Revelation Chapter One, The Message To The Churches

Revelation 1:11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Verse 11 repeats what Christ spoke in verse 8, further confirming that it is the Lord Jesus Christ and not God the Father speaking with John. How do we know this? In verse 1 John records that this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which the Father gave to Him to show John. In verse 12, John turns to see who spoke to him, and beholds the glorified Christ, fulfilling the Father’s will by revealing these things.

Revelation Chapter One, The Lord's Day

Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

Verse 10 opens with John worshipping or having fellowship with God on the Lord’s Day. He is, “in the Spirit.” Paul speaks about being in the Spirit in Galatians, contrasting our state of being with living carnally. He refers to this as walking in the Spirit, verses walking in the flesh.

Revelation Chapter One, Patmos

Revelation 1:9b I, John…was on the island of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea, located 37 miles southwest of Miletus. The island was a political prison, a place of exile that Roman emperors used to put away dissidents. John was apparently such a one for the testimony he preached regarding the unique and supreme nature of Jesus Christ.

Revelation Chapter One, Companionship

Revelation 1:9a I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,

Verse 8 appears to be the conclusion of John’s greeting, with verse 9 beginning the purpose of Christ’s revelation to him. Verse 4 solidified that this letter was (initially) to the seven churches of Asia. John states that he was both a brother and companion to these churches.