Revelation 1:1

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[This is the record of] the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave [Him] to show to His servants. [It contains] the things which were soon to happen, and Christ sent His angel [i.e., messenger] to inform His servant, [the apostle] John, [about them].

Cross References

John 12:49

For I did not speak from myself [i.e., on my own authority], but the Father Himself, who sent me, has ordered me what to say and speak.

John 15:15

You [apostles] did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear much fruit [i.e., through their evangelizing], and that your fruit should last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask Him for in my name [i.e. by my authority].

John 17:8

because I have given them the message you gave me, and they accepted it. They [also] knew for certain that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

John 3:32

He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony.

John 8:26

I have many things to say about you and [many] judgments to pass on you. However, God, who sent me, is truthful and I am telling the world [only] the things I have heard from Him.”

Romans 16:25

– See Verse 27

Galatians 1:12

[Furthermore], I did not receive this [Gospel message] from any person, nor was I taught it [by anyone]. Instead, it came to me through [a divine] revelation from Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:3

[It is] that God’s secret plan [i.e., revealed in the Gospel preached to Gentiles. See verse 6] was made known to me by way of a revelation. [See Acts 9:15; 22:21]. I have already written to you [about this] briefly [i.e., probably a reference to 1:9ff].

Titus 1:1

[This letter is from] Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle for [the benefit of] the faith of God’s elect [i.e., His chosen people] and [to spread] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness,

Revelation 1:19

“So, write down the things that you have seen, and the things now going on, and the things that will happen later on.

Revelation 1:9

I [am] John, your brother who participates with you in the suffering and kingdom and endurance [which we experience] in [fellowship with] Jesus. I was on the island called Patmos for [preaching] God’s message and for testifying about Jesus. [Note: Patmos was located in the Aegean Sea between present-day Greece and Turkey].

Revelation 17:1

Then one of the seven angels, who had the seven bowls, came and spoke to me, saying, “Come [here]; I will show you the punishment [to fall] on the great prostitute who is situated on many bodies of waters.

Revelation 19:10

Then I fell down in front of him to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am [only] a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers who hold onto the testimony about Jesus. You should worship God. For the testimony about Jesus is the spirit [i.e., the purpose, or source] of prophecy.”

Revelation 19:9

Then the angel said to me [See 17:1; 18:1-2], “Write [this]: Those who are invited to the wedding reception of the Lamb are blessed.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Revelation 21:2

And I [also] saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:9

Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues [i.e., judgments, See 15:1], came and spoke to me, saying, “Come here, [and] I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

Revelation 22:1

Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb,

Revelation 22:16

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:6

Then the angel [See 21:9] said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His servants [i.e., through the apostle John] the things that must happen soon [See 1:1].

Revelation 22:8

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.

Revelation 22:9

But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am [only] a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who obey the words of this book. You should worship God.”

Revelation 4:1

After [seeing all] these things, I looked, and there in heaven I saw [a vision of] an open door, and the voice I had first heard speaking to me like [the sound of] a trumpet [See 1:10], said, “Come up here [i.e., to heaven], and I will show you the things which must happen after these things [i.e., the things just revealed].”

Revelation 5:7

And the Lamb came and took the book from the right hand of God, who sat on His throne.