What does Revelation 1:17 mean?

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Revelation 1:17

Explanation

Revelation 1:17 describes a vision of the apostle John, the author of the Book of Revelation, in which he encounters a being, commonly understood to be Jesus Christ, in a glorified form. Struck with fear or awe at the sight, John falls to the ground as though dead. Jesus then reassures John, placing his right hand on him and commanding him not to be afraid. He also identifies Himself with the titles “the first and the last,” asserting His eternal nature and divine authority. Literally, the verse depicts a physical reaction to a divine revelation; symbolically, it speaks to the authority and comforting presence of Christ in the face of overwhelming spiritual experiences or revelation.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, was written toward the end of the first century A.D., during a time when Christians faced persecution under the Roman Empire. John, traditionally identified as the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, was exiled on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. It is here that he received visions and wrote Revelation. The audience of this text were the early Christian communities struggling with persecution and seeking encouragement and hope.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret this verse in various ways. For example:

• Preterist View: This perspective might emphasize that Jesus comforting John represents the immediate encouragement needed by the original readers in the face of Roman persecution.
• Futurist View: Interpreters may argue that this event foreshadows end-time events and the final revelation of Christ’s glory and power.
• Historicist View: This interpretation may see John’s encounter as symbolic of ongoing church history, where Christ’s continual presence reassures the church through the ages.
• Idealist/Spiritual View: In this case, the passage is a timeless expression of God’s sovereignty and comfort toward His people in spiritual tribulations.

Practical Applications

Revelation 1:17’s teachings can be applied in daily life by encouraging individuals to trust in the sovereignty and eternal nature of Jesus Christ, especially during times of fear or uncertainty. It is a reminder that Jesus, being the “first and the last,” is in control of all history and offers His comforting presence to His followers. Additionally, it signifies that followers of Christ may face overwhelming situations with courage, knowing that they are not alone.

Cross-References

• Revelation 1:8 – “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
• Isaiah 41:4 – “Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I [am] he.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

• “ἐπέθηκεν” (epethēken) – Translated as “laid [his right hand upon me]”; it signifies the action of placing or imposing one’s hand, often associated with a gesture of authority or comfort.
• “μὴ φοβοῦ” (mē phobou) – Translated “Fear not” is an imperative often spoken by divine beings or angels in the Bible, usually indicating the presence of God’s comforting reassurance.
• “πρῶτος καὶ ἔσχατος” (prōtos kai eschatos) – Translated as “the first and the last,” these terms denote preeminence, eternal existence, and the encompassing nature of Christ’s divinity and authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions, figures who are considered “the first and last” or hold similar titles may represent the totality of existence or the ultimate authority within the religious system. For example, in Egyptian mythology, the god Atum was considered both the creator (the beginning) and the one who would remain after the world’s end (the last). The concept of a deity representing both the beginning and the end is thus not unique to Christianity but resonates with a broader religious and cultural understanding of divine sovereignty.

Scientific Perspectives

While Revelation 1:17 is primarily a theological and spiritual statement, it intersects with scientific perspectives in the study of human reactions to profound experiences. The description of John as falling “as dead” can be understood through psychological studies of human responses to extreme fear or awe, sometimes referred to as “fight, flight or freeze” responses. Neurological studies have also examined how religious or mystical experiences can produce intense emotional and somatic reactions, which might parallel the overwhelming sensation John describes.

Commentaries

Various experts and commentators have provided their interpretations of Revelation 1:17:

• Matthew Henry’s commentary emphasizes the comfort and reassurance that Jesus provides to John in a moment of fear and awe.
• The Pulpit Commentary notes this divine encounter as a demonstration of Christ’s glory that both terrifies and comforts, underscoring His loving character.
• In more contemporary theologian N. T. Wright’s view, John’s reaction is a natural response to the unveiling of the true world leader, the slain and risen Lamb who is the living Lord over the world.
• The New International Greek Testament Commentary suggests that the phrase “the first and the last” establishes Jesus as equal with God in power and eternity, also reasserting the authority behind the whole prophetic vision that John receives.

These viewpoints converge on the idea that this verse communicates the majesty and comforting presence of Christ, which is also a central message of the Book of Revelation.