THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE Chronological Notes relative to this Book. -Year of the Constantinopolitan era of the world, or that used by the Byzantine historians, and other eastern writers, 5604. -Year of the Alexandrian era of the world, 5598. -Year of the Antiochian era of the world,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:2. _WHO BARE RECORD OF THE WORD OF GOD_] Is there a reference here to the first chapter of John's _gospel, In the_ _beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God_, c.? Of this _Word_ John did bear record. Or, does the writer mean the _fidelity_ with which he noted and related... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:3. _BLESSED_ IS _HE THAT READETH_] This is to be understood of the happiness or security of the persons who, reading and hearing the prophecies of those things which were to come to pass shortly, took proper measures to escape from the impending evils. _THE TIME_ IS _AT HAND__._]... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:4. _JOHN TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES_] The apostle begins this much in the manner of the Jewish prophets. They often name themselves in the messages which they receive from God to deliver to the people; e.g. "The vision of ISAIAH, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerus... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:5. _THE FAITHFUL WITNESS_] The true teacher, whose testimony is infallible, and whose sayings must all come to pass. _THE FIRST-BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD_] Colossians 1:18. _THE PRINCE OF THE KINGS_] ο αρχων, The _chief_ or _head_, of all earthly potentates; who has them all under hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:6. _KINGS AND PRIESTS_] See on 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9. But instead of βασιλεις και ιερεις, _kings and priests_ the most reputable MSS., versions, and fathers have βασιλειαν ιερεις, _a kingdom_ and _priests_; i.e. a kingdom of priests, or a royal priesthood. The _regal_ and _sace... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:7. _BEHOLD, HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS_] This relates to his coming to execute judgment on the enemies of his religion; perhaps to his coming to destroy Jerusalem, as he was to be particularly manifested to them that _pierced him_, which must mean the incredulous and rebellious Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:8. _I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA_] I am from eternity to eternity. This mode of speech is borrowed from the Jews, who express the _whole compass of things_ by א _aleph_ and ת _tau_, the _first_ and _last_ letters of the _Hebrew_ alphabet; but as St. John was writing in _Greek_, he accommo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:9. _YOUR BROTHER_] A Christian, begotten of God, and incorporated in the heavenly _family_. _COMPANION IN TRIBULATION_] Suffering under the persecution in which you also suffer. _IN THE KINGDOM_] For we are a kingdom of priests unto God. _AND PATIENCE OF JESUS_] Meekly bearing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:10. _I WAS IN THE SPIRIT_] That is, I received the Spirit of prophecy, and was under its influence when the first vision was exhibited. _THE LORD'S DAY_] The first day of the week, observed as the Christian Sabbath, because on it Jesus Christ rose from the dead; therefore it was... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:11. _I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE LAST: AND_] This whole clause is wanting in ABC, thirty-one others; some editions; the _Syriac, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Slavonic,_ _Vulgate, Arethas, Andreas_, and _Primasius_. Griesbach has left it out of the text. _SAYING-WHAT T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:12. And I turned For he had heard the voice behind him. _To_ _see the voice_; i.e., the person from whom the voice came. _SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS_] Ἑπτα λυχνιας χρυσας· _Seven golden_ _lamps_. It is absurd to say, a golden silver, or brazen candle_stick_. These seven lamps re... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:13. _LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN_] This seems a reference to Daniel 7:13. This was our blessed Lord himself, Revelation 1:18. _CLOTHED WITH A GARMENT DOWN TO THE FOOT_] This is a description of the _high priest_, in his sacerdotal robes. See these described at large in the notes on... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:14. _HIS HEAD AND_ HIS _HAIRS_ WERE _WHITE LIKE WOOL_] This was not only an emblem of his _antiquity_, but it was the evidence of his _glory_; for the _whiteness_ or splendour of his head and hair doubtless proceeded from the _rays of light_ and _glory_ which encircled his head, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:15. _HIS FEET LIKE UNTO FINE BRASS_] An emblem of his _stability_ and _permanence, brass_ being considered the most durable of all metallic substances or compounds. The original word, χαλκολιβανον, means the famous _aurichalcum_, or factitious metal, which, according to _Suidas_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:16. _IN HIS RIGHT HAND SEVEN STARS_] The _stars_ are afterwards interpreted as representing the _seven angels_, messengers, or bishops of the _seven Churches_. Their being in the _right hand_ of Christ shows that they are under his special care and most powerful protection. See be... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:17. _I FELL AT HIS FEET AS DEAD._] The appearance of the _glory_ of the Lord had then same effect upon Ezekiel, Ezekiel 1:28: and the appearance of Gabriel had the same effect on Daniel, Daniel 8:17. The terrible splendour of such majesty was more than the apostle could bear, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:18. I am _HE THAT LIVETH, AND WAS DEAD_] I am Jesus the Saviour, who, though the fountain of life, have died for mankind; and being raised from the dead I shall die no more, the great sacrifice being consummated. _And have the keys of death and the_ _grave_, so that I can destroy... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:19. _WRITE THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST SEEN_] These visions and prophecies are for general instruction, and therefore every circumstance must be faithfully recorded. What he _had seen_ was to be written; what he _was about to see_, relative to the seven Churches, must be also writt... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 1:20. _THE MYSTERY_] That is, the _allegorical_ explanation of the _seven stars_ is the _seven angels_ or ministers of the Churches; and the allegorical meaning of the _seven golden lamps_ is the _seven_ _Churches_ themselves. 1. IN the _seven stars_ there may be an allusion to th... [ Continue Reading ]