And he showed me a river of the water of life — The ever fresh and fruitful effluence of the Holy Ghost. See Ezekiel 47:1; where also the trees are mentioned which "bear fruit every month," that is, perpetually. Proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb — "All that the Father hath," saith... [ Continue Reading ]
In the midst of the street — Here is the paradise of God, mentioned, Revelation 2:7. Is the tree of life — Not one tree only, but many. Every month — That is, in inexpressible abundance. The variety, likewise, as well as the abundance of the fruits of the Spirit, may be intimated thereby. And the le... [ Continue Reading ]
And there shall be no more curse — But pure life and blessing; every effect of the displeasure of God for sin being now totally removed. But the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it — That is, the glorious presence and reign of God. And his servants — The highest honour in the universe. Shalt w... [ Continue Reading ]
And shall see his face — Which was not granted to Moses. They shall have the nearest access to, and thence the highest resemblance of, him. This is the highest expression in the language of scripture to denote the most perfect happiness of the heavenly state, 1 John 3:2. And his name shall be on the... [ Continue Reading ]
And they shall reign for ever and ever — What encouragement is this to the patience and faithfulness of the saints, that, whatever their sufferings are, they will work out for them "an eternal weight of glory!" Thus ends the doctrine of this Revelation, in the everlasting happiness of all the faithf... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said to me — Here begins the conclusion of the book, exactly agreeing with the introduction, (particularly Revelation 22:6, Revelation 22:10, with Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:3,) and giving light to the whole book, as this book does to the whole scripture. These sayings are faithful and true... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I come quickly — Saith our Lord himself, to accomplish these things. Happy is he that keepeth — Without adding or diminishing, Revelation 22:18, the words of this book.... [ Continue Reading ]
I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel — The very same words which occur, Revelation 19:10. The reproof of the angel, likewise, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellowservant, is expressed in the very same terms as before. May it not be the very same incident which is here related again? Is... [ Continue Reading ]
See thou do it not — The expression in the original is short and elliptical, as is usual in showing vehement aversion.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he saith to me — After a little pause. Seal not the sayings of this book — Conceal them not, like the things that are sealed up. The time is nigh — Wherein they shall begin to take place.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is unrighteous — As if he had said, The final judgment is at hand; after which the condition of all mankind will admit of no change for ever. Unrighteous — Unjustified. Filthy — Unsanctified, unholy.... [ Continue Reading ]
I — Jesus Christ. Come quickly — To judge the world. And my reward is with me — The rewards which I assign both to the righteous and the wicked are given at my coming. To give to every man according as his work — His whole inward and outward behaviour shall be.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last — Who exist from everlasting to everlasting. How clear, incontestable a proof, does our Lord here give of his divine glory!... [ Continue Reading ]
Happy are they that do his commandments — His, who saith, I come — He speaks of himself. That they may have right — Through his gracious covenant. To the tree of life — To all the blessings signified by it. When Adam broke his commandment, he was driven from the tree of life. They who keep his comma... [ Continue Reading ]
Without are dogs — The sentence in the original is abrupt, as expressing abhorrence. The gates are ever open; but not for dogs; fierce and rapacious men.... [ Continue Reading ]
I Jesus have sent my angel to testify these things — Primarily. To you — The seven angels of the churches; then to those churches — and afterwards to all other churches in succeeding ages. I — as God. Am the root — And source of David's family and kingdom; as man, an descended from his loins. "I am... [ Continue Reading ]
The Spirit and the bride — The Spirit of adoption in the bride, in the heart of every true believer. Say — With earnest desire and expectation. Come — And accomplish all the words of this prophecy. And let him that thirsteth, come — Here they also who are farther off are invited. And whosoever will,... [ Continue Reading ]
I testify to every one, &c. — From the fulness of his heart, the apostle utters this testimony, this weighty admonition, not only to the churches of Asia, but to all who should ever hear this book. He that adds, all the plagues shall be added to him; he that takes from it, all the blessings shall be... [ Continue Reading ]
He that testifieth these things — Even all that is contained in this book. Saith — For the encouragement of the church in all her afflictions. Yea — Answering the call of the Spirit and the bride. I come quickly — To destroy all her enemies, and establish her in a state of perfect and everlasting ha... [ Continue Reading ]
The grace — The free love. Of the Lord Jesus — And all its fruits. Be with all — Who thus long for his appearing! It may be proper to subjoin here a short view of the whole contents of this book. In the year of the world, 3940. Jesus Christ is born, three years before the common computation. In tha... [ Continue Reading ]