Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Revelation
Revelation is the Bible's final book, a prophecy unveiling the glorified Jesus Christ, the triumph of God over all evil, and the new heaven and new earth. It opens with an overwhelming vision of the risen Lord, the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Book of Revelation was given to the apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos 'for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ,' likely in the mid-90s AD. Its name means 'unveiling,' and it is the revelation of Jesus Christ, showing His present glory and His future triumph. It contains letters to seven churches, visions of God's throne and judgments, the defeat of evil, and the glorious consummation in a new heaven and new earth where God dwells with His people forever.
This commentary covers Revelation verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. Revelation opens by unveiling the glorified Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Almighty, the one true God revealed in flesh, now reigning in majesty and holding the keys of death. Its final promise is the return of Christ and the eternal dwelling of God with His redeemed. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
All twenty-two chapters of Revelation are now complete, from the unveiling of the glorified Christ to the new heaven and new earth and the final prayer, 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.'
Author
The apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos.
Setting
A prophecy given to John on Patmos, likely mid-90s AD.
Key Themes
The glorified Christ, the triumph of God, and the new creation.
Famous Titles
The Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Almighty.
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Revelation Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Revelation 1:1-20
I Am the Alpha and the Omega
The final book unveils the glorified Christ, who declares Himself the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty. John sees Him in blazing majesty and hears, 'I am He who lives, and was dead... and I have the keys of Hades and of Death.'
Read Chapter 1 →Revelation 2:1-29
What the Spirit Saith to the Churches
The risen Christ's letters to Ephesus ('thou hast left thy first love'), Smyrna ('be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,' from 'the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive'), Pergamos ('where Satan's seat is'), and Thyatira ('I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts'). Each ends: 'He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.'
Read Chapter 2 →Revelation 3:1-22
Behold, I Stand at the Door, and Knock
Christ's letters to Sardis ('thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead'), Philadelphia ('an open door, and no man can shut it,' from 'he that hath the key of David'), and Laodicea ('because thou art lukewarm... I will spue thee out of my mouth,' from 'the beginning of the creation of God'). The tender call rings out: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.'
Read Chapter 3 →Revelation 4:1-11
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
A door opens in heaven and John sees the throne of God, One seated in glory like jasper and sardine stone, ringed by a rainbow. The four and twenty elders cast their crowns before the throne, and the living creatures never cease: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come... for thou hast created all things.'
Read Chapter 4 →Revelation 5:1-14
Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain
A sealed book waits in God's hand, and none is found worthy to open it, until 'the Lion of the tribe of Juda' appears as 'a Lamb as it had been slain.' Heaven sings the new song of redemption, 'thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood,' and every creature worships 'him that sitteth upon the throne, and... the Lamb for ever and ever.'
Read Chapter 5 →Revelation 6:1-17
The Great Day of His Wrath Is Come
The Lamb opens the first six seals. Four horsemen ride, conquest, war, famine, and death, each by power 'given' from the throne. The martyrs cry from under the altar, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true?' The sixth seal shakes heaven and earth, and the mighty flee 'the wrath of the Lamb': 'who shall be able to stand?'
Read Chapter 6 →Revelation 7:1-17
Washed White in the Blood of the Lamb
Before the storm, God seals His servants in their foreheads, the hundred and forty-four thousand of Israel. Then a great multitude of every nation stands before the throne in white robes, crying, 'Salvation to our God.' They 'washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,' and 'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.'
Read Chapter 7 →Revelation 8:1-13
The Prayers of the Saints and the Trumpets
The seventh seal opens in silence, and the prayers of all the saints ascend with incense at the golden altar before God, who answers with fire. The first four trumpets sound, striking earth, sea, rivers, and sky, each on 'the third part,' and an eagle cries, 'Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth.'
Read Chapter 8 →Revelation 9:1-21
Yet They Repented Not
The fifth trumpet opens the bottomless pit, and demonic locusts torment all but those sealed by God; their king is Abaddon, Apollyon, the Destroyer. The sixth looses an army at the Euphrates that slays the third part of men. Yet the survivors 'repented not', for judgment alone cannot turn a heart that only grace can change.
Read Chapter 9 →Revelation 10:1-11
Sweet as Honey, Bitter in the Belly
A mighty angel clothed with a cloud stands on sea and land, seven thunders are sealed, and he swears by the eternal Creator that 'there should be time no longer': at the seventh trumpet 'the mystery of God should be finished.' John eats the little book, 'sweet as honey' in his mouth and 'bitter' in his belly, and is told, 'Thou must prophesy again.'
Read Chapter 10 →Revelation 11:1-19
The Kingdoms Are Become the Lord's and His Christ's
God measures His temple to preserve His own, and two witnesses prophesy in sackcloth, are slain by the beast, and are raised by 'the Spirit of life from God.' Then the seventh trumpet sounds and heaven proclaims, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.'
Read Chapter 11 →Revelation 12:1-17
They Overcame Him by the Blood of the Lamb
The woman clothed with the sun brings forth the man child who is caught up to God's throne, while the great red dragon, 'that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,' is cast down from heaven. The saints' victory is revealed: 'they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.'
Read Chapter 12 →Revelation 13:1-18
The Beast, the False Prophet, and the Mark
The dragon wages war through two beasts: a blasphemous beast from the sea whom the world worships, and a false prophet from the earth who deceives with wonders, makes an image, and brands all with 'a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads', 'the number of a man... Six hundred threescore and six.' Through it all: 'Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.'
Read Chapter 13 →Revelation 14:1-20
The Lamb on Mount Zion and the Everlasting Gospel
The Lamb stands on Mount Zion with the redeemed, who bear 'his Father's name written in their foreheads.' Three angels proclaim 'the everlasting gospel' to every nation, the fall of Babylon, and the doom of beast-worship. 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,' and the Son of man reaps the harvest of the earth.
Read Chapter 14 →Revelation 15:1-8
The Song of Moses and the Lamb
The prelude to the last judgments: the victors over the beast stand on a sea of glass and sing 'the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb', 'just and true are thy ways... for thou only art holy.' Seven angels receive seven golden vials 'full of the wrath of God,' and the temple is filled with the smoke of His glory.
Read Chapter 15 →Revelation 16:1-21
It Is Done: The Vials of the Wrath of God
The seven vials fill up the wrath of God: sores, blood, scorching fire, darkness. Heaven declares, 'true and righteous are thy judgments,' yet men 'blasphemed... and repented not.' Lying spirits gather the kings to Armageddon, and the seventh vial brings the great voice from the throne: 'It is done.' In the midst: 'Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth.'
Read Chapter 16 →Revelation 17:1-18
The Lamb Is Lord of Lords and King of Kings
The great whore Babylon, arrayed in purple and gold yet 'drunken with the blood of the saints,' rides the scarlet beast. The angel interprets her mystery and the doomed kings who 'make war with the Lamb'; but 'the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings.' Even the beast turns on the whore, for 'God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will.'
Read Chapter 17 →Revelation 18:1-24
Come Out of Her, My People
The great dirge over fallen Babylon. An angel of glory cries, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,' and a voice from heaven calls, 'Come out of her, my people.' The kings, merchants, and sailors wail 'afar off' as her riches vanish 'in one hour,' while heaven rejoices, 'for God hath avenged you on her.'
Read Chapter 18 →Revelation 19:1-21
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords
Heaven cries 'Alleluia', 'the Lord God omnipotent reigneth', and 'the marriage of the Lamb is come.' Then heaven opens and the King rides forth on a white horse: 'Faithful and True,' 'his name is called The Word of God,' bearing the title 'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.' The beast and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire.
Read Chapter 19 →Revelation 20:1-15
The Great White Throne
Satan is bound a thousand years, and the faithful 'lived and reigned with Christ'; 'the second death hath no power' over those in the first resurrection. Satan is loosed, defeated, and cast into the lake of fire forever. Then all the dead stand before 'a great white throne,' the books are opened, and 'whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.'
Read Chapter 20 →Revelation 21:1-27
Behold, I Make All Things New
A new heaven and new earth, and 'the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God.' 'The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them'; 'God shall wipe away all tears.' The One on the throne says, 'Behold, I make all things new... I am Alpha and Omega.' The city needs no temple or sun, 'for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it,' and 'the Lamb is the light thereof.'
Read Chapter 21 →Revelation 22:1-21
Even So, Come, Lord Jesus
The last chapter of the Bible. The river and tree of life flow from 'the throne of God and of the Lamb'; 'there shall be no more curse,' and 'they shall see his face.' Christ declares, 'I am Alpha and Omega... I Jesus... the root and the offspring of David.' The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come,' and Scripture closes: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.'
Read Chapter 22 →