Vision · Biblical Visions and Future Hope
John's vision on Patmos
John's vision on PatmosRevelation 1:9–20About AD 95 (or the late 60s)VisionPlacement debated
On the island of Patmos John sees the risen Christ among seven lampstands and is told to write to the seven churches.
- Main passage Revelation 1:9–20
- Related Revelation 2:1–3:22
People John the apostle
Places named Patmos Revelation 1:9
- Place in the order
- Disputed placement Where this belongs in the sequence is debated; the placement here is an editorial choice.
- When it was seen
- About AD 95 (or the late 60s) Disputed date
Early tradition dates Revelation to the reign of Domitian (about AD 95); some scholars argue for the late 60s. Revelation names its author as John; that he is John the apostle is the church's traditional view.
Proposals: About AD 95 (Domitian); Late 60s AD (Nero)
Read it
Revelation 1:9–20 WEB
9I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet 11saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. 13And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter. 20The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.