Revelation 1

Sep 9, 2026  •  Pastor Steve Knight


THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

1.     The purpose of the Revelation.

a.     Revelation 1:1-3

b.     The word Revelation is the Greek word apokalypsis means to take away the covering or to unveil.

c.     Apokalypsis unites the past revelation of God in Christ, the present illumination of believers, and the futureunveiling of glory.

d.     1 John 3:2 


2.     The promise of the Revelation.

a.     Revelation 1:4-8

b.     John moves from the revelation of Christ to the identity of Christ.

c.     Jesus is the faithful witness: He tells us what is true.

d.     Jesus is the firstborn from the dead: He conquered death.

e.     Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth: Revelation begins with Christ already being King.

f.      To Him loved us and has washed us from our sins in His own blood: This is about what Jesus has already donefor us.


3.     The place of the Revelation.

a.     Revelation 1:9-11

b.     John was isolated from people, but he was not isolated from God.

c.     John didn’t encounter Jesus while running from God. He encountered Him while worshiping God.

d.     Before we try to understand what Revelation shows us, we need to listen to what Jesus says to us.


4.     The Person of the Revelation.

a.     Revelation 1:12-16 


5.     The Power of the Revelation. 

a.     Revelation 1:17-18

b.     The same John who leaned against Jesus at the Last Supper now falls before Him.

c.     Jesus laid His hand upon John and gave these huge truths: 

I am the first and the last. (Jesus is eternal)  

I am He who lives (He begins with LIFE)

I was dead, and behold, (He physically died, but…)

I am alive forevermore. (Shout of victory) 

I have the keys (key = authority)

of death (Over physical death)

and of Hades. (Realm of the dead)


6.     The plan of the Revelation.

a.     Revelation 1:19-20

b.     The things you have seen—Chapter 1. John’s vision of the glorified Christ.

c.     The things which are—Chapters 2-3. The seven churches, the existing church age and the spiritual condition of Christ’s churches.

d.     The things that will take place after this—Chapters 4-22. The future prophetic events.