In the first paragraph of the chapter we have the Preface and the Salutation of the book, the one extending from Revelation 1:1 to Revelation 1:3, the other from Revelation 1:4 to Revelation 1:8. The Preface consists of three parts, the person from whom the revelation came; the fidelity with which i... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:1. The book is A REVELATION, a drawing back of the veil which, to the merely human eye, hangs over the purposes of God; and it is a revelation OF JESUS CHRIST, that is, not a revelation of what Jesus Christ is, but a revelation which Jesus Christ gives to His Church, even as the Father... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:2. The source of the revelation has been declared, and is now followed by a description of the spirit in which the revelation itself was received and communicated to the Church. Individually St. John is nothing: he is only a WITNESS to the Divine, to the WORD OF GOD, and to the TESTIMON... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:3. The mention of the source of the revelation, and of the perfect faithfulness with which it has been recorded, are now fitly followed by a blessing pronounced upon such as receive and keep it. The allusion in HE THAT READETH is to the public reading of books of Scripture in the congre... [ Continue Reading ]
The Preface of the book is over, and the Salutation follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:4-6. After the manner of the prophets of the O. T., the writer now brings himself forward by name, and directly addresses the Church. In the consciousness of his Divine commission, and of his own faithfulness to it, he is bold. IT IS THE SEVEN CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN ASIA that are address... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:7. The third part of the Salutation follows, closely associated with that Redeemer to whom the doxology of the second part had been addressed. The thought of Jesus is not exhausted by the mention of what He _had done._ Another great truth is connected with Him, that He will come again,... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:8. This conclusion is strengthened by the words of the eighth verse, in which the emphasis lies upon the ALMIGHTY, thus bringing into prominence that all-powerful might in which Jesus goes forth to be victorious over His enemies. It is Christ, ‘the Lord,' who speaks, and who says that H... [ Continue Reading ]
We are introduced to a vision of the Saviour, in that light in which He is peculiarly presented to us in the Apocalypse the Head of His Church, the great High Priest and King of His people. From Him the Seer receives the commission to deliver His message to the Church.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:9. Again the apocalyptic writer, after the manner of the prophets, especially Daniel, names himself (comp. Daniel 7:15; Daniel 8:1; Daniel 8:15; Daniel 9:2; Daniel 10:2; Daniel 12:5). But he is not only a prophet: he is not less personally concerned than those to whom he writes in the r... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:11. The first clauses of the verse in the Authorised Version must be removed, and the words of the voice begin with what thou SEEST WRITE IN A ROLL. Under the ‘seeing' is included all that is to be written in the roll, not merely chaps, 2 and 3; and the command to write is so given in t... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:12. The Seer naturally turns to see; and the first thing that strikes his eyes as the outer circle of the vision is SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS, each of them like the golden candlestick of the Tabernacle. That we have seven candlesticks instead of one points to the richness and fulness of... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:13. We have beheld the contents of the outer circle; but there is something more glorious within. In the midst of the seven golden candlesticks is One, not walking as in chap. Revelation 2:1, but standing, who is LIKE UNTO A SON OF MAN, _i.e_ appears in human likeness. As in chap. Revel... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:14-15. From the dress the Seer now proceeds to some characteristics of the personal appearance of Him whom he beholds in vision. HIS HEAD AND HAIRS WERE WHITE AS WHITE WOOL, AS SNOW. The head is not the forehead, but, as appears from the omission of the personal pronoun when the hair is... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:16. From the personal appearance of the Redeemer, the Seer now passes to His equipment for His work, and that in three particulars. AND HE HAD IN HIS RIGHT HAND SEVEN STARS. In the writings of St. John the verb ‘to have' denotes possession, and the ‘right hand' is the hand of power, so... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:17-18. The effect of the vision upon the Seer is now described. I fell, he says, AT HIS FEET AS DEAD (cp. Exodus 33:20; Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 8:17; Daniel 10:7-8; Luke 5:8). The effect upon the present occasion is, however, greater than on any of those referred to in these ot... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:19. WRITE THEREFORE, not simply in continuation of the ‘write' of Revelation 1:11, or because the apostle has recovered from his fear, but ‘Write, seeing that I am what I have now revealed Myself to be.' The following clauses of this verse are attended with great difficulty, and very va... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 1:20. THE MYSTERY OF THE STARS WHICH THOU SAWEST UPON MY RIGHT HAND. It is generally agreed that the word ‘mystery' here depends on ‘write,' and that it is in apposition with the ‘things which thou sawest' The word denotes what man cannot know by his natural powers, or without the help of... [ Continue Reading ]