This first chapter is very important because it sets up and defines the subject around which the book is written.  To fully understand the rest of the book you must absorb the information contained in these opening verses and the commentary given to John from Jesus Christ through His angel.  So, let's get into it by asking a few basic questions.  The name, Revelation, means a revealing, but whose revealing is it?  From whom did it come?  To whom, for whom, by whom, and for what purpose was it sent?

Rev. 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Why was it sent?  To shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;

What servants, and when was it to be revealed to them?  It is obvious that the servants here are the servants of Jesus Christ, but the  when thing is not so evident.  This whole statement requires some serious consideration in view of the fact that over 1,900 years have passed, and there is no convincing evidence that any of the end time events described in the book have yet come to pass.  With this in mind, it is pretty obvious that the word shortly here does not mean that the end time events written in Revelation would happen during John's life, but rather would occur at a point in time far into the future.

In any case, one thing is sure, this Revelation was not given for Jesus Christ's servants living in John's day, or for those servants living at any time in between then and up to the 20th century.  So it must be more so for those servants living at the time of the end to whom the book is given, to reveal to them those events that will shortly come to pass in their lifetime.  That probably means us living now.  More on this in verse 3 below where you will see that Revelation is actually a book of prophecy concerning the events surrounding the revealing of the promised Messiah to the world.

Rev. 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Rev. 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy,  In these two clauses John seems to say that reading or hearing the words of this book makes one happy, but there is more talk to it than that.  Sadly, in John's day and for many centuries afterward the masses were basically illiterate.  They could not read or write.  Up until now the majority of the people had to have the written word read to them, and the word of God preached to them.  If the reader, preacher, or teacher was good they benefited, but if he or she was not good, then they still were basically in the dark.  Simply reading or hearing the words is not enough, one has to understand them to receive any benefit, to be truly blessed or happy.

and they that hear the words of this prophecy, John calls it a book of prophecy here, but it is more than that.  It also instructs us, admonishes us, and encourages us, so it is also pastoral.

and keep those things which are written therein:  And so we should observe to carefully consider and do those things in this book that instructs us, admonishes us, and encourages us.

For the time is at hand for what or whom?  The wording implies immediacy.  So, here we are back to the when thing again.  The Greek word translated time here is kairos (Strong's No. 2540) and means a specific time of limited duration.  It does not mean time in the general sense, the Greek word for that is chronos (Strong's No. 5550).  In other words, it is referring to a very specific time (kairos) called the day of the Lord  by the prophets in the Old Testament.  More on this in verse 10 below.  Hopefully, you will see this clearly as we continue through the book.

Assuming that this is true     and it is     what important implication does this verse have?  As I stated at verse 1 above, we have to seriously consider the time element here.  That is to realize that 1,900 years have passed since John penned Revelation and the end time things described in the book have not yet occurred.  Taking this into consideration it can be safely concluded that Revelation was not so much written for those who lived in 96 A.D., or even 1896, but for those who would live at a later time, a time which we could properly call the end time.  This conclusion is reinforced by the fact that the Apocalypse, or book of Revelation (whichever you prefer to call it), wasn't even accepted as genuine by many church leaders and scholars until after 400 A.D.

Well then, if it is for people living at a later time, how much later?  God only knows, and because we don't know to a certainty, it becomes incumbent upon us who are living now at the beginning of the 21st century to at least assume that we are the ones living at the end time, and to prepare ourselves for the second appearance of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah.

Okay, now to reinforce the idea that the time was not at hand for those who lived prior to the end time, let's break verse 3 down further and consider some things.

1)  he that readeth.  Only a very small percentage of the people could read and write in John's day, and even today there are some still in that situation.  The ones who could read and write were mostly teachers, scribes and lawyers, and they used this to great advantage over the common folk.  Only recently, in the last hundred years or so, have the masses begun to become literate, even in first world nations.

2)  they that hear.  This not only means to perceive the sound of what is said but also means to understand the meaning of what is said.  It is doubtful that anyone living from John's day until now understood this apocalypse, even if they had occasion to read it, or to hear it read to them.  Why?  There are several reasons, but the main reason is because it was sealed until the time of the end, our time now.  We shall see that later when we integrate some of the book of Daniel into Revelation.

3)  keep those things.  Meaning to watch for and to hold fast, but one cannot do this without understanding what to watch for, and what to hold fast.

4)  for the time is at hand.  It should be obvious to all by now that the time was not at hand for those living then because that was over 1,900 years ago.

Rev. 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Rev. 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Rev. 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev.1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.

There is a lot more to this verse than meets the eye.  When Jesus can finally be seen by the inhabitants of the Earth all hell will be breaking loose, and that is the reason for the wailing.  It  will be lamentation by reason of  the unthinkable catastrophe that is occurring upon the Earth.  This is the prophesied end of the world that we all have feared and talked about throughout the ages.  I know that the very idea is frightening to say the least, but be of good comfort and know that it is not the ultimate end of all things.  It is only the end of this present flesh age and the concept of time as we know it.

On the positive side, think of it as a new beginning for all of us, both good and bad, because that is exactly what it will be.  The faithful and righteous ones will understand what is happening and will not be as confused and terrified as the rest of mankind will be during that time, but it will certainly be a time of intense mixed emotions for them as well.  Sadness, fear, and trepidation, because the end of all flesh is come, and yet great joy because their redemption is near.  In Luke, Jesus offered comfort to those who were His concerning these things that were to come to pass at the end.

Luke 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Rev.1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

This verse is a statement using a figure of speech intended to convey totality and completeness.  The One speaking here is telling us that He is the One in control, without peer in power and authority.  He is the one and only promised Messiah, there is no other.

Rev. 1:9  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev. 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Spirit means the Holy Spirit.  Lord's day here is referring to the day of the Lord, sometimes also called the great and terrible day of the Lord, as spoken of by the prophets since time began.  John is not talking about a weekly sabbath day.  No, not Saturday, nor Sunday, nor any other day of the week, but he is speaking of a time relating to the end of this age and the second appearance of the Lord.  The mention of a trumpet here is referring to a specific holy day that God told ancient Israel to observe throughout their generations.  It is the Feast of Trumpets and it occurs each year on the first day of the seventh month.  This day that the trumpets were blown was the first of several autumnal festivals that God commanded ancient Israel to observe every year in perpetuity.  They are the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles, sometimes called the Feast of Booths (Sukkot).

Consider the great voice and trumpet here.  When does Christ return?  At the time of the last trump.

1 Corinthians 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

If you can't grasp this idea you won't understand the book!  Revelation reveals the events that lead up to and beyond the second advent of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Rev. 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Rev. 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Ex. 25:31  And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Ex. 25:32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:

Ex. 25:33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

Ex. 25:34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.

Ex. 25:35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.

Ex. 25:36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.

Ex. 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

Ex. 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

Ex. 25:39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.

Ex. 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Zech. 4:2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

Rev. 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Rev. 1:14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Rev. 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Acts 2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome,  Jews and proselytes,

Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Please notice in the verses above that Christ's disciples were not speaking in an unknown tongue (unintelligible gibberish), but all the people listening each heard and understood them in their own individual native tongue as they spoke.  What an incredible thing!  The speakers were all probably speaking in Hebrew or Aramaic but the people heard them, and understood them, as if they were speaking their own native tongue or dialect, no matter how different it was from the Hebrew or Aramaic languages.

Rev. 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Rev. 1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Matt. 17:1  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Matt. 17:2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Rev. 1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Concerning this, there is something here for us to ponder.  John was called the beloved disciple and was closest of all the apostles to Jesus, yet he was overcome when he saw Him here.  The Bible records that when other men have been confronted with a Theophany they reacted similarly because it is an extremely rare occurrence for God to appear to men.  How would you react if you suddenly came face to face with Him?  If you were like Daniel and others in the Bible, it would be a frightful and unnerving experience.  It would literally scare the hell out of you, so don't believe those who flippantly proclaim to have personal intimate interactive contact with God.  One who is famous, stands before the television cameras daily and infers that Jesus routinely talks to him.  Liar!  Blasphemer!

Rev. 1:19  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Rev. 1:20  The 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 which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Now we basically know what churches are and are not, but what are angels?  Here seven of them are assigned, one for each of the seven churches.  They are spirit beings who perform many special functions for God, and are often sent as messengers.  Some angels are considered to be of a higher order called archangels.  They have charge of other angels.  Two are mentioned in Revelation   Michael and Gabriel.  Some believe and teach that Lucifer is a deposed archangel but that claim is not supported biblically.  Rather, he is said to be a cherub, not an archangel, even though he has angels who admire and follow him.  He is a rebel opposed to God, as are those who follow him, and they will surely perish along with their hero.

God bless with understanding of His word.