Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Revelation 1
Verse 1. The Revelation - Properly so called; for things covered before
are here revealed, or unveiled. No prophecy in the Old Testament
has this title; it was reserved for this alone in the New. It is, as it
were, a manifesto, wherein the Heir of all things declares that all
power is given him in heaven and earth, and that he will in the end
gloriously exercise that power, maugre all the opposition of all his
enemies. Of Jesus Christ - Not of "John the Divine," a title added
in latter ages. Certain it is, that appellation, the Divine, was not
brought into the church, much less was it affixed to John the
apostle, till long after the apostolic age. It was St. John, indeed,
who wrote this book, but the author of it is Jesus Christ. Which
God gave unto him - According to his holy, glorified humanity, as
the great Prophet of the church. God gave the Revelation to Jesus
Christ; Jesus Christ made it known to his servants. To show - This
word recurs, chap. xxii, 6; and in many places the parts of this
book refer to each other. Indeed the whole structure of it breathes
the art of God, comprising, in the most finished compendium,
things to come, many, various; near, intermediate, remote; the
greatest, the least; terrible, comfortable; old, new; long, short; and
these interwoven together, opposite, composite; relative to each
other at a small, at a great, distance; and therefore sometimes, as it
were, disappearing, broken off, suspended, and afterwards
unexpectedly and most seasonably appearing again. In all its parts
it has an admirable variety, with the most exact harmony,
beautifully illustrated by those very digressions which seem to
interrupt it. In this manner does it display the manifold wisdom of
God shining in the economy of the church through so many ages.
His servants - Much is comprehended in this appellation. It is a
great thing to be a servant of Jesus Christ. This book is dedicated
particularly to the servants of Christ in the seven churches in Asia;
but not exclusive of all his other servants, in all nations and ages.
It is one single Revelation, and yet sufficient for them all, from
the time it was written to the end of the world. Serve thou the
Lord Jesus Christ in truth: so shalt thou learn his secret in this
book; yea, and thou shalt feel in thy heart whether this book be
divine, or not. The things which must shortly come to pass - The
things contained in this prophecy did begin to be accomplished
shortly after it was given; and the whole might be said to come to
pass shortly, in the same sense as St. Peter says, "The end of all
things is at hand;" and our Lord himself, "Behold, I come
quickly." There is in this book a rich treasure of all the doctrines
pertaining to faith and holiness. But these are also delivered in
other parts of holy writ; so that the Revelation need not to have
been given for the sake of these. The peculiar design of this is, to
show the things which must come to pass. And this we are
especially to have before our eyes whenever we read or hear it. It
is said afterward, "Write what thou seest;" and again, "Write what
thou hast seen, and what is, and what shall be hereafter;" but here,
where the scope of the hook is shown, it is only said, the things
which must come to pass. Accordingly, the showing things to
come, is the great point in view throughout the whole. And St.
John writes what he has seen, and what is, only as it has an
influence on, or gives light to, what shall be. And he - Jesus
Christ. Sent and signified them - Showed them by signs or
emblems; so the Greek word properly means. By his angel -
Peculiarly called, in the sequel, "the angel of God," and
particularly mentioned, chap. xvii, 1; xxi, 9; xxii, 6, 16. To his
servant John - A title given to no other single person throughout
the book.
Verse
2. Who hath testified - In the following book. The word of God -
Given directly by God. And the testimony of Jesus - Which he
hath left us, as the faithful and true witness. Whatsoever things he
saw - In such a manner as was a full confirmation of the divine
original of this book.
Verse
3. Happy is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of this
prophecy - Some have miserably handled this book. Hence others
are afraid to touch it; and, while they desire to know all things
else, reject only the knowledge of those which God hath shown.
They inquire after anything rather than this; as if it were written,
"Happy is he that doth not read this prophecy." Nay, but happy is
he that readeth, and they that hear, and keep the words thereof -
Especially at this time, when so considerable a part of them is on
the point of being fulfilled. Nor are helps wanting whereby any
sincere and diligent inquirer may understand what he reads
therein. The book itself is written in the most accurate manner
possible. It distinguishes the several things whereof it treats by
seven epistles, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven phials; each of
which sevens is divided into four and three. Many things the book
itself explains; as the seven stars; the seven candlesticks; the
lamb, his seven horns and seven eyes; the incense; the dragon; the
heads and horns of the beasts; the fine linen; the testimony of
Jesus: and much light arises from comparing it with the ancient
prophecies, and the predictions in the other books of the New
Testament. In this book our Lord has comprised what was
wanting in those prophecies touching the time which followed his
ascension and the end of the Jewish polity. Accordingly, it
reaches from the old Jerusalem to the new, reducing all things into
one sum, in the exactest order, and with a near resemblance to the
ancient prophets. The introduction and conclusion agree with
Daniel; the description of the man child, and the promises to Sion,
with Isaiah; the judgment of Babylon, with Jeremiah; again, the
determination of times, with Daniel; the architecture of the holy
city, with Ezekiel; the emblems of the horses, candlesticks, &c.,
with Zechariah. Many things largely described by the prophets are
here summarily repeated; and frequently in the same words. To
them we may then usefully have recourse. Yet the Revelation
suffices for the explaining itself, even if we do not yet understand
those prophecies; yea, it casts much light upon them. Frequently,
likewise, where there is a resemblance between them, there is a
difference also; the Revelation, as it were, taking a stock from one
of the old prophets, and inserting a new graft into it. Thus
Zechariah speaks of two olive trees; and so does St. John; but with
a different meaning. Daniel has a beast with ten horns; so has St.
John; but not with quite the same signification. And here the
difference of words, emblems, things, times, ought studiously to
be observed. Our Lord foretold many things before his passion;
but not all things; for it was not yet seasonable. Many things,
likewise, his Spirit foretold in the writings of the apostles, so far
as the necessities of those times required: now he comprises them
all in one short book; therein presupposing all the other
prophecies, and at the same time explaining, continuing, and
perfecting them in one thread. It is right therefore to compare
them; but not to measure the fulness of these by the scantiness of
those preceding. Christ, when on earth, foretold what would come
to pass in a short time; adding a brief description of the last
things. Here he foretells the intermediate things; so that both put
together constitute one complete chain of prophecy. This book is
therefore not only the sum and the key of all the prophecies which
preceded, but likewise a supplement to all; the seals being closed
before. Of consequence, it contains many particulars not revealed
in any other part of scripture. They have therefore little gratitude
to God for such a Revelation, reserved for the exaltation of Christ,
who boldly reject whatever they find here which was not revealed,
or not so clearly, in other parts of scripture. He that readeth and
they that hear - St. John probably sent this book by a single person
into Asia, who read it in the churches, while many heard. But this,
likewise, in a secondary sense, refers to all that shall duly read or
hear it in all ages. The words of this prophecy - It is a Revelation
with regard to Christ who gives it; a prophecy, with regard to John
who delivers it to the churches. And keep the things which are
written therein - In such a manner as the nature of them requires;
namely, with repentance, faith, patience, prayer, obedience,
watchfulness, constancy. It behoves every Christian, at all
opportunities, to read what is written in the oracles of God; and to
read this precious book in particular, frequently, reverently, and
attentively. For the time - Of its beginning to be accomplished. Is
near - Even when St. John wrote. How much nearer to us is even
the full accomplishment of this weighty prophecy!
Verse
4. John - The dedication of this book is contained in the fourth,
fifth, and sixth verses; but the whole Revelation is a kind of letter.
To the seven churches which are in Asia - That part of the Lesser
Asia which was then a Roman province. There had been several
other churches planted here; but it seems these were now the most
eminent; and it was among these that St. John had laboured most
during his abode in Asia. In these cities there were many Jews.
Such of them as believed in each were joined with the gentile
believers in one church. Grace be unto you, and peace - The
favour of God, with all temporal and eternal blessings. From him
who is, and who was, and who cometh, or, who is to come - A
wonderful translation of the great name JEHOVAH: he was of
old, he is now, he cometh; that is, will be for ever. And from the
seven spirits which are before his throne - Christ is he who "hath
the seven spirits of God." "The seven lamps which burn before the
throne are the seven spirits of God." " The lamb hath seven horns
and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God." Seven was a
sacred number in the Jewish church: but it did not always imply a
precise number. It sometimes is to be taken figuratively, to denote
completeness or perfection. By these seven spirits, not seven
created angels, but the Holy Ghost is to be understood. The angels
are never termed spirits in this book; and when all the angels
stand up, while the four living creatures and the four and twenty
elders worship him that sitteth on the throne, and the Lamb, the
seven spirits neither stand up nor worship. To these "seven spirits
of God," the seven churches, to whom the Spirit speaks so many
things, are subordinate; as are also their angels, yea, and "the
seven angels which stand before God." He is called the seven
spirits, not with regard to his essence, which is one, but with
regard to his manifold operations.
Verse
5. And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten
from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth - Three
glorious appellations are here given him, and in their proper order.
He was the faithful witness of the whole will of God before his
death, and in death, and remains such in glory. He rose from the
dead, as "the first fruits of them that slept;" and now hath all
power both in heaven and earth. He is here styled a prince: but by
and by he hears his title of king; yea, King of kings, and Lord of
lords." This phrase, the kings of the earth, signifies their power
and multitude, and also the nature of their kingdom. It became the
Divine Majesty to call them kings with a limitation; especially in
this manifesto from his heavenly kingdom; for no creature, much
less a sinful man, can bear the title of king in an absolute sense
before the eyes of God.
Verse
6. To him that loveth us, and, out of that free, abundant love, hath
washed us from the guilt and power of our sins with his own
blood, and hath made us kings - Partakers of his present, and heirs
of his eternal, kingdom. And priests unto his God and Father - To
whom we continually offer ourselves, an holy, living sacrifice. To
him be the glory - For his love and redemption. And the might -
Whereby he governs all things.
Verse
7. Behold - In this and the next verse is the proposition, and the
summary of the whole book. He cometh - Jesus Christ.
Throughout this book, whenever it is said, He cometh, it means
his glorious coming. The preparation for this began at the
destruction of Jerusalem, and more particularly at the time of
writing this book; and goes on, without any interruption, till that
grand event is accomplished. Therefore it is never said in this
book, He will come; but, He cometh. And yet it is not said, He
cometh again: for when he came before, it was not like himself,
but in "the form of a servant." But his appearing in glory is
properly his coming; namely, in a manner worthy of the Son of
God. And every eye - Of the Jews in particular. Shall see him -
But with what different emotions, according as they had received
or rejected him. And they who have pierced him - They, above all,
who pierced his hands, or feet, or side. Thomas saw the print of
these wounds even after his resurrection; and the same,
undoubtedly, will be seen by all, when he cometh in the clouds of
heaven. And all the tribes of the earth - The word tribes, in the
Revelation, always means the Israelites: but where another word,
such as nations or people, is joined with it, it implies likewise (as
here) all the rest of mankind. Shall wail because of him - For
terror and pain, if they did not wail before by true repentance.
Yea, Amen - This refers to, every eye shall see him. He that
cometh saith, Yea; he that testifies it, Amen. The word translated
yea is Greek; Amen is Hebrew: for what is here spoken respects
both Jew and gentile.
Verse
8. I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God - Alpha is
the first, Omega, the last, letter in the Greek alphabet. Let his
enemies boast and rage ever so much in the intermediate time, yet
the Lord God is both the Alpha, or beginning, and the Omega, or
end, of all things. God is the beginning, as he is the Author and
Creator of all things, and as he proposes, declares, and promises
so great things: he is the end, as he brings all the things which are
here revealed to a complete and glorious conclusion. Again, the
beginning and end of a thing is in scripture styled the whole thing.
Therefore God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the
end; that is, one who is all things, and always the same.
Verse
9. I John - The instruction and preparation of the apostle for the
work are described from the ninth to the twentieth verse. ver. 9-
20, Your brother - In the common faith. And companion in the
affliction - For the same persecution which carried him to Patmos
drove them into Asia. This book peculiarly belongs to those who
are under the cross. It was given to a banished man; and men in
affliction understand and relish it most. Accordingly, it was little
esteemed by the Asiatic church, after the time of Constantine; but
highly valued by all the African churches, as it has been since by
all the persecuted children of God. In the affliction, and kingdom
and patience of Jesus - The kingdom stands in the midst. It is
chiefly under various afflictions that faith obtains its part in the
kingdom; and whosoever is a partaker of this kingdom is not
afraid to suffer for Jesus, 2 Tim. ii, 12. I was in the island Patmos
- In the reign of Domitian and of Nerva. And there he saw and
wrote all that follows. It was a place peculiarly proper for these
visions. He had over against him, at a small distance, Asia and the
seven churches; going on eastward, Jerusalem and the land of
Canaan; and beyond this, Antioch, yea, the whole continent of
Asia. To the west, he had Romans, Italy, and all Europe,
swimming, as it were, in the sea; to the south, Alexandria and the
Nile with its outlets, Egypt, and all Africa; and to the north, what
was afterwards called Constantinople, on the straits between
Europe and Asia. So he had all the three parts of the world which
were then known, with all Christendom, as it were, before his
eyes; a large theatre for all the various scenes which were to pass
before him: as if this island had been made principally for this
end, to serve as an observatory for the apostle. For preaching the
word of God he was banished thither, and for the testimony of
Jesus - For testifying that he is the Christ.
Verse
10. I was in the Spirit - That is, in a trance, a prophetic vision; so
overwhelmed with the power, and filled with the light, of the Holy
Spirit, as to be insensible of outward things, and wholly taken up
with spiritual and divine. What follows is one single, connected
vision, which St. John saw in one day; and therefore he that would
understand it should carry his thought straight on through the
whole, without interruption. The other prophetic books are
collections of distinct prophecies, given upon various occasions:
but here is one single treatise, whereof all the parts exactly depend
on each other. chap. iv, 1 is connected with ver. 19 and what is
delivered in the fourth chapter goes on directly to the twenty-
second. On the Lord's day - On this our Lord rose from the dead:
on this the ancients believed he will come to judgment. It was,
therefore, with the utmost propriety that St. John on this day both
saw and described his coming. And I heard behind me - St. John
had his face to the east: our Lord, likewise, in this appearance
looked eastward toward Asia, whither the apostle was to write. A
great voice, as of a trumpet - Which was peculiarly proper to
proclaim the coming of the great King, and his victory over all his
enemies.
Verse
11. Saying, What thou seest - And hearest. He both saw and
heard. This command extends to the whole book. All the books of
the New Testament were written by the will of God; but none
were so expressly commanded to be written. In a book - So all the
Revelation is but one book: nor did the letter to the angel of each
church belong to him or his church only; but the whole book was
sent to them all. To the churches - Hereafter named; and through
them to all churches, in all ages and nations. To Ephesus - Mark.
Thomas Smith, who in the year 1671 travelled through all these
cities, observes, that from Ephesus to Smyrna is forty-six English
miles; from Smyrna to Pergamos, sixty-four; from Pergamos to
Thyatira, forty-eight; from Thyatira to Sardis, thirty-three; from
Sardis to Philadelphia, twenty-seven; from Philadelphia to
Laodicea, about forty-two miles.
Verses
12, 13. And I turned to see the voice - That is, to see him whose
voice it was. And being turned, I saw - It seems, the vision
presented itself gradually. First he heard a voice; and, upon
looking behind, he saw the golden candlesticks, and then, in the
midst of the candlesticks, which were placed in a circle, he saw
one like a son of man - That is, in an human form. As a man
likewise our Lord doubtless appears in heaven: though not exactly
in this symbolical manner, wherein he presents himself as the
head of his church. He next observed that our Lord was clothed
with a garment down to the foot, and girt with a golden girdle -
Such the Jewish high priests wore. But both of them are here
marks of royal dignity likewise. Girt about at the breast - he that is
on a journey girds his loins. Girding the breast was an emblem of
solemn rest. It seems that the apostle having seen all this, looked
up to behold the face of our Lord: but was beat back by the
appearance of his flaming eyes, which occasioned his more
particularly observing his feet. Receiving strength to raise his eyes
again, he saw the stars in his right hand, and the sword coming out
of his mouth: but upon beholding the brightness of his glorious
countenance, which probably was much increased since the first
glance the apostle had of it, he "fell at his feet as dead." During
the time that St. John was discovering these several particulars,
our Lord seems to have been speaking. And doubtless even his
voice, at the very first, bespoke the God: though not so
insupportably as his glorious appearance.
Verse
14. His head and his hair - That is, the hair of his head, not his
whole head. Were white as white wool - Like the Ancient of
Days, represented in Daniel's vision, Dan. vii, 9. Wool is
commonly supposed to be an emblem of eternity. As snow -
Betokening his spotless purity. And his eyes as a flame of fire -
Piercing through all things; a token of his omniscience.
Verse
15. And his feet like fine brass - Denoting his stability and
strength. As if they burned in a furnace - As if having been melted
and refined, they were still red hot. And his voice - To the comfort
of his friends, and the terror of his enemies. As the voice of many
waters - Roaring aloud, and bearing down all before them.
Verse
16. And he had in his right hand seven stars - In token of his
favour and powerful protection. And out of his mouth went a
sharp two-edged sword - Signifying his justice and righteous
anger, continually pointed against his enemies as a sword; sharp,
to stab; two-edged, to hew. And his countenance was as the sun
shineth in his strength - Without any mist or cloud.
Verse
17. And I fell at his feet as dead - Human nature not being able to
sustain so glorious an appearance. Thus was he prepared (like
Daniel of old, whom he peculiarly resembles) for receiving so
weighty a prophecy. A great sinking of nature usually precedes a
large communication of heavenly things. St. John, before our
Lord suffered, was so intimate with him, as to lean on his breast,
to lie in his bosom. Yet now, near seventy years after, the aged
apostle is by one glance struck to the ground. What a glory must
this be! Ye sinners, be afraid cleanse your hands: purify your
hearts. Ye saints, be humble, prepare: rejoice. But rejoice unto
him with reverence: an increase of reverence towards this awful
majesty can be no prejudice to your faith. Let all petulancy, with
all vain curiosity, be far away, while you are thinking or reading
of these things. And he laid his right hand upon me - The same
wherein he held the seven stars. What did St. John then feel in
himself? Saying, Fear not - His look terrifies, his speech
strengthens. He does not call John by his name, (as the angels did
Zechariah and others,) but speaks as his well known master. What
follows is also spoken to strengthen and encourage him. I am -
When in his state of humiliation he spoke of his glory, he
frequently spoke in the third person, as Matt. xxvi, 64. But he now
speaks of his own glory, without any veil, in plain and direct
terms. The first and the last - That is, the one, eternal God, who is
from everlasting to everlasting, Isaiah xli, 4.
Verse
18. And he that liveth - Another peculiar title of God. And I have
the keys of death and of hades - That is, the invisible world. In the
intermediate state, the body abides in death, the soul in hades.
Christ hath the keys of, that is, the power over, both; killing or
quickening of the body, and disposing of the soul, as it pleaseth
him. He gave St. Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven; but not
the keys of death or of hades. How comes then his supposed
successor at Rome by the keys of purgatory? From the preceding
description, mostly, are taken the titles given to Christ in the
following letters, particularly the four first.
Verse
19. Write the things which thou hast seen - This day: which
accordingly are written, ver. 11-18. And which are - The
instructions relating to the present state of the seven churches.
These are written, ver. 20-chap. iii, 22. And which shall be
hereafter - To the end of the world; written, chap. iv, 1, &c.
Verse
20. Write first the mystery - The mysterious meaning of the seven
stars - St. John knew better than we do, in how many respects
these stars were a proper emblem of those angels: how nearly they
resembled each other, and how far they differed in magnitude,
brightness, aa& other circumstances. The seven stars are angels of
the seven churches - Mentioned in the eleventh verse. In each
church there was one pastor or ruling minister, to whom all the
rest were subordinate. This pastor, bishop, or overseer, had the
peculiar care over that flock: on him the prosperity of that
congregation in a great measure depended, and he was to answer
for all those souls at the judgment seat of Christ. And the seven
candlesticks are seven churches - How significant an emblem is
this! For a candlestick, though of gold, has no light of itself;
neither has any church, or child of man. But they receive from
Christ the light of truth, holiness, comfort, that it may shine to all
around them. As soon as this was spoken St. John wrote it down,
even all that is contained in this first chapter. Afterwards what
was contained in the second and third chapters was dictated to
him in like manner.
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
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Song of Solomon
Isaiah
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Daniel
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1 Timothy
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Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
