Revelation 1:1-20. TITLE: SOURCE AND OBJECT OF THIS REVELATION: BLESSING ON THE READER AND KEEPER OF IT, AS THE TIME IS NEAR: INSCRIPTION TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES: APOSTOLIC GREETING: KEYNOTE, "BEHOLD HE COMETH" (Compare at the close, Revelation 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): INTRODUCTORY VISION OF THE SON OF MAN IN GLORY, AMIDST THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS, WITH SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND.
1. Revelation--an apocalypse or unveiling of those things which
had been veiled. A manifesto of the kingdom of Christ. The travelling
manual of the Church for the Gentile Christian times. Not a detailed history
of the future, but a representation of the great epochs and chief powers in
developing the kingdom of God in relation to the world. The "Church-historical"
view goes counter to the great principle that Scripture interprets itself.
Revelation is to teach us to understand the times, not the times to interpret to
us the Apocalypse, although it is in the nature of the case that a reflex
influence is exerted here and is understood by the prudent [AUBERLEN]. The book
is in a series of parallel groups, not in chronological succession. Still there
is an organic historical development of the kingdom of God. In this book all the
other books of the Bible end and meet: in it is the consummation of all previous
prophecy. Daniel foretells as to Christ and the Roman destruction of Jerusalem,
and the last Antichrist. But John's Revelation fills up the intermediate period,
and describes the millennium and final state beyond Antichrist. Daniel, as a
godly statesman, views the history of God's people in relation to the four
world kingdoms. John, as an apostle, views history from the Christian
Church aspect. The term Apocalypse is applied to no Old Testament
book. Daniel is the nearest approach to it; but what Daniel was told to seal
and shut up till the time of the end, John, now that the time is at
hand (Revelation
1:3), is directed to reveal.
of Jesus Christ--coming from Him. Jesus Christ, not John the
writer, is the Author of the Apocalypse. Christ taught many things before His
departure; but those which were unsuitable for announcement at that time He
brought together into the Apocalypse [BENGEL]. Compare His promise, John
15:15, "All things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known
unto you"; also, John
16:13, "The Spirit of truth will show you things to come."
The Gospels and Acts are the books, respectively, of His first advent, in the
flesh, and in the Spirit; the Epistles are the inspired comment on them. The
Apocalypse is the book of His second advent and the events preliminary to it.
which God gave unto him--The Father reveals Himself and His will in, and
by, His Son.
to show--The word recurs in Revelation
22:6: so entirely have the parts of Revelation reference to one another. It
is its peculiar excellence that it comprises in a perfect compendium future
things, and these widely differing: things close at hand, far off, and between
the two; great and little; destroying and saving; repeated from old prophecies
and new; long and short, and these interwoven with one another, opposed and
mutually agreeing; mutually involving and evolving one another; so that in no
book more than in this would the addition, or taking away, of a single word or
clause (Revelation
22:18,19), have the effect of marring the sense of the context and the
comparison of passages together [BENGEL].
his servants--not merely to "His servant John," but to all
His servants (compare Revelation
22:3).
shortly--Greek, "speedily"; literally, "in,"
or "with speed." Compare "the time is at hand," Revelation
1:3, 22:6,
"shortly"; Revelation
22:7, "Behold, I come quickly." Not that the things
prophesied were according to man's computation near; but this word
"shortly" implies a corrective of our estimate of worldly events and
periods. Though a "thousand years" (Revelation
20:1-15) at least are included, the time is declared to be at hand. Luke
18:8, "speedily." The Israelite Church hastened eagerly to the
predicted end, which premature eagerness prophecy restrains (compare Daniel
9:1-27). The Gentile Church needs to be reminded of the transitoriness of
the world (which it is apt to make its home) and the nearness of Christ's
advent. On the one hand Revelation says, "the time is at hand"; on the
other, the succession of seals, &c., show that many intermediate events must
first elapse.
he sent--Jesus Christ sent.
by his angel--joined with "sent." The angel does not come
forward to "signify" things to John until Revelation
17:1, 19:9,10.
Previous to that John receives information from others. Jesus Christ opens the
Revelation, Revelation
1:10,11, 4:1;
in Revelation
6:1 one of the four living creatures acts as his informant; in Revelation
7:13, one of the elders; in Revelation
10:8,9, the Lord and His angel who stood on the sea and earth. Only at the
end (Revelation
17:1) does the one angel stand by Him (compare Daniel
8:16, 9:21,
Zechariah
1:19).
2. bare record of--"testified the word of God" in this book.
Where we would say "testifies," the ancients in epistolary
communications use the past tense. The word of God constitutes his testimony; Revelation
1:3, "the words of this prophecy."
the testimony of Jesus--"the Spirit of prophecy" (Revelation
19:10).
and of all things that, &c.--The oldest manuscripts omit
"and." Translate, "whatsoever things he saw," in apposition
with "the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."
3. he that readeth, and they that hear--namely, the public reader in Church assemblies, and his hearers. In the first instance, he by whom John sent the book from Patmos to the seven churches, read it publicly: a usage most scriptural and profitable. A special blessing attends him who reads or hears the apocalyptic "prophecy" with a view to keeping the things therein (as there is but one article to "they that hear and keep those things," not two classes, but only one is meant: "they who not only hear, but also keep those things," Romans 2:13); even though he find not the key to its interpretation, he finds a stimulus to faith, hope, and patient waiting for Christ. Note: the term "prophecy" has relation to the human medium or prophet inspired, here John: "Revelation" to the Divine Being who reveals His will, here Jesus Christ. God gave the revelation to Jesus: He by His angel revealed it to John, who was to make it known to the Church.
4. John--the apostle. For none but he (supposing the writer an honest
man) would thus sign himself nakedly without addition. As sole survivor and
representative of the apostles and eye-witnesses of the Lord, he needed no
designation save his name, to be recognized by his readers.
seven churches--not that there were not more churches in that region, but
the number seven is fixed on as representing totality. These seven
represent the universal Church of all times and places. See TRENCH'S [Commentary
on the Epistles to the Seven Churches in Asia] interesting note, Revelation
1:20, on the number seven. It is the covenant number, the sign
of God's covenant relation to mankind, and especially to the Church. Thus, the seventh
day, sabbath (Genesis
2:3, Ezekiel
20:12). Circumcision, the sign of the covenant, after seven days (Genesis
17:12). Sacrifices (Numbers
23:1, 14:29,
2 Chronicles
29:21). Compare also God's acts typical of His covenant (Joshua
6:4,15,16, 2 Kings
5:10). The feasts ordered by sevens of time (Deuteronomy
15:1, 16:9,13,15).
It is a combination of three, the divine number (thus the Trinity: the
thrice Holy, Isaiah
6:3; the blessing, Numbers
6:24-26), and four the number of the organized world in its extension
(thus the four elements, the four seasons, the four winds,
the four corners or quarters of the earth, the four living
creatures, emblems of redeemed creaturely life, Revelation
4:6, Ezekiel
1:5,6, with four faces and four wings each; the four
beasts and four metals, representing the four world empires, Daniel
2:32,33, 7:3;
the four-sided Gospel designed for all quarters of the world; the sheet
tied at four corners, Acts
10:11; the four horns, the sum of the world's forces against the
Church, Zechariah
1:18). In the Apocalypse, where God's covenant with His Church comes to its
consummation, appropriately the number seven recurs still more frequently
than elsewhere in Scripture.
Asia--Proconsular, governed by a Roman proconsul: consisting of Phrygia,
Mysia, Caria, and Lydia: the kingdom which Attalus III had bequeathed to Rome.
Grace . . . peace--Paul's apostolical greeting. In his Pastoral
Epistles he inserts "mercy" in addition: so 2 John
1:3.
him which is . . . was . . . is to come--a
periphrasis for the incommunicable name JEHOVAH, the self-existing One,
unchangeable. In Greek the indeclinability of the designation here
implies His unchangeableness. Perhaps the reason why "He which is to
come" is used, instead of "He that shall be," is because the
grand theme of Revelation is the Lord's coming (Revelation
1:7). Still it is THE FATHER as distinguished from "Jesus Christ"
(Revelation
1:5) who is here meant. But so one are the Father and Son that the
designation, "which is to come," more immediately applicable to
Christ, is used here of the Father.
the seven Spirits which are before his throne--The oldest manuscripts
omit "are."
before--literally, "in the presence of." The Holy Spirit in His
sevenfold (that is, perfect, complete, and universal) energy. Corresponding to
"the seven churches." One in His own essence, manifold in His
gracious influences. The seven eyes resting on the stone laid by Jehovah
(Revelation
5:6). Four is the number of the creature world (compare the fourfold
cherubim); seven the number of God's revelation in the world.
5. the faithful witness--of the truth concerning Himself and His
mission as Prophet, Priest, and King Saviour. "He was the faithful
witness, because all things that He heard of the Father He faithfully made
known to His disciples. Also, because He taught the way of God in truth, and
cared not for man, nor regarded the persons of men. Also, because the truth
which He taught in words He confirmed by miracles. Also, because the testimony
to Himself on the part of the Father He denied not even in death. Lastly,
because He will give true testimony of the works of good and bad at the day of
judgment" [RICHARD OF ST. VICTOR in TRENCH]. The nominative in Greek
standing in apposition to the genitive, "Jesus Christ," gives majestic
prominence to "the faithful witness."
the first-begotten of the dead--(Colossians
1:18). Lazarus rose. to die again. Christ rose to die no more. The image is
not as if the grave was the womb of His resurrection-birth [ALFORD]; but as Acts
13:33, Romans
1:4, treat Christ's resurrection as the epoch and event which
fulfilled the Scripture, Psalms
2:7, "This day (at the resurrection) have I begotten Thee."
It was then that His divine Sonship as the God-man was manifested and openly
attested by the Father. So our resurrection and our manifested sonship, or
generation, are connected. Hence "regeneration" is used of the resurrection-state
at the restitution of all things (Matthew
19:28).
the prince--or Ruler. The kingship of the world which the tempter offered
to Jesus on condition of doing homage to him, and so shunning the cross, He has
obtained by the cross. "The kings of the earth" conspired against the
Lord's Anointed (Psalms
2:2): these He shall break in pieces (Psalms
2:9). Those who are wise in time and kiss the Son shall bring their glory
unto Him at His manifestation as King of kings, after He has destroyed His foes.
Unto him that loved us--The oldest manuscripts read the present, ". . .
loveth us." It is His ever-continuing character, He loveth us,
and ever shall love us. His love rests evermore on His people.
washed us--The two oldest manuscripts read, "freed (loosed as
from a bond) us": so ANDREAS and PRIMASIUS. One very old manuscript, Vulgate,
and Coptic read as English Version, perhaps drawn from Revelation
7:4. "loosed us in (virtue of) His blood," being the harder
reading to understand, is less likely to have come from the transcribers. The
reference is thus to Greek, "lutron," the ransom paid
for our release (Matthew
20:28). In favor of English Version reading is the usage whereby the
priests, before putting on the holy garments and ministering, washed
themselves: so spiritually believers, as priests unto God, must first be washed
in Christ's blood from every stain before they can serve God aright now, or
hereafter minister as dispensers of blessing to the subject nations in the
millennial kingdom, or minister before God in heaven.
6. And hath--rather as Greek, "And (He) hath."
made us kings--The oldest manuscripts read, "a kingdom." One
oldest manuscript reads the dative, "for us." Another reads
"us," accusative: so Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS. This
seems preferable, "He made us (to be) a kingdom." So Exodus
19:6, "a kingdom of priests"; 1 Peter
2:9, "a royal priesthood." The saints shall constitute peculiarly
a kingdom of God, and shall themselves be kings (Revelation
5:10). They shall share His King-Priest throne in the millennial kingdom.
The emphasis thus falls more on the kingdom than on priests:
whereas in English Version reading it is equally distributed between
both. This book lays prominent stress on the saints' kingdom. They are
kings because they are priests: the priesthood is the continuous ground and
legitimization of their kingship; they are kings in relation to man, priests in
relation to God, serving Him day and night in His temple (Revelation
7:15, 5:10).
The priest-kings shall rule, not in an external mechanical manner, but simply in
virtue of what they are, by the power of attraction and conviction overcoming
the heart [AUBERLEN].
priests--who have pre-eminently the privilege of near access to the king.
David's sons were priests (Hebrew), 2 Samuel
8:18. The distinction of priests and people, nearer and more remote
from God, shall cease; all shall have nearest access to Him. All persons and
things shall be holy to the Lord.
God and his Father--There is but one article to both in the Greek,
therefore it means, "Unto Him who is at once God and His Father."
glory and dominion--Greek, "the glory and the
might." The fuller threefold doxology occurs, Revelation
4:9,11; fourfold, Revelation
5:13, Jude
1:25; sevenfold, Revelation
7:12, 1 Chronicles
29:11. Doxology occupies the prominent place above, which prayer does below.
If we thought of God's glory first (as in the Lord's Prayer), and gave
the secondary place to our needs, we should please God and gain our petitions
better than we do.
for ever and ever--Greek, "unto the ages."
7. with clouds--Greek, "the clouds," namely,
of heaven. "A cloud received Him out of their sight" at His ascension
(Acts
1:9). His ascension corresponds to the manner of His coming again (Acts
1:11). Clouds are the symbols of wrath to sinners.
every eye--His coming shall therefore be a personal, visible appearing.
shall see--It is because they do not now see Him, they will not
believe. Contrast John
20:29.
they also--they in particular; "whosoever."
Primarily, at His pre-millennial advent the Jews, who shall "look
upon Him whom they have pierced," and mourn in repentance, and say,
"Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Secondarily, and
here chiefly, at the general judgment all the ungodly, not only those who
actually pierced Him, but those who did so by their sins, shall look with
trembling upon Him. John is the only one of the Evangelists who records the piercing
of Christ's side. This allusion identifies him as the author of the Apocalypse.
The reality of Christ's humanity and His death is proved by His having been pierced;
and the water and blood from His side were the antitype to the Levitical
waters of cleansing and blood offerings.
all kindreds . . . shall wail--all the unconverted at the
general judgment; and especially at His pre-millennial advent, the Antichristian
confederacy (Zechariah
12:3-6,9, 14:1-4,
Matthew
24:30). Greek, "all the tribes of the land,"
or "the earth." See the limitation to "all," Revelation
13:8. Even the godly while rejoicing in His love shall feel penitential
sorrow at their sins, which shall all be manifested at the general judgment.
because of--Greek, "at," or "in regard to
Him."
Even so, Amen--Gods seal of His own word; to which corresponds the
believer's prayer, Revelation
22:20. The "even so" is Greek; "Amen" is Hebrew.
To both Gentiles and Jews His promises and threats are unchangeable.
8. Greek, "I am the Alpha and the
Omega," The first and last letters of the alphabet. God in Christ comprises
all that goes between, as well as the first and last.
the beginning and the ending--omitted in the oldest manuscripts, though
found in Vulgate and Coptic. Transcribers probably inserted the
clause from Revelation
21:6. In Christ, Genesis, the Alpha of the Old Testament, and Revelation,
the Omega of the New Testament, meet together: the last book presenting to us
man and God reconciled in Paradise, as the first book presented man at the
beginning innocent and in God's favor in Paradise. Accomplishing finally
what I begin. Always the same; before the dragon, the beast, false
prophet, and all foes. An anticipatory consolation to the saints under the
coming trials of the Church.
the Lord--The oldest manuscripts read "the Lord God."
Almighty--Hebrew, "Shaddai," and "Jehovah
Sabaoth," that is, "of hosts"; commanding all the hosts or
powers in heaven and earth, so able to overcome all His Church's foes. It occurs
often in Revelation, but nowhere else in the New Testament save 2 Corinthians
6:18, a quotation from Isaiah.
9. I John--So "I Daniel" (Daniel
7:28, 9:2,
10:2).
One of the many features of resemblance between the Old Testament and the New
Testament apocalyptic seers. No other Scripture writer uses the phrase.
also--as well as being an apostle. The oldest manuscripts omit
"also." In his Gospel and Epistles he makes no mention of his name,
though describing himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Here,
with similar humility, though naming himself, he does not mention his
apostleship.
companion--Greek, "fellow partaker in the tribulation."
Tribulation is the necessary precursor of the kingdom," therefore
"the" is prefixed. This must be borne with "patient
endurance." The oldest manuscripts omit "in the" before
"kingdom." All three are inseparable: the tribulation, kingdom and
endurance.
patience--Translate, "endurance." "Persevering, enduring
continuance" (Acts
14:22); "the queen of the graces (virtues)" [CHRYSOSTOM].
of, &c.--The oldest manuscripts read "IN Jesus," or
"Jesus Christ." It is IN Him that believers have the right to the kingdom,
and the spiritual strength to enable them to endure patiently for it.
was--Greek, "came to be."
in . . . Patmos--now Patmo or Palmosa. on this island, and
John's exile to it under Domitian, from which he was released under Nerva.
Restricted to a small spot on earth, he is permitted to penetrate the wide
realms of heaven and its secrets. Thus John drank of Christ's cup, and was
baptized with His baptism (Matthew
20:22).
for--Greek, "for the sake of," "on account
of"; so, "because of the word of God and . . .
testimony." Two oldest manuscripts omit the second "for"; thus
"the Word of God" and "testimony of Jesus" are the more
closely joined. Two oldest manuscripts omit "Christ." The Apocalypse
has been always appreciated most by the Church in adversity. Thus the Asiatic
Church from the flourishing times of Constantine less estimated it. The African
Church being more exposed to the cross always made much of it [BENGEL].
10. I was--Greek, "I came to be"; "I
became."
in the Spirit--in a state of ecstasy; the outer world being shut out, and
the inner and higher life or spirit being taken full possession of by God's
Spirit, so that an immediate connection with the invisible world is established.
While the prophet "speaks" in the Spirit, the apocalyptic seer is
in the Spirit in his whole person. The spirit only (that which connects us
with God and the invisible world) is active, or rather recipient, in the
apocalyptic state. With Christ this being "in the Spirit" was not the
exception, but His continual state.
on the Lord's day--Though forcibly detained from Church communion with
the brethren in the sanctuary on the Lord's day, the weekly commemoration of the
resurrection, John was holding spiritual communion with them. This is the
earliest mention of the term, "the Lord's day." But the
consecration of the day to worship, almsgiving, and the Lord's Supper, is
implied in Acts
20:7, 1 Corinthians
16:2; compare John
20:19-26. The name corresponds to "the Lord's Supper," 1 Corinthians
11:20. IGNATIUS seems to allude to "the Lord's day" [Epistle to
the Magnesians, 9], and IRENÆUS [Quæst ad Orthod., 115] (in JUSTIN
MARTYR). JUSTIN MARTYR [Apology, 2.98], &c., "On Sunday we all
hold our joint meeting; for the first day is that on which God, having removed
darkness and chaos, made the world, and Jesus Christ our Saviour rose from the
dead. On the day before Saturday they crucified Him; and on the day after
Saturday, which is Sunday, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He
taught these things." To the Lord's day PLINY doubtless refers [Epistles,
Book X., p. 97], "The Christians on a fixed day before dawn meet and
sing a hymn to Christ as God," &c. TERTULLIAN [The Chaplet, 3],
"On the Lord's day we deem it wrong to fast." MELITO, bishop of Sardis
(second century), wrote a book on the Lord's day [EUSEBIUS 4.26]. Also,
DIONYSIUS OF CORINTH, in EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 4.23,8].
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [Miscellanies, 5. and 7.12]; ORIGEN [Against
Celsus, 8. 22]. The theory that the day of Christ's second coming is
meant, is untenable. "The day of the Lord" is different in the Greek
from "the Lord's (an adjective) day," which latter in the ancient
Church always designates our Sunday, though it is not impossible that the two
shall coincide (at least in some parts of the earth), whence a tradition is
mentioned in JEROME [Commentary on Matthew, 25], that the Lord's coming
was expected especially on the Paschal Lord's day. The visions of the
Apocalypse, the seals, trumpets, and vials, &c., are grouped in sevens,
and naturally begin on the first day of the seven, the birthday of the Church,
whose future they set forth [WORDSWORTH].
great voice--summoning solemn attention; Greek order, "I
heard a voice behind me great (loud) as (that) of a trumpet." The trumpet
summoned to religious feasts, and accompanies God's revelations of Himself.
11. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and--The oldest
manuscripts, omit all this clause.
write in a book--To this book, having such an origin, and to the
other books of Holy Scripture, who is there that gives the weight which their
importance demands, preferring them to the many books of the world? [BENGEL].
seven churches--As there were many other churches in Proconsular Asia
(for example, Miletus, Magnesia, Tralles), besides the seven specified,
doubtless the number seven is fixed upon because of its mystical
signification, expressing totality and universality. The words,
"which are in Asia" are rejected by the oldest manuscripts, A, B, C,
CYPRIAN, Vulgate, and Syriac; Coptic alone supports them of old
authorities. These seven are representative churches; and, as a complex whole,
ideally complete, embody the chief spiritual characteristics of the Church,
whether as faithful or unfaithful, in all ages. The churches selected are not
taken at random, but have a many-sided completeness. Thus, on one side we have
Smyrna, a Church exposed to persecutions unto death; on the other Sardis, having
a high name for spiritual life and yet dead. Again, Laodicea, in
its own estimate rich and having need of nothing, with ample
talents, yet lukewarm in Christ's cause; on the other hand, Philadelphia,
with but a little strength, yet keeping Christ's word and having
an open door of usefulness set before it by Christ Himself. Again,
Ephesus, intolerant of evil and of false apostles, yet having left
its first love; on the other hand, Thyatira, abounding in works, love,
service, and faith, yet suffering the false prophetess to seduce
many. In another aspect, Ephesus in conflict with false freedom, that is fleshly
licentiousness (the Nicolaitanes); so also Pergamos in conflict with Balaam-like
tempters to fornication and idol-meats; and on the other side,
Philadelphia in conflict with the Jewish synagogue, that is, legal bondage.
Finally, Sardis and Laodicea without any active opposition to call forth their
spiritual energies; a dangerous position, considering man's natural indolence.
In the historic scheme of interpretation, which seems fanciful, Ephesus (meaning
"the beloved" or "desired" [STIER]) represents the waning
period of the apostolic age. Smyrna ("myrrh"), bitter suffering, yet
sweet and costly perfume, the martyr period of the Decian and Diocletian age.
Pergamos (a "castle" or "tower"), the Church possessing
earthly power and decreasing spirituality from Constantine's time until the
seventh century. Thyatira ("unwearied about sacrifices"), the Papal
Church in the first half of the Middle Ages; like "Jezebel," keen
about its so-called sacrifice of the mass, and slaying the prophets and
witnesses of God. Sardis, from the close of the twelfth century to the
Reformation. Philadelphia ("brotherly love"), the first century of the
Reformation. Laodicea, the Reformed Church after its first zeal had become lukewarm.
12. see the voice--that is, ascertain whence the voice
came; to see who was it from whom the voice proceeded.
that--Greek, "of what kind it was which." The
voice is that of God the Father, as at Christ's baptism and transfiguration, so
here in presenting Christ as our High Priest.
spake--The oldest manuscripts, versions, and Fathers read, "was
speaking."
being--"having turned."
seven . . . candlesticks--"lamp-stands" [KELLY]. The
stand holding the lamp. In Exodus
25:31,32, the seven are united in ONE candlestick or lamp-stand, that is,
six arms and a central shaft; so Zechariah
4:2,11. Here the seven are separate candlesticks, typifying, as that one,
the entire Church, but now no longer as the Jewish Church (represented by the one
sevenfold candlestick) restricted to one outward unity and one place; the
several churches are mutually independent as to external ceremonies and
government (provided all things are done to edification, and schisms or needless
separations are avoided), yet one in the unity of the Spirit and the Headship of
Christ. The candlestick is not light, but the bearer of light, holding it forth
to give light around. The light is the Lord's, not the Church's; from Him she
receives it. She is to be a light-bearer to His glory. The candlestick stood in
the holy place, the type of the Church on earth, as the holiest place was type
of the Church in heaven. The holy place's only light was derived from the
candlestick, daylight being excluded; so the Lord God is the Church's only
light; hers is the light of grace, not nature. "Golden" symbolizes at
once the greatest preciousness and sacredness; so that in the Zend
Avesta, "golden" is synonymous with heavenly or divine [TRENCH].
13. His glorified form as man could be recognized by John, who had
seen it at the Transfiguration.
in the midst--implying Christ's continual presence and ceaseless activity
in the midst of His people on earth. In Revelation
4:1-3, when He appears in heaven, His insignia undergo a
corresponding change yet even there the rainbow reminds us of His everlasting
covenant with them.
seven--omitted in two of the oldest manuscripts, but supported by one.
Son of man--The form which John had seen enduring the agony of
Gethsemane, and the shame and anguish of Calvary, he now sees glorified. His
glory (as Son of man, not merely Son of God) is the result of His
humiliation as Son of man.
down to the foot--a mark of high rank. The garment and girdle seem to be
emblems of His priesthood. Compare Exodus
28:2,4,31; Septuagint. Aaron's robe and girdle were "for glory
and beauty," and combined the insignia of royalty and priesthood, the
characteristics of Christ's antitypical priesthood "after the order of
Melchisedec." His being in the midst of the candlesticks (only seen
in the temple), shows that it is as a king-priest He is so
attired. This priesthood He has exercised ever since His ascension; and,
therefore He here wears its emblems. As Aaron wore these insignia when He came
forth from the sanctuary to bless the people (Leviticus
16:4,23,24, the chetoneth, or holy linen coat), so when Christ shall
come again, He shall appear in the similar attire of "beauty and
glory" (Isaiah
4:2, Margin). The angels are attired somewhat like their Lord (Revelation
15:6). The ordinary girding for one actively engaged, was at the loins;
but JOSEPHUS [Antiquities,3.7.2], expressly tells us that the Levitical
priests were girt higher up, about the breasts or paps, appropriate to
calm, majestic movement. The girdle bracing the frame together, symbolizes
collected powers. Righteousness and faithfulness are Christ's
girdle. The high priest's girdle was only interwoven with gold, but Christ's is
all of gold; the antitype exceeds the type.
14.--Greek, "But," or "And."
like wool--Greek, "like white wool." The color
is the point of comparison; signifying purity and glory. (So in Isaiah
1:18). Not age, for hoary hairs are the sign of decay.
eyes . . . as . . . flame--all-searching and
penetrating like fire: at the same time, also, implying consuming
indignation against sin, especially at His coming "in flaming fire, taking
vengeance" on all the ungodly, which is confirmed as the meaning here, by Revelation
19:11,12.
15. fine brass--Greek, "chalcolibanus,"
derived by some from two Greek words, "brass" and
"frankincense"; derived by BOCHART from Greek, "chalcos,"
"brass," and Hebrew, "libbeen," "to
whiten"; hence, "brass," which in the furnace has reached a white
heat. Thus it answers to "burnished (flashing, or glowing) brass," Ezekiel
1:7, Revelation
10:1, "His feet as pillars of fire." Translate, "Glowing
brass, as if they had been made fiery (red-hot) in a furnace." The feet of
the priests were bare in ministering in the sanctuary. So our great High Priest
here.
voice as . . . many waters--(Ezekiel
43:2); in Daniel
10:6, it is "like the voice of a multitude." As the
Bridegroom's voice, so the bride's, Revelation
14:2, 19:6,
Ezekiel
1:24, the cherubim, or redeemed creation. His voice, however, is here
regarded in its terribleness to His foes. Contrast Solomon
2:8, 5:2,
with which compare Revelation
3:20.
16. he had--Greek, "having." John takes up the
description from time to time, irrespective of the construction, with
separate strokes of the pencil [ALFORD].
in . . . right hand seven stars--(Revelation
1:20, Revelation
2:1, 3:1).
He holds them as a star-studded "crown of glory," or "royal
diadem," in His hand: so Isaiah
62:3. He is their Possessor and Upholder.
out of . . . mouth went--Greek, "going forth";
not wielded in the hand. His WORD is omnipotent in executing His will in
punishing sinners. It is the sword of His Spirit. Reproof and punishment, rather
than its converting winning power, is the prominent point. Still, as He
encourages the churches, as well as threatens, the former quality of the Word is
not excluded. Its two edges (back and front) may allude to its double
efficacy, condemning some, converting others. TERTULLIAN [Epistle against
Judaizers], takes them of the Old and the New Testaments. RICHARD OF
ST. VICTOR, "the Old Testament cutting externally our carnal, the
New Testament internally, our spiritual sins."
sword--Greek, "romphaia," the Thracian long and
heavy broad sword: six times in Revelation, once only elsewhere in New
Testament, namely, Luke
2:35.
sun . . . in his strength--in unclouded power. So shall the
righteous shine, reflecting the image of the Sun of righteousness. TRENCH
notices that this description, sublime as a purely mental conception, would be
intolerable if we were to give it an outward form. With the Greeks, æsthecial
taste was the first consideration, to which all others must give way. With the
Hebrews, truth and the full representation ideally of the religious reality were
the paramount consideration, that representation being designed not to be
outwardly embodied, but to remain a purely mental conception. This exalting of
the essence above the form marks their deeper religious earnestness.
17. So fallen is man that God's manifestation of His glorious presence
overwhelms him.
laid his right hand upon me--So the same Lord Jesus did at the
Transfiguration to the three prostrate disciples, of whom John was one, saying,
Be not afraid. The "touch" of His hand, as of old, imparted strength.
unto me--omitted in the oldest manuscripts.
the first . . . the last--(Isaiah
41:4, 44:6,
48:12).
From eternity, and enduring to eternity: "the First by creation, the Last
by retribution: the First, because before Me there was no God formed; the Last,
because after Me there shall be no other: the First, because from Me are all
things; the Last, because to Me all things return" [RICHARD OF ST. VICTOR].
18. Translate as Greek, "And THE LIVING ONE":
connected with last sentence, Revelation
1:17.
and was--Greek, "and (yet) I became."
alive for evermore--Greek, "living unto the ages of
ages": not merely "I live," but I have life, and am the
source of it to My people. "To Him belongs absolute being, as
contrasted with the relative being of the creature; others may share,
He only hath immortality: being in essence, not by mere participation,
immortal" [THEODORET in TRENCH]. One oldest manuscript, with English
Version, reads Amen." Two others, and most of the oldest versions and
Fathers, omit it. His having passed through death as one of us, and now living
in the infinite plenitude of life, reassures His people, since through Him death
is the gate of resurrection to eternal life.
have . . . keys of hell--Greek, "Hades"; Hebrew,
"Sheol." "Hell" in the sense, the place of torment,
answers to a different Greek word, namely, Gehenna. I can release
from the unseen world of spirits and from DEATH whom I will. The
oldest manuscripts read by transposition, "Death and Hades," or
Hell." It is death (which came in by sin, robbing man of his immortal
birthright, Romans
5:12) that peoples Hades, and therefore should stand first in order. Keys
are emblems of authority, opening and shutting at will "the gates of
Hades" (Psalms
9:13,14, Isaiah
38:10, Matthew
16:18).
19. The oldest manuscripts read, "Write therefore"
(inasmuch as I, "the First and Last," have the keys of death, and
vouchsafe to thee this vision for the comfort and warning of the Church).
things which are--"the things which thou hast seen" are those
narrated in this chapter (compare Revelation
1:11). "The things which are" imply the present state of things in
the churches when John was writing, as represented in the second and third
chapters. "The things which shall be hereafter," the things
symbolically represented concerning the future history of the fourth through
twenty-second chapters. ALFORD translates, "What things they signify";
but the antithesis of the next clause forbids this, "the things which shall
be hereafter," Greek, "which are about to come to pass."
The plural (Greek) "are," instead of the usual Greek
construction singular, is owing to churches and persons
being meant by things" in the clause, "the things which are."
20. in--Greek, "upon My right hand."
the mystery . . . candlesticks--in apposition to, and
explaining, "the things which thou hast seen," governed by
"Write." Mystery signifies the hidden truth, veiled under this
symbol, and now revealed; its correlative is revelation. Stars symbolize
lordship (Numbers
24:17; compare Daniel
12:3, of faithful teachers; Revelation
8:10, 12:4,
Jude
1:13).
angels--not as ALFORD, from ORIGEN [Homily 13 on Luke, and Homily
20 on Numbers], the guardian angels of the churches, just as individuals
have their guardian angels. For how could heavenly angels be charged with the
delinquencies laid here to the charge of these angels? Then, if a human angel be
meant (as the Old Testament analogy favors, Haggai
1:13, "the Lord's Messenger in the Lord's message"; Malachi
2:7, 3:1),
the bishop, or superintendent pastor, must be the angel. For whereas
there were many presbyters in each of the larger churches (as for example,
Ephesus, Smyrna, &c.), there was but one angel, whom, moreover, the
Chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls holds responsible for the spiritual state of
the Church under him. The term angel, designating an office, is, in
accordance with the enigmatic symbolism of this book, transferred from the
heavenly to the earthly superior ministers of Jehovah; reminding them that, like
the heavenly angels above, they below should fulfil God's mission zealously,
promptly and efficiently. "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in
heaven!"
