When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

This command is a common divine reassurance found throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament (e.g., Joshua 1:9) to the New Testament (e.g., Luke 1:30). It reflects God's desire to comfort and encourage His people, especially in moments of fear or uncertainty.

What does Revelation 1:17 mean? The appearance of Deity in the Old Testament brought humbling responses. When the Lord appeared to Moses from a burning bush, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:1–6). When Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, he cried out, "Woe is me!

1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

John's reaction is one of utter awe and reverence, common in biblical encounters with the divine. This response is seen in other scriptural accounts, such as Daniel's vision (Daniel 10:8-9) and Paul's encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:4). It signifies the overwhelming power and holiness of God, which often renders humans powerless.

Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.... Read verse in New International Version

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear {5737} not; I am the first and the last: When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

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