Revelation 1:1-11

The opening scenes of Revelation are of the most striking character. Though the apostle is confined upon. lonely rock of the sea and is far away from the saints assembled in the name of Christ, yet be is "in the spirit" upon the Lord's day. This day, rendered sacred by the resurrection of the Savior, the day on which he appeared. second time, and upon which the wonderful scenes of Pentecost occurred, had been observed by the Church from its organization as. time set apart to congregational worship. John, though denied the privilege of joining in the exercises of. Christian assembly, evidently devoted the day to prayer and meditation, thereby setting an example for every lonely saint; and his soul was lifted to. spiritual exaltation that peculiarly fitted him for communion with God. While thus engaged, the silence and loneliness of Patmos were broken by the sound of. mighty voice which rang out loud and clear like the tones of. trumpet, saying:

I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and what thou seest, write in. 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.