John's Vision on Patmos
The last book of the Bible opens with its author on Patmos, a small Aegean island, on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He hears a voice like a trumpet behind him, turns, and falls at the feet of the figure he sees as though dead.
What follows is addressed first to seven named churches in the province of Asia, each letter written to its particular situation — the lukewarm at Laodicea, the persecuted at Smyrna — before opening into the visions of scrolls, seals, trumpets and beasts that have occupied readers ever since.
It ends where Genesis began, and reverses it: a new heaven and a new earth, a city instead of a garden, the tree of life growing on both sides of the river, and the announcement that God will wipe every tear from their eyes — and that death shall be no more.
Where in scripture
[1] This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, [2] who testified to God’s word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw. [3] Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand. [4] 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; [5] 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; …
Revelation 1:1–20 — opening verses
[1] I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. [2] I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. [3] I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.” [5] He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” …
Revelation 21:1–27 — opening verses
[1] He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, [2] in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [3] There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever. …
Revelation 22:1–21 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
