Christ's testimony. Blessed are those who read, hear, and keep what's written, for the time is near. John greets seven Asian churches, wishing grace and peace from the triune God.
Christ loved us, freed us from sins by His blood, and made us a kingdom of priests. Behold, He's coming with clouds; every eye will see Him. John, sharing tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance, was on Patmos because of God's word and Jesus' testimony when he heard a loud voice commanding him to write what he sees in a book and send it to seven churches. Turning, John saw seven golden lampstands and among them one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe, golden sash around His chest, head and hair white as wool, eyes like flaming fire, feet like burnished bronze, voice like many waters, holding seven stars, with sharp two-edged sword from His mouth and face like blazing sun.
John fell as though dead, but Jesus touched him, identifying Himself as the First and Last, the Living One who died yet lives forevermore, holding death and Hades keys. Christ dictates messages to seven churches—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea—commending faithfulness while correcting failures and promising rewards to overcomers. John sees heaven's open door, throne with One seated, surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living creatures giving God glory. A scroll sealed with seven seals appears; only the Lamb looking slain yet standing, having seven horns and eyes, proves worthy to open it.