THE LAMB (το αρνιον). See Revelation 5:6; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 13:8 and is in contrast with the anarthrous αρνιον in Revelation 13:11. This proleptic vision of the Lamb "standing on the mount Zion" (εστος επ το ορος Σιων, second perfect active participle neuter of ιστημ wi... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A VOICE OF MANY WATERS (ως φωνην υδατων πολλων). For which see Revelation 1:15.OF A GREAT THUNDER (βροντης μεγαλης). For which see Revelation 6:1; Revelation 19:6. For this voice out of heaven see Revelation 10:4; Revelation 14:15; Revelation 18:4 and note accusative with ηκουσα.AS THE VOICE... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SING AS IT WERE A NEW SONG (αιδουσιν ως ωιδην καινην). See Revelation 5:9 for this phrase (cognate accusative) save that here ως (as if) is added. There the new song was sung by the four living creatures and the elders, but here "before" (ενωπιον) them and so apparently by the throng who wer... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN (μετα γυναικων ουκ εμολυνθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of μολυνω, old verb, to stain, already in Revelation 3:4, which see. The use of this word rules out marriage, which was not considered sinful.FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS (παρθενο γαρ εισιν). Παρθενος can be app... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS FOUND NO LIE (ουχ ευρεθη ψευδος). First aorist passive indicative of ευρισκω. In 1 Peter 2:23 this passage (Isaiah 53:9) is quoted with δολος (deceit, guile) instead of ψευδος (lie), but the difference is not great.WITHOUT BLEMISH (αμωμο). Alpha privative and μωμος (blemish, spot). As Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER ANGEL (αλλον αγγελον). A new turn in the drama comes with each angel (Revelation 7:2; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 10:1). Here the angel is seen "flying in mid heaven" (πετομενον εν μεσουρανηματ), while in Revelation 8:13 John heard him "flying in mid heaven" (genitive case... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAITH (λεγων). See above.FEAR GOD (φοβηθητε τον θεον). First aorist passive (deponent) imperative of φοβεομα, here transitive with the accusative as in Luke 12:5. It is a call to judgment with no hope offered except by implication (Acts 14:15).GIVE HIM GLORY (δοτε αυτω δοξαν). Second a... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER, A SECOND ANGEL (αλλος δευτερος αγγελος). This second angel "followed" (ηκολουθησεν, first aorist active indicative of ακολουθεω) and interpreted in part the first one.FALLEN, FALLEN (επεσεν, επεσεν). Prophetic aorist active indicative of πιπτω, repeated as a solemn dirge announcing the... [ Continue Reading ]
A THIRD (τριτος). "The third of this succession of herald angels denounces the Caesar-worshippers" (Swete). Cf. Revelation 13:12. This counter proclamation (verses Revelation 14:9-12) warns those tempted to yield to the threats of the second beast about boycott and death (Revelation 13:11-17).IF... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ALSO SHALL DRINK (κα αυτος πιετα). Future middle of πινω. Certainty for him as for Babylon and her paramours (Revelation 16:17).OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD (εκ του οινου του θυμου του θεου). Note εκ (partitive) after πιετα. In Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:15 we have both θυμου and οργ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT (ο καπνος του βασανισμου αυτων). See Revelation 9:5 for βασανισμος, only there it was a limited penalty, here it is "for ever and ever" (εις αιωνας αιωνων, unto ages of ages). See also Revelation 18:9; Revelation 19:3; Revelation 20:10.THEY HAVE NO REST (ουκ εχουσιν αν... [ Continue Reading ]
HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS (Hωδε η υπομονη των αγιων εστιν). John's own comment as in Revelation 13:10; Revelation 17:9. In this struggle against emperor worship lay their opportunity (Romans 5:3). It was a test of loyalty to Christ.THEY THAT KEEP (ο τηρουντες). In apposition with των α... [ Continue Reading ]
WRITE (Γραψον). First aorist active imperative of γραφω as in Revelation 1:11. John's meditation is broken by this command. This new beatitude (μακαριο, Blessed) for the Christian dead goes farther than Paul's words (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 15:18). Probably "from henceforth" (απ' α... [ Continue Reading ]
A WHITE CLOUD (νεφελη λευκη). Like the "bright cloud" of Matthew 17:5 (Transfiguration), a familiar object in the Mediterranean lands. See Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11 for the picture of Christ's return.I SAW ONE SITTING (καθημενον). No ειδον here, but the accus... [ Continue Reading ]
SEND FORTH (πεμψον). First aorist (urgency) active imperative of πεμπω. "Thrust in thy sickle now," this angel urges Christ.AND REAP (κα θερισον). First aorist (urgency) active imperative of θεριζω, old verb (from θερος, summer), as in Matthew 6:26. See verse Revelation 14:7 for "the hour is co... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST (εβαλεν). Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω. No violence by the use of εβαλεν as is seen in Matthew 10:34 (βαλειν ειρηνην, to bring peace).WAS REAPED (εθερισθη). First aorist passive indicative of θεριζω. Both prophetic aorists again. Christ puts in the sickle as he wills with his o... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ALSO (κα αυτος). As well as the Reaper on the cloud. This is the fifth angel who is God's messenger from heaven (temple where God dwells). This fifth angel with his sharp sickle is to gather the vintage (Revelation 14:18-20) as Christ did the wheat.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER ANGEL (αλλος αγγελος). The fifth angel above Swete terms "the Angel of vengeance." He responds to the call of the sixth angel here as Christ does to the call of the fourth angel in verse Revelation 14:15.OUT FROM THE ALTAR (εκ του θυσιαστηριου). From the altar of incense where he is in c... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST (εβαλεν). As in verse Revelation 14:16.GATHERED (ετρυγησεν). Like εθερισθη in verse Revelation 14:16, in obedience to the instructions in verse Revelation 14:18 (τρυγησον).THE VINTAGE OF THE EARTH (την αμπελον της γης). "The vine of the earth." Here αμπελος is used for the enemies of Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS TRODDEN (επατηθη). First aorist passive indicative of πατεω, to tread. The image of treading out the grapes is a familiar one in the East. Perhaps Isaiah 63:3 is in mind.WITHOUT THE CITY (εξωθεν της πολεως). Ablative case with εξωθεν (like εξω). This was the usual place (Hebrews 13:12). See... [ Continue Reading ]