Revelation of the Alpha and Omega

By Joel Hanson and Anna Malison

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 10, 2025
• ISBN: 9798369441800

Joel Hanson

Joel Hanson, with his wife’s editorial gifts, desire to minister to God’s people, with the foundation of God’s word. Joel has ministered as a Bible teacher and church elder for over 35 years in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Joel and Annette are greatly blessed with seven children, and twenty-two grandchildren. It is our hope that the Revelation of the Alpha and Omega, will be a blessing to all who eagerly look for the Lord’s return.

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Revelation

of the

Alpha and Omega

By Joel Hanson

Illustrated by Anna Malison

Copyright © 2025 by Joel Hanson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Rev. date: 03/10/2025

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844-714-8691

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Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema. Maranatha.

1 Corinthians 16:22

Author’s Note

The word Maranatha, is a word found only once in the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 16:22). In the NKJV Maranatha is translated, O Lord, come! The word is of Chaldean origin, and was used by early Christians to encourage one another with the blessed hope of the Lord’s coming.

Twelve years ago, my son David had a terrible fall of 55 feet while he worked on a powerline pole. He survived by the grace of God, but for a long time he was unable to speak. We developed a method of communication with David that made use of a few unique signs, and we also used an alphabet board that made it possible for him to spell out his thoughts. I believe David has the gift of an evangelist because he would often spell out gospel verses or phrases for the doctors and medical staff that attended to his daily medical care. One night, he was tired and only had enough energy to spell Maranatha. The next morning, the doctor was very eager to learn what David had written the night before, and when I showed him David’s alphabet board with the message of Maranatha, he asked what it meant. I replied by sharing David’s love for the Lord and the meaning of the word, which indicated his hope for the return of Christ. The doctor was stunned but managed to say, David has a lot on his mind. In David’s confinement in hospital beds for over a year, he had great assurance and hope in the Lord’s return. May it be true for you and I.

The study of Revelation has been a blessing to me over many years. In a world of dark clouds, turmoil, and uncertainty, the apostle John was given the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1) and the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:2) from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness… (Revelation 1:5). There is a promised blessing in Revelation 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. The One who made this promise can be trusted because He loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. (Revelation 1:5)

It is my desire to share from God’s precious word, to encourage the generations coming up so they are not ignorant of God’s prophetic word, which was revealed in the Old Testament and culminates in Revelation. I would like to encourage my children, grandchildren, and the dear saints at River Valley Christian Assembly in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin to apply themselves diligently to God’s word, and take hold of the promises of God by faith. As we give ourselves to God’s word and desire to know and obey Him, we will find that He will draw near to open our understanding.

Acknowledgments

I would also like to thank Don Ramond and Keith Rawlings for providing me valuable feedback in this study of Revelation. Their knowledge of God’s word, and helpful suggestions in supporting this study were a great help in the work.

Finally, I would like to thank my dear wife Annette for her faithful, extensive work of editing and helping me to refine and complete the writing of this book. She has encouraged me in the Lord’s work and has been a wonderful blessing!

The Coming of the Lord

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: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:16-18

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. Revelation 1:7

There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Romans 11:27

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints…’ Jude 1:14

He which testifieth these things saith, ‘Surely I come quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Acknowledgments

The Coming of the Lord

Book of Revelation

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Appendix 1: When was the book of Revelation written?

Appendix 2: Notes on Revelation 6

Appendix 3: Revelation 13 The Antichrist

Appendix 4: Sources for Revelation 17

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

John 20:31

Book of Revelation

Introduction to the Book of Revelation:

The Book of Revelation inspires awe and wonder in the hearts of all who seek to know God’s word. The book is prophetic and is the culmination of Old and New Testament prophecies. It is God’s revelation of future events to His servants. Those who love and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been called to serve Him. He is the Lord! For His servants who have skill to read, ears to hear, and will heed the inspired prophecy, there is a promised blessing:

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. (Revelation 1:3)

Introduction to Prophecy:

Prophecies in the Bible are God breathed, accurate, and worthy of all our faith. The Holy Spirit has inspired men to write God’s word. God sent chosen prophets who were charged to speak all of God’s word. Fulfilled prophecies were and are verifiable historically in the Bible, and even in secular documents. God held the prophets to a very high standard. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 18:20-22:

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?’ When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

John also wrote a serious warning regarding prophecy in Revelation 22:18-19:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The apostle Peter also spoke about the source and certainty of Bible prophecy saying:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19-21

The Coming Apocalypse:

The Revelation (ἀποκάλυψις apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ, according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance means the disclosure: - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation. The chronology for the book of Revelation will follow in the commentary for chapter one. As the meaning of Revelation indicates, the content of the book reveals the coming apocalypse. Revelation is the last prophetic book in the Bible, but it is supported by many Old Testament prophecies. The prophets often referred to this future time as the day of the LORD. Here are a few examples:

Joel 1:15: Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Isaiah 13:6: Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Zephaniah 2:3: Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

The day of the LORD will be an outpouring of God’s wrath, in a series of terrifying plagues, much like He brought upon ancient Egypt during the Exodus. (See Exodus 7-11) Moses was sent by God to lead His people Israel out of the cruel bondage of Pharaoh and his slave-drivers in Egypt. When Moses stood before Pharaoh and delivered the message to let God’s people go, Pharaoh replied, Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2) Pharaoh’s heart was hard, but he learned, through ten plagues, that the God of Israel was greater than all the powers of Egypt. The false gods that the Egyptians had put their faith in could not deliver them. True to His word, God saved Israel with great signs and wonders.

Many Old and New Testament prophecies confirm that God will work in a similar fashion during the coming apocalypse, but with greater signs, wonders, and fearful plagues to judge wickedness on the earth. Through God’s plagues He will prepare kings and their dominions, throughout the world, for Christ’s coming reign (Isaiah 9:6-7). A promise of God, which will be fulfilled during this time, will be to reconcile Israel to Christ and save a remnant of David’s seed. God’s word and His covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21, 17:7-8, Psalm 105:8-11) and David (2 Samuel 7:12-17, 2 Chronicles 21:7, Psalm 89:3-4) will be fulfilled in their entirety. To say, as some, that Israel has been replaced and that there is no future for the Jews, is to deny hundreds of God’s promises throughout the Old Testament to Israel. (Examples include: Psalm 2:6, 48:2, 69:34-36, 102:16, Isaiah 1:27, 9:7, 24:23, 35:10, 51:11, 52:1, 62:12, Jeremiah 23:5, Joel 3:16-17, Micah 4:2, 7, Zephaniah 3:19-20, Zechariah 14:9, and many more) God’s word is on the line, and it will not fail.

God’s Covenant with Israel:

The events of the Apocalypse, also called the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), will be a world-wide event, but the epicenter will be in Israel. Although a remnant of Israel believed in Christ at His first coming, the religious leaders and a great number of Jews rejected Him. The Lord Jesus lamented:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chicks under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37

The apostle John testified, "He (Christ) came unto His own, and His own received Him not." (John 1:11) Nevertheless, the Old Testament prophets foretold a future for Israel, and the covenant promises of God remain. Despite Israel’s great sin in rejecting their Messiah, God is merciful and faithful to His word. The apostle Paul raises the question and provides the divine position:

I say then, ‘Hath God cast away His people?’ God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew…. Romans 11:1-2

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so, all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, ‘There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.’ Romans 11:25-27

As a nation, Israel has continued in unbelief to this day, and in their blindness, they did not recognize Christ in the day of their visitation. To the present time, the Jews still look for the Messiah to come. When the apocalypse comes, God will permit Satan to empower a false messiah to deceive Israel. The apostle Paul spoke of this in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9:

"And then shall that wicked (one) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."

The Antichrist of the Apocalypse:

The wicked one, also translated as the lawless one, will be a false messiah to the Jews. He has other names such as the Antichrist, (1 John 2:18) the man of sin, and in the same verse, and the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He may also be the abomination of desolation, (Matthew 24:15), and the little horn. (Daniel 7:8) This wicked man will come in the deceptive power of Satan. He will promise great things, and he will enter into a covenant with Israel to protect them from hostile nations. However, he will be unmasked as a deceiver, and he will suddenly break his covenant with Israel (which is foretold in Daniel 9:27, 8:13, 11:36, and 12:11). Christ warned of this betrayal in Matthew 24:15-16:

Therefore, when you see the ‘ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

In His first advent, the Lord Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, and His disciples asked Him questions about future events. They asked, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world? (See Matthew 24:3) The Lord began to reveal the answers, not only to His disciples, but to seekers of God, and for a future remnant of Israel. There are several clues in the context that clearly show that He spoke to a future godly remnant of Israel.

In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21:5-38), the Lord Jesus spoke prophetically of the Jews in a future day, who will pass through the Great Tribulation. He counseled them to pray for God’s help. He specifically advised them to pray that their escape from a wicked man in power, described as the abomination of desolation be not in the winter or on the Sabbath. He further counseled them not to take time to gather provisions, food, or extra clothing, for the Antichrist will be bent on their destruction. (See Matthew 24:16-20)

Satan, will be the mastermind behind this abomination of a man. He will indwell and move him to oppose God’s people. Satan, who opposes God, is the malignant force that will empower the Antichrist, who is also called the son of perdition. The name son of perdition was also given to Judas Iscariot (John 17:12), who betrayed the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. From the beginning of God’s work in Eden (Genesis 1-3), until the consummation (Revelation 20), Satan has and continues to work to undermine the Lord. The Jews and the covenants of God to Israel are under continual attack because Satan is at war against God. He plots and connives to overthrow Israel and the redeemed of God. He seeks to undermine God’s mercy to Israel and to all who follow the Lord, but he will not succeed. God will preserve a remnant of Israel from the Antichrist and will have victory over the power behind him (Romans 11:26, Revelation 7:1-8, all of chapter 12), and at His coming, He will fight for her. (Zachariah 14, Revelation 16:14, 17:14)

The Spirit of Prophecy is Christ:

The Lord Jesus is the glory of the church! The apostle Paul wrote to the church of Colossae saying, "And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18) The word preeminence means first place." God the Father has exalted His Son, who in His humanity, humbled Himself and died to save sinners. In Philippians 2:9-11 we read:

…God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Lord Jesus must have the highest honors and the undivided love and devotion of His servants. We must guard against exalting men or angels. In Revelation 19:10, John was so overjoyed with the angel who spoke with him, that fell into this error; he said, "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he (the angel) said unto me, ‘See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God:’ for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

A test of sound doctrine is what place does it give to the Lord Jesus Christ? This is also true of prophetic doctrine, for it is written, …the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) He must be preeminent in the study of Revelation if we are to spiritually discern its truths.

The Rapture of the Church:

Christ is not only the head and gathering center of the church; He alone is worthy to open the seals of God’s judgments foretold in prophecy. (See Revelation 5:1-14) He is the One that saints and angels in heaven worship.

Just after Christ ascended to heaven, angels spoke with the disciples, saying, …Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11) The Thessalonian believers of the first century looked for the coming of the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) This was and still is the blessed hope of believers. We do not look for the Abomination of Desolations, nor do we look for signs. We do not look for the events of the Great Tribulation because Christ has …delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10) We do look expectantly for Christ; for He will gather His church before the other apocalyptic events unfold.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 there is great assurance and comfort for all who believe in Christ:

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (in death), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. 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: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

This promise of God has been called the rapture of the church, and the wording caught up…in the air is the destiny that God has planned for all who believe in Christ. He has not appointed His church for wrath, but for deliverance from the apocalypse and wrath of God to come. The Lord Jesus Himself will call us, transform our bodies, catch us up into the clouds, and bring His people into the heavenly glory to be with Him eternally. This is the blessed hope of believers!

A Future for Israel in Zion:

God’s mercy does not only extend to Gentile believers. The Lord pleaded with Israel saying, Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3)

In the mercy of God, He will preserve a remnant of the nation of Israel, through the dark days of the Great Tribulation. The remnant of Israel will return to Zion, after their flight, to their true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will take the throne of David and reign in Jerusalem. His reign will be over all the nations and kingdoms of the earth. It will be a glorious day, and the righteousness of His government will be enforced with a rod of iron. (Psalm 2:5-9, Isaiah 9:6-7) All rebellion and resistance will be subdued for His one-thousand-year reign. Here are just a few related prophecies:

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore… So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever. Micah 4:1-3, 7

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Saved from God’s Wrath:

From this rather brief summary of what is to come, we can understand that God’s plan is to prepare Jews and Gentiles for Christ’s second coming. God has already determined that Christians from our present dispensation will not be subjected to His wrath, which will be poured out during the Great tribulation. Those who have been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus, have had their sins judged and paid for in full. We are no longer under God’s wrath. John 3:36 says, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. God’s wrath will come upon the unbelieving, who will not receive Christ as their Savior. Yet the promise remains that …God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ… (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

Some who believe that Christians will go through the Great Tribulation, have noted that the book of Revelation speaks of those who are martyred for their faith during the time of God’s wrath. The question follows, If believers do not go through the time of God’s wrath, then why is there this contradiction? It is a fair question, but how can we reconcile the question with God’s promises in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, and 5:9? The promises are made to believers who are alive before the coming apocalypse or the Great Tribulation. God’s word is sure, and those who believe in Christ during this dispensation of grace will be delivered from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. (Rev. 3:10) However, there will be those who repent and believe in Christ during the apocalypse. There will be powerful witnesses of angels, and heavenly signs. There will also be two messengers from God who will perform great signs, and there will be God’s written word. Those who believe God and trust in Christ after the close of this present dispensation of grace, will not be saved from the Great Tribulation, but through it, by the grace of God.

A Time-line of the End of the Age:

The beginning of the church age was initiated by the coming of the Holy Spirit at the Feast of Pentecost, following Christ’s ascension. (See Acts 1-2) The church age is also called the dispensation of grace in Ephesians 3:2. (See also Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:25) This period of time is an economy of God’s working to save sinners and gather them into His glorious church. This age of God’s grace is an open door of salvation to all who respond in faith to the Lord Jesus. This period, known only to God the Father, will be completed at the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). During this glorious event the saints will be gathered to Christ, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in them will also be taken out of the way. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:7) The Holy Spirit has been at work convicting and reproving the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:8) However, in God’s time, this ministry will conclude, and then the Antichrist, also called the wicked one, will emerge to do his dirty work. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 reveals:

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (restrains) will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked (lawless on) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit (or breath) of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."

According to the prophet Daniel and several passages in Revelation, the period of time of Satan’s working through the Antichrist will be seven years. The lawless one will deceive Israel and make a covenant with them at the outset of this seven-year period. Midway, after three and a half years, he will break his covenant, profane the temple, and bring abominations in a holocaust against Israel. This reign of terror will give rise to severe judgments of God. At the conclusion of the seven-year time, Satan will gather the nations to destroy what is left of Israel, and then Christ will come. His coming will bring a swift end to the Antichrist, and Satan will be bound for a thousand years. Christ will reign for a millennium and fulfill His covenant to David and Israel.

This timeline will be explored more fully, as we look closer at each chapter of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Dating of Revelation:

The first verse specifically introduces the book as The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place… Early Christian writers are almost all in agreement that the book was written during the reign of the Roman ruler Domitian, and was penned around A.D. 95 or 96. (Irenaeus, Victorinus, and Eusebius are among these early writers, as quoted in Appendix 1) It is the view of the author that there is strong support among Bible historians for this date, which also places the time 25-26 years after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 by the Roman armies of Titus. Revelation is universally recognized as the last inspired book of the Bible, written by John, the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 John 2:28

Revelation: Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Introduction:

In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John, and to all who read, hear, and take heed to the word of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is revealed in resurrection glory, that at first was so awesome and fearful that John fell at His feet as a dead man. Nevertheless, the Lord laid His right hand on John, and said to him, Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. The revelation of Jesus Christ has great reassurance for the people who trust in the Lord for the forgiveness of sins, but for the unbelieving, there are fearful warnings to repent. The Revelation is prophetic of things which must shortly take place. (See Revelation 22:6)

Chapter 1 - verses 1-3:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.