John’s Vision of Christ

I, John,(A) your brother and companion in the suffering(B) and kingdom(C) and patient endurance(D) that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God(E) and the testimony of Jesus.(F) 10 On the Lord’s Day(G) I was in the Spirit,(H) and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,(I) 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see(J) and send it to the seven churches:(K) to Ephesus,(L) Smyrna,(M) Pergamum,(N) Thyatira,(O) Sardis,(P) Philadelphia(Q) and Laodicea.”(R)

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,(S) 13 and among the lampstands(T) was someone like a son of man,[a](U) dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet(V) and with a golden sash around his chest.(W) 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.(X) 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace,(Y) and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.(Z) 16 In his right hand he held seven stars,(AA) and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword.(AB) His face was like the sun(AC) shining in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet(AD) as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me(AE) and said: “Do not be afraid.(AF) I am the First and the Last.(AG) 18 I am the Living One; I was dead,(AH) and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!(AI) And I hold the keys of death and Hades.(AJ)

19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen,(AK) what is now and what will take place later.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 1:13 See Daniel 7:13.

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.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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:

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.

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

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To the Church in Ephesus

“To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus(A) write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand(B) and walks among the seven golden lampstands.(C) I know your deeds,(D) your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested(E) those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.(F) You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name,(G) and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.(H) Consider how far you have fallen! Repent(I) and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand(J) from its place.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Or messenger; also in verses 8, 12 and 18

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

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