Revelation 1:9 - 16

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

John writes he is a brother and companion of those in the tribulation, kingdom, and patience of Jesus Christ meaning “the kingdom” or the church, was in existence at the time he wrote this book.

The model prayer, or the Lord's prayer with the phrase, “Thy kingdom come” is no longer valid, there is no longer need to pray for Christ's kingdom to come. It has been here since Acts chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost the year of the Lord's death, resurrection, and ascension.

John was on the isle of Patmos when he wrote the book of Revelations. The isle itself is described by Rand-McNally Bible Atlas as follows: "Patmos, to which the apostle John was banished. This lies 20 miles south of the island of Samos, 24 miles west of Asia Minor, and about 70 miles southwest of Ephesus. It is about 20 miles in circumference, and is rocky and barren. Its loneliness and seclusion made it a suitable place for the banishment of criminals; and to it the apostle John was banished by the emperor Domitian, near the close of the first Christian century."

John writes he was on this isle because he had been banished to this lonely isle as a punishment by the Roman emperor because he was preaching the word of God.

John writes “I was in the Spirit” meaning he was seeing a vision, he was not conscience, he was sleeping or in a trance. In this dream he was given this information by an angel of God. (verse 1) This was on the Lord's day, we do not know which first day of the week this was. We just know that Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week so we know if John wrote that this happened on the “Lord's day” he meant it was on the first day of a week. The New Testament church met on the first day of the week to remember Christ's death and resurrection (Acts 20:7), Paul instructed the church to take up the collection on the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 16:1 - 2)

Everything we read in the Book of Revelation was given to John near the end of the first century, approximately 2000 years ago. From the letters to the churches to the appearance of heaven and the judgment day, and the destruction in between was given to John at that time. Our study will show most of the prophesy has already been fulfilled.

He heard a voice like a loud trumpet, it was vibratory in nature and a far reaching sound.

It was sounding as if it were behind him so he could hear it before he could see any of the tremendous display of spiritual imagery.

This voice identifies who He is, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, just like verse eight it describes Christ who was with God before the foundation of the earth,(Hebrews 1:10) and continues His rule with God. (1 Peter 3:22)

He names the seven churches of the district of Asia of which he is to write to. He is told to write what he experiences during this vision.

He then turns to face the voice and sees seven lampstands, again the number is seven, meaning completeness. Lampstands as are described in Exodus 25.

Most of the wording is as if Christ were speaking personally to John, however we know Christ is at the right hand of God and will remain there until the Day of Judgment. (Hebrews 10:12 – 13) The message from Christ is relayed to the angel of God (verse 1)(Revelation 22:8) and then given to John for him to write as instructed.

John sees a being such as Christ, dressed in a long robe such as would be worn by priests, and having a golden band around the chest which is symbolic of his rule as a king. And it is appropriate because He is our High Priest and King. (Zechariah 6:13)

His head and hair are white which is representative of purity and glory. His eyes are like a flame which is active and penetrating. Fire of course burns away the impurities and leaves only the precious.

The brass feet are described as brass, which means some metal like gold if not more precious. (Thayer) They are like being burned in a furnace which indicates brightness of appearance.

A voice like many waters show figuratively many people, all this shows along with the previous verse, Christ being one of dignity and authority.

The seven stars in the right hand show the ability of God to have everything in hand and under control. We will see in verse 20 the meaning of the seven stars.

The sharp two-edged sword represents the word of God. (Hebrews 4:12)

His countenance or face is one which is like the shining sun on a clear day. This is to show the penetrating brilliance of Christ.