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 ]