# Revelation 01 General Notes # #### Structure and formatting #### This chapter explains how the book is a recording of the vision John received on the island of Patmos. Some translations indent quotations from the Old Testament. The ULB does this with the quoted material in 1:7. #### Special concepts in this chapter #### ##### Seven churches ##### This letter was specifically addressed to seven actual churches located in the modern country of Turkey. ##### White ##### White is a color that often symbolizes holiness or righteousness in scripture. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]]) #### Important figures of speech in this chapter #### ##### "Him who is, and who was, and who is to come" ##### The phrase explains that God has always existed, exists now and will always exist. Not all languages have a way to easily translate the past, present and future aspects of a verb. It is possible this is a play on the name of God, Yahweh, which means "I am." ##### His blood ##### This is a reference to Jesus' death. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter #### ##### "He is coming with the clouds" ##### Many scholars believe Jesus will come back in two stages. Jesus' first return will be subtle, like a "thief in the night." Then, Jesus will come in an undeniable way where everyone will see him. It is this latter coming that the book of Revelation is about. ##### Jesus ##### The image of the man in heaven is probably Jesus. Overall, the image is a description of Jesus in all of his glory. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/glory]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) ##### "The angels of the seven churches" ##### The Greek word translated as "angels" can also be translated as "messengers." It is possible this is a reference to the messengers or leaders of these seven churches. ## Links: ## * __[Revelation 01:01 Notes](./01.md)__ * __[Revelation intro](../front/intro.md)__ __| [>>](../02/intro.md)__