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Revelation 1 Bible study: The testimony of Jesus Christ
"I turned to see the voice that spoke with me." (1:12). John turned to see a voice. Having turned, he says, "I saw seven golden lamp stands" (1:12), and "among the lamp stands was one like a son of man" (1:13).
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“John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;”
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“In Revelation 1:9, John calls himself "your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus".”
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What's really going on
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
The book's first words name it: "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (1:1). The rest of 1:1, with 1:3, is set out in the honest question How do Christians read Revelation?, beside the readings that rest on it. Of John, whom 1:1 names, 1:2 says that he is the one "who testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw" (1:2) (tap testified and testimony). Then the greeting: "John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;" (1:4) (tap assemblies) "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood—" (1:5) "and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1:6). 1:7 is set out in the same honest question. Then: "“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”" (1:8). These notes explain none of these verses further than their own words, and they apply what is said to the seven assemblies to no church, denomination or time today.
Where the Old Testament leads here
A Kingdom, priests to his God
Exodus 19:6leads toRevelation 1:5-6
Israel was to be "a kingdom of priests" (19:6). Revelation speaks of "Jesus Christ… who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood— and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father" (Revelation 1:5-6). Revelation doesn't cite Exodus. Many readers see 19:6 behind these words; others read them simply as what Jesus has done, without a link to this verse.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Revelation 1
That was a taste
The rest of Revelation 1 is waiting in Favor
- I John, your brother
- Seven golden lamp stands
- When I saw him
- Lines that land here
- Set beside this chapter elsewhere in Favor
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- 8 questions as you read
- 11 more Greek words
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The Greek word behind it
μαρτυρίαmartyriasay mar-too-REE-ah
Strong's gives its English as "record, report, testimony, witness". "and of the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:2), and "because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:9): behind testimony in both is this one noun, and both times it is the testimony "of Jesus Christ". Revelation has it nine times, in eight verses (counted in RP2018, and in all eight editions TAGNT compares), and these two are its first.
For your group
Revelation 1 Bible study questions
- 1John calls himself "your brother" (1:9). What changes when you think of other believers as family?
- 2"I turned to see the voice that spoke with me." (1:12). What helps you stop and turn toward what God is saying in a busy week?
- 3"What you see, write in a book and send" (1:11). Is there something God has shown you that you would want to write down and pass on to someone?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Revelation 1 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
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Questions
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Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
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Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home