Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
Watchtower
ONLINE LIBRARY
English
  • BIBLE
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • MEETINGS
  • Revelation 1
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

No video available for this selection.

Sorry, there was an error loading the video.

Revelation Outline

      • A revelation from God, through Jesus (1-3)

      • Greetings to the seven congregations (4-8)

        • “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (8)

      • John in the Lord’s day by inspiration (9-11)

      • Vision of the glorified Jesus (12-20)

Revelation 1:1

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “A disclosure; An uncovering.”

Marginal References

  • +Da 2:28
  • +Am 3:7; Re 7:3, 4
  • +Mt 10:2; Mr 1:19; Joh 21:20

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 1184

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 211

    Revelation Climax, pp. 15-17

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/1999, pp. 15, 19

    11/1/1999, p. 6

    2/1/1985, p. 15

    1/15/1973, p. 62

    2/15/1964, pp. 112-114

    3/15/1963, pp. 171-173

    12/1/1962, pp. 725-726

    3/1/1962, p. 149

    10/15/1961, pp. 619-621

    1/15/1958, p. 41

    Awake!,

    8/22/1978, pp. 27-28

    2/8/1972, pp. 27-28

    God’s Kingdom Has Approached, pp. 323-324

  • Publications Index

    ijwbq 72; w22.05 2; it-1 1184; it-2 211; re 15-17; w99 11/1 6; w99 12/1 15, 19;

    w85 2/1 15; g78 8/22 27; w73 62; ka 324; g72 2/8 27-28; fm 94-95; w64 113; w63 172; bf 456; w62 149, 726; w61 620; nu 20; w58 41; w48 291; g44 10/11 29

Revelation 1:2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Revelation Climax, pp. 16-17

    The Watchtower,

    2/15/1964, pp. 112-114

    1/15/1958, p. 41

  • Publications Index

    re 16-17;

    fm 94-95; w64 113; w58 41; w46 346

Revelation 1:3

Marginal References

  • +Ps 1:2; Lu 11:28; Joh 13:17; Jas 1:22

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/2009, p. 31

    12/1/1999, pp. 14-19

    4/1/1989, pp. 10-11

    12/15/1988, pp. 10-11

    5/15/1983, pp. 17-18

    4/1/1973, pp. 204-205

    1/15/1958, p. 41

    Revelation Climax, pp. 6, 17

    God’s Kingdom Has Approached, p. 16

  • Publications Index

    w09 1/15 31; re 6, 17; w99 12/1 14-19; w89 4/1 10-11; w88 12/15 10-11;

    w83 5/15 17-18; w73 204-205; ka 16; fm 95; bf 670; w58 41; w49 41

Revelation 1:4

Marginal References

  • +Re 1:11
  • +Re 1:8; 4:8; 11:17
  • +Re 4:5

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 798, 945, 1022

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/2009, p. 30

    10/1/1962, pp. 589-591

    5/1/1962, pp. 270-271

    11/15/1961, pp. 688-690

    1/15/1958, p. 41

    4/15/1952, p. 249

    Revelation Climax, p. 18

  • Publications Index

    it-2 798, 945, 1022; w09 1/15 30; re 18;

    ad 1403, 1545; fm 94, 114, 155; w62 271, 590; wr 38; w61 689; w58 41; w52 249; w37 60; lt-1-30 14

Revelation 1:5

Marginal References

  • +Re 3:14
  • +Col 1:18
  • +Ps 89:27; 1Ti 6:15; Re 19:16
  • +Joh 15:9
  • +Heb 9:14; 1Pe 1:18, 19; 1Jo 1:7

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 836

    Revelation Climax, pp. 18-19

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/1999, p. 10

    3/1/1980, p. 18

    10/1/1972, p. 607

    12/15/1970, p. 749

    12/15/1969, pp. 746-748

    2/15/1964, pp. 113-115

    10/1/1962, pp. 593-595

    10/1/1960, p. 591

    11/15/1950, pp. 449-451

    Proclaimers, pp. 19-25

  • Publications Index

    it-1 836; re 18-19; w99 12/1 10; jv 19-25;

    w80 3/1 18; w72 607; w70 749; w69 747; fm 94-95, 100, 188; im 233; w64 114; bf 418; w62 594; wr 45; w60 591; w50 450; w47 100; w46 340; w43 121; g43 10/27 17; wl 67; w37 60

Revelation 1:6

Marginal References

  • +Ex 19:6; Lu 22:28-30
  • +1Pe 2:5; Re 5:9, 10; 20:6

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Revelation Climax, p. 19

    The Watchtower,

    7/1/1978, p. 24

    2/15/1966, pp. 112-114

    3/1/1963, pp. 146-147

    God’s Kingdom Has Approached, pp. 107-108

  • Publications Index

    re 19;

    w78 7/1 24; ka 107-108; fm 94; w66 113; w63 147; wl 67

Revelation 1:7

Marginal References

  • +Mt 26:64; Mr 13:26
  • +Mt 24:30

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 484, 790

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 678, 942, 1124-1125

    God’s Kingdom Rules!, p. 226

    The Watchtower,

    3/15/2007, pp. 3, 5

    5/1/1993, pp. 22-23

    10/1/1992, pp. 15-16

    1/1/1988, p. 18

    12/1/1981, pp. 7-8

    12/15/1974, p. 751

    8/15/1969, pp. 484-485

    6/15/1966, pp. 372-374

    1/15/1966, pp. 38-40

    2/15/1963, p. 126

    12/15/1960, pp. 762-764

    7/1/1959, pp. 399-401

    7/15/1953, p. 447

    2/15/1953, pp. 115-117

    5/1/1952, pp. 274-276

    Revelation Climax, pp. 19-20

    Live Forever, p. 146

    Reasoning, pp. 342-343

    Truth, p. 81

    Awake!,

    7/22/1973, p. 3

  • Publications Index

    ijwbq 97; it-1 484, 790; it-2 678, 942, 1124-1125; kr 226; w07 3/15 3, 5; re 19-20; w93 5/1 22-23; w92 10/1 15-16; pe 146; rs 342-343; w88 1/1 18;

    w81 12/1 7-8; tr 81; w74 751; g73 7/22 3; ad 360, 551; w69 485; fm 249; g67 12/8 28; w66 38, 40, 373; im 332; w63 126; bf 513; g62 5/8 7; w60 763; w59 400; w53 116, 447; g53 9/8 26; w52 275; el 216; w49 201, 232; ki 341; tf 296; g41 8/20 18; w40 252; g36 6/17 606; g30 4/30 504

Revelation 1:8

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “the A and the Z.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

  • *

    See App. A5.

Marginal References

  • +Isa 48:12; Re 21:6; 22:13
  • +Ex 6:3

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 79, 80-81

    New World Translation, p. 1692

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/2009, pp. 30-31

    12/1/1999, p. 10

    9/15/1967, pp. 569-571

    10/1/1962, pp. 589-591

    10/15/1960, pp. 620-622

    1/1/1953, p. 31

    4/15/1952, pp. 241-242

    Revelation Climax, p. 20

    Awake!,

    8/22/1978, pp. 27-28

  • Publications Index

    it-1 79, 81; nwt 1692; w09 1/15 30; re 20; w99 12/1 10;

    g78 8/22 27-28; ad 55, 57; fm 99; w67 570; g67 9/22 28; g66 6/8 27; w62 590; wr 38; w60 621; w53 31; w52 242

Revelation 1:9

Marginal References

  • +Mt 24:9
  • +Lu 12:32
  • +Mt 10:22; 2Ti 2:12
  • +Ro 8:17

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 384, 467

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 585

    Revelation Climax, pp. 20-21

    The Watchtower,

    12/1/1999, pp. 14-15

    1/15/1958, p. 41

    Awake!,

    8/22/1978, pp. 27-28

    World Government, pp. 108-110

  • Publications Index

    it-1 384, 467; it-2 585; re 20-21; w99 12/1 14;

    g78 8/22 28; go 108-109; ad 273, 348; fm 8, 96; im 110; w58 41

Revelation 1:10

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 268

    Jesus—The Way, p. 313

    Revelation Climax, pp. 22-24

    The Watchtower,

    5/15/2003, p. 10

    12/15/1997, p. 11

    4/15/1991, pp. 26-27

    4/1/1989, pp. 11-12

    12/15/1988, p. 11

    10/15/1988, p. 10

    12/1/1981, p. 25

    6/15/1974, pp. 356-357

    12/1/1962, pp. 725-726

    3/1/1962, p. 149

    1/1/1961, p. 32

    1/15/1958, pp. 47-49

    4/15/1952, pp. 247-248

    Kingdom Ministry,

    1/1979, p. 2

  • Publications Index

    w22.05 2-3; it-2 268; jy 313; re 22, 24; w03 5/15 10; w97 12/15 11; w91 4/15 26-27; w89 4/1 11; w88 10/15 10; w88 12/15 11;

    w81 12/1 25; km 1/79 2; w74 356-357; ad 1075; fm 96; w62 149, 726; w61 32; w58 48; w52 248

Revelation 1:11

Marginal References

  • +Eph 1:1; Re 2:1
  • +Re 2:8
  • +Re 2:12
  • +Re 2:18
  • +Re 3:1
  • +Re 3:7
  • +Re 3:14

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 80

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/2009, p. 30

    8/15/2007, pp. 9, 11

    4/1/1989, p. 11

    12/15/1988, p. 11

    4/15/1971, p. 228

    1/15/1958, pp. 47-49

    Revelation Climax, pp. 23-24

    “Good Land,” p. 33

    School Guidebook, p. 15

    Reasoning, pp. 412-413

    Awake!,

    2/8/1972, pp. 27-28

  • Publications Index

    it-1 80; w09 1/15 30; w07 8/15 9, 11; re 23-24; gl 33; sg 15; w89 4/1 11; rs 412; w88 12/15 11;

    g72 2/8 27-28; w71 228; ad 56; fm 96; g66 6/8 27; w58 48

Revelation 1:12

Marginal References

  • +Re 1:20

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 198

    Revelation Climax, pp. 25, 28-29

    The Watchtower,

    4/1/1977, p. 212

    5/1/1962, pp. 270-271

    1/15/1958, pp. 47-49

    4/15/1952, p. 249

  • Publications Index

    it-2 198; re 25, 28-29;

    w77 212; ad 1026; fm 97; w62 271; w58 48; w52 249; w37 62; w36 383

Revelation 1:13

Marginal References

  • +Da 7:13

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 198, 1003

    Revelation Climax, p. 25

    The Watchtower,

    5/1/1962, pp. 270-271

    1/15/1958, pp. 47-49

  • Publications Index

    it-2 198, 1003; re 25;

    ad 1026; fm 97; bf 528; w62 271; w58 48; g33 7/5 626

Revelation 1:14

Marginal References

  • +Re 19:12

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 1200

    Revelation Climax, p. 25

    The Watchtower,

    6/15/1980, p. 15

  • Publications Index

    it-2 1200; re 25;

    w80 6/15 15; ad 1667; fm 97; w36 383

Revelation 1:15

Marginal References

  • +Re 2:18

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Revelation Climax, pp. 25-26

  • Publications Index

    re 25-26;

    fm 97, 141; w33 262; pp 91

Revelation 1:16

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “face.”

Marginal References

  • +Re 1:20
  • +Isa 49:2
  • +Mt 17:1, 2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 1029

    The Watchtower,

    10/15/2012, p. 14

    4/1/1977, pp. 212-213

    5/1/1962, pp. 270-271

    9/15/1959, pp. 571-572

    4/15/1952, p. 249

    Revelation Climax, pp. 26-27, 28-29

  • Publications Index

    it-1 1029; w12 10/15 14; re 26-29;

    w77 212-213; ad 710; fm 97, 129, 135; bf 625; w62 271; w59 571; yw 201; w52 249; w41 137; w36 383

Revelation 1:17

Marginal References

  • +Ac 26:23; Col 1:18; Re 1:5
  • +Re 2:8

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/2009, pp. 30-31

    4/15/1973, pp. 239-240

    2/15/1965, pp. 102-104

    1/15/1965, pp. 41-43

    10/1/1962, pp. 593-595

    9/1/1956, pp. 526-528

    1/1/1953, p. 31

    Revelation Climax, pp. 26-28

  • Publications Index

    w09 1/15 30-31; re 26-28;

    w73 239-240; fm 97-100; g66 6/8 28; w65 42, 103; w62 594; wr 45; w56 527; w53 31; nh 313; w49 265

Revelation 1:18

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “Hades,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.

Marginal References

  • +1Co 15:45
  • +1Pe 3:18
  • +Ro 6:9; 1Ti 6:16
  • +Mt 16:18; Joh 6:54; 11:25

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 897-898

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 149

    Revelation Climax, pp. 27-28

    Worship God, p. 83

    United in Worship, pp. 73-74

    The Watchtower,

    4/1/1982, pp. 26-27

    6/15/1979, p. 20

    4/15/1976, pp. 244-245

    4/15/1973, pp. 239-240, 243

    9/15/1967, pp. 570-571

    1/1/1966, pp. 27-28

    3/15/1965, pp. 180-182

    2/15/1965, pp. 102-104

    1/15/1965, pp. 41-43

    12/1/1964, pp. 713-715

    10/1/1962, pp. 593-595

    12/1/1961, pp. 716-718

    Kingdom Ministry,

    3/1973, p. 4

  • Publications Index

    it-1 897; it-2 149; re 27-28; wt 83;

    uw 73-74; w82 4/1 27; w79 6/15 20; w76 244-245; w73 239-240, 243; km 3/73 4; fm 98-100; w67 571; w66 28; w65 42-43, 103, 181; im 347; w64 714; bf 426, 634, 656; w62 594; wr 45; w61 717; ns 249; pa 234; nh 313, 348; el 299; w49 265; w39 174; ch 203; w31 76

Revelation 1:19

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Revelation Climax, p. 24

    The Watchtower,

    1/15/1958, pp. 48-50

  • Publications Index

    re 24;

    fm 98, 101, 103; bf 679; w58 49

Revelation 1:20

Marginal References

  • +Mt 5:16; Php 2:15

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook,

    11/2019, p. 5

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 1029, 1065

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 198, 512

    The Watchtower,

    10/15/2012, p. 14

    9/15/2010, p. 27

    1/15/2009, p. 30

    4/1/2007, p. 27

    5/15/2003, p. 10

    3/15/2002, p. 14

    10/1/1988, p. 17

    8/1/1987, pp. 17-18

    4/1/1977, pp. 212-213

    12/15/1971, pp. 751-752

    5/1/1962, pp. 270-271

    1/15/1958, pp. 48-50

    Revelation Climax, pp. 28-29, 136-137

  • Publications Index

    mwb19.11 5; it-1 1029, 1065; it-2 198, 512; w12 10/15 14; w10 9/15 27; w09 1/15 30; w07 4/1 27; re 28-29, 136; w03 5/15 10; w02 3/15 14; w88 10/1 17; w87 8/1 17-18;

    w77 212-213; w71 751-752; ad 710, 1026, 1234; fm 98, 102-104; bf 679; w62 271; w58 49

Parallel Translations

Click a verse number to display parallel Bible verses.

General

Rev. 1:1Da 2:28
Rev. 1:1Am 3:7; Re 7:3, 4
Rev. 1:1Mt 10:2; Mr 1:19; Joh 21:20
Rev. 1:3Ps 1:2; Lu 11:28; Joh 13:17; Jas 1:22
Rev. 1:4Re 1:11
Rev. 1:4Re 1:8; 4:8; 11:17
Rev. 1:4Re 4:5
Rev. 1:5Joh 15:9
Rev. 1:5Heb 9:14; 1Pe 1:18, 19; 1Jo 1:7
Rev. 1:5Re 3:14
Rev. 1:5Col 1:18
Rev. 1:5Ps 89:27; 1Ti 6:15; Re 19:16
Rev. 1:6Ex 19:6; Lu 22:28-30
Rev. 1:61Pe 2:5; Re 5:9, 10; 20:6
Rev. 1:7Mt 26:64; Mr 13:26
Rev. 1:7Mt 24:30
Rev. 1:8Isa 48:12; Re 21:6; 22:13
Rev. 1:8Ex 6:3
Rev. 1:9Mt 24:9
Rev. 1:9Lu 12:32
Rev. 1:9Mt 10:22; 2Ti 2:12
Rev. 1:9Ro 8:17
Rev. 1:11Eph 1:1; Re 2:1
Rev. 1:11Re 2:8
Rev. 1:11Re 2:12
Rev. 1:11Re 2:18
Rev. 1:11Re 3:1
Rev. 1:11Re 3:7
Rev. 1:11Re 3:14
Rev. 1:12Re 1:20
Rev. 1:13Da 7:13
Rev. 1:14Re 19:12
Rev. 1:15Re 2:18
Rev. 1:16Re 1:20
Rev. 1:16Isa 49:2
Rev. 1:16Mt 17:1, 2
Rev. 1:17Ac 26:23; Col 1:18; Re 1:5
Rev. 1:17Re 2:8
Rev. 1:181Co 15:45
Rev. 1:181Pe 3:18
Rev. 1:18Ro 6:9; 1Ti 6:16
Rev. 1:18Mt 16:18; Joh 6:54; 11:25
Rev. 1:20Mt 5:16; Php 2:15
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
  • Read in Study Bible (nwtsty)
  • Read in Kingdom Interlinear (int)
  • Read in Reference Bible (Rbi8)
  • Read in Byington (by)
  • Read in American Standard Version (bi22)
  • Read in Rotherham (rh)
  • Read in King James Version (bi10)
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Revelation 1:1-20

A Revelation to John

1 A revelation* by Jesus Christ, which God gave him,+ to show his slaves+ the things that must shortly take place. And he sent his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John,+ 2 who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, yes, to all the things he saw. 3 Happy is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and who observe the things written in it,+ for the appointed time is near.

4 John to the seven congregations+ that are in the province of Asia:

May you have undeserved kindness and peace from “the One who is and who was and who is coming,”+ and from the seven spirits+ that are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,”+ “the firstborn from the dead,”+ and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth.”+

To him who loves us+ and who set us free from our sins by means of his own blood+— 6 and he made us to be a kingdom,+ priests+ to his God and Father—yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen.

7 Look! He is coming with the clouds,+ and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him.+ Yes, Amen.

8 “I am the Alʹpha and the O·meʹga,”*+ says Jehovah* God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”+

9 I John, your brother and a sharer with you in the tribulation+ and kingdom+ and endurance+ in association with Jesus,+ was on the island called Patʹmos for speaking about God and bearing witness concerning Jesus. 10 By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet, 11 saying: “What you see, write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations: in Ephʹe·sus,+ in Smyrʹna,+ in Perʹga·mum,+ in Thy·a·tiʹra,+ in Sarʹdis,+ in Philadelphia,+ and in La·o·di·ceʹa.”+

12 I turned to see who was speaking with me, and when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,+ 13 and in the midst of the lampstands someone like a son of man,+ clothed in a garment that reached down to the feet and wearing a golden sash around his chest. 14 Moreover, his head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame,+ 15 and his feet were like fine copper+ when glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars,+ and out of his mouth a sharp, long, two-edged sword+ was protruding, and his countenance* was like the sun when it shines at its brightest.+ 17 When I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet.

And he laid his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First+ and the Last,+ 18 and the living one,+ and I became dead,+ but look! I am living forever and ever,+ and I have the keys of death and of the Grave.*+ 19 So write down the things you saw, and the things that are, and the things that will take place after these. 20 As for the sacred secret of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars mean the angels of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands mean the seven congregations.+

English Publications (1950-2024)
Log Out
Log In
  • English
  • Share
  • Preferences
  • Copyright © 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Settings
  • JW.ORG
  • Log In
Share