THE REVELATION OF THE LIVING CHRIST _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Revelation 1:1. THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.—This may mean, “belonging to, or proceeding from, Jesus Christ,” or it may be the revelation concerning Jesus Christ; _i.e_., the partial unfolding of what He, as the living one, is d... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Revelation 1:4. CHURCHES.—Or congregations. ASIA.—The single province, not the whole Asia Minor. It may have been the province in which St. John had chiefly laboured. The Seven Churches are taken as types of the varieties in the churches which make up together the _o... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Revelation 1:8. ALPHA AND OMEGA.—First and last letters of the Greek alphabet, regarded as including all the letters between. So Christ bears relation to the whole story of humanity, from its beginning to its close. Recalling Revelation 1:4, we incline to refer this... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Revelation 1:9. COMPANION.—As having a full share in the experience of those who confess and serve Christ. TRIBULATION.—The work of the threshing roller (_tribulum_). The troubles and persecutions of Christ’s Church were, in the control of Christ, separating the chaf... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Revelation 1:12. SEE THE VOICE.—“See Him whose voice I heard.” SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS.—Compare Zechariah 4:2. Lamp-stands would be a better term. Not one candlestick with seven branches, but seven candlesticks. The independence of the _Churches_ of Christ is consi... [ Continue Reading ]