Revelation 1:11 kjv
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Revelation 1:11 nkjv
saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
Revelation 1:11 niv
which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
Revelation 1:11 esv
saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
Revelation 1:11 nlt
It said, "Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."
Revelation 1 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
| Rev 1:8 | “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” | Identifies God as Alpha and Omega, similar divine title. |
| Rev 1:17 | When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.” | Jesus claims "the First and the Last," confirming His divine identity here. |
| Rev 2:8 | “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the First and the Last, who died and came to life.” | Jesus uses the title when addressing Smyrna, confirming Him as speaker. |
| Rev 21:6 | And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” | God the Father also uses "Alpha and Omega," demonstrating divine unity. |
| Rev 22:13 | “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” | Jesus re-affirms this absolute divine title at the close of Revelation. |
| Isa 41:4 | Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. | Old Testament echo of God's eternality and uniqueness as "the first...with the last." |
| Isa 44:6 | Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god." | God as "the first and the last," asserting monotheism and His exclusive divinity. |
| Isa 48:12 | “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called: I am he; I am the first, and I am the last." | God speaking as "the first" and "the last," affirming His eternal existence. |
| Exo 17:14 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua..." | Command to write God's words in a book, precedent for written revelation. |
| Deut 31:19 | Now therefore write this song for yourselves and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths... | Divine instruction for Moses to write for future generations. |
| Jer 30:2 | “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you." | Prophetic instruction to record divine words, parallel to John's command. |
| Hab 2:2 | And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." | Command to write down a vision clearly, similar to John's task. |
| Rev 1:19 | “Write therefore the things which you have seen, those which are and those which will take place after this." | Confirms John's writing task, scope of Revelation (past, present, future). |
| Rev 14:13 | And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit... | Another command to John within Revelation to write specific divine declarations. |
| Rev 2:1 | “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands...’” | Begins the letter to Ephesus, the first of the seven churches. |
| Rev 3:22 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. | Concludes the letters to the churches, emphasizing a collective message. |
| Act 19:10 | This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. | Highlights the prominence and extensive Christian presence in the Roman province of Asia. |
| 1 Pet 1:1 | Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia... | Lists Asia as a significant region with a Christian population receiving apostolic letters. |
| Zec 4:2 | And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps." | Symbolism of "seven" as complete or perfect, as "seven lampstands" in Revelation represent the churches. |
| Rom 1:7 | To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Example of early Christian letters addressed to specific local churches. |
| Gal 1:2 | and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia... | Another example of an apostolic letter sent to a group of churches in a region. |
Revelation 1 verses
Revelation 1 11 Meaning
This verse presents a divine self-declaration by a powerful voice, identifying as the ultimate authority ("Alpha and Omega, the first and the last"). It then issues a direct command to John to record what he is seeing into a book. This book is specifically designated to be sent to seven prominent Christian congregations located in the Roman province of Asia, listing them by name: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation 1 11 Context
Revelation 1:11 appears amidst John's profound visionary experience on the island of Patmos. Having declared a blessing upon those who read, hear, and heed the words of prophecy (Rev 1:3), and following a salutation from the triune Godhead, John recounts being "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" (Rev 1:10) and hearing a loud voice. This voice, as identified in this verse and further revealed later, is that of Jesus Christ. The command to write serves to formalize the unfolding revelation, emphasizing its divine origin and crucial importance for a wide audience. The seven churches were actual, significant congregations in the Roman province of Asia, chosen likely because they formed a circuit that a messenger would follow, covering major Christian centers that faced distinct spiritual challenges relevant to all churches across time. The historical context includes increasing Roman imperial cult worship (a direct challenge to Christian monotheism and Christ's lordship), emerging heresies, and general moral decay, all of which form the backdrop for the specific commendations and corrections given to each church in chapters 2 and 3.
Revelation 1 11 Word analysis
- I am Alpha and Omega:
I am: (Gr. Egō eimi – ἐγὼ εἰμί) This phrasing resonates with the divine self-designation "I AM" from Exo 3:14 (Septuagint Egō eimi ho ōn). It declares absolute being and pre-existence, echoing the very essence of God.Alpha and Omega: (Gr. to Alpha kai to Ōmega – τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ). Alpha (Α) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega (Ω) is the last. This signifies comprehensive existence from beginning to end, absolute eternality, and complete sovereignty over all things, including history. It asserts unique divine authority, with no rival or peer. This phrase directly challenges any pagan deity or human emperor's claim to ultimate power.
- the first and the last:
- (Gr. ho Prōtos kai ho Eschatos – ὁ Πρῶτος καὶ ὁ Ἔσχατος). This is an interpretative expansion of "Alpha and Omega," reiterating the same theological weight. It emphasizes absolute priority (origin of all) and ultimate finality (consummation of all). It's a title directly applied to the Lord God in Isaiah and to Jesus Christ in Revelation, affirming His co-equal deity with the Father.
- and, What thou seest:
and: (Gr. kai – καί) Connects the speaker's identity directly to the command given, underscoring the authority behind the instruction.What thou seest: (Gr. ha blepeis – ἃ βλέπεις) "What you are seeing." Implies an immediate, active, divine revelation witnessed by John, not imagined or reasoned by him. Emphasizes the visual nature of apocalyptic prophecy.
- write in a book:
write: (Gr. grapsen – γράψον) An imperative verb, a direct command to record.in a book: (Gr. eis biblion – εἰς βιβλίον) Refers to a scroll or codex. It signifies that the vision is not for John alone but meant to be preserved as a permanent, authoritative record for others to read and obey.
- and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia:
send it: (Gr. kai pempson – καὶ πέμψον) Imperative command for dissemination.unto the seven churches: (Gr. tais hepta ekklesiaís – ταῖς ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαις)seven: (Gr. hepta – ἑπτά) In biblical apocalyptic literature, seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. These seven churches represent the fullness of the church universal and distinct periods or types of churches throughout history.churches: (Gr. ekklēsia – ἐκκλησία) Assembly of believers, the called-out ones.
which are in Asia: (Gr. hai en tē Asia – αἱ ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ) Refers to the Roman province of Asia, located in western modern-day Turkey. This establishes a real geographical and historical setting for the original recipients.
- unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea:
- These are specific, historical cities with active Christian communities. Their distinct challenges (e.g., Ephesus's loss of first love, Smyrna's suffering, Laodicea's lukewarmness) were representative of common spiritual struggles. They also follow a logical geographical route a messenger would take, suggesting they were chosen as a collective representation.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last": This powerful divine self-designation establishes the ultimate authority and eternal nature of the speaker, identifying Him as co-equal with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This phrase confirms the speaker is the triune God, specifically here recognized as the resurrected Christ, asserting His unique and preeminent claim over all existence and history. It forms a crucial foundational declaration for understanding all subsequent revelations in the book.
- "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia": This phrase details the method and immediate audience for the prophecy. It underlines the divine origin (seen vision) and the authoritative nature of its recording. The widespread dissemination to "the seven churches" underscores that the message is for real congregations facing real-world challenges, even as these churches embody universal spiritual types. It emphasizes God's active involvement in communicating His will to His people.
Revelation 1 11 Bonus section
The sequential listing of the seven churches suggests a logical travel route (circular tour) from Patmos and around the Roman province of Asia Minor. This geographic and logistical aspect underscores the literal reality of these churches and the historical accuracy of their receiving this profound prophetic letter. While real historical congregations, they also serve as archetypes or spiritual profiles of churches through history (Ephesus: declining love, Smyrna: suffering unto death, Pergamos: compromise, Thyatira: tolerating sin, Sardis: dead religiosity, Philadelphia: faithful evangelism, Laodicea: lukewarmness), offering timeless insights into spiritual strengths and weaknesses common to the Christian church globally and throughout different eras.
Revelation 1 11 Commentary
Revelation 1:11 marks a pivotal moment, solidifying the divine authority behind John's unfolding vision and its intended distribution. The declaration of "Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" directly asserts the absolute sovereignty and eternal nature of the voice, who is none other than the pre-existent, all-encompassing Lord Jesus Christ. This title is not merely descriptive but is a profound theological statement, challenging any earthly power or competing spiritual claim. The explicit command to "write in a book" emphasizes the inspired, permanent, and transmissible nature of God's revelation. This instruction to record and dispatch the vision to seven specific churches in Asia highlights the practical and pastoral purpose of the Apocalypse—to provide guidance, warning, and encouragement to contemporary congregations, and by extension, to believers across all generations and contexts. The message, though apocalyptic in style, is deeply practical and relevant for the church then and now.