Revelation 1

The keynote of the remainder of the Book is found in iv. 1, “I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” Much of it deals with the majesty of God as the world’s ruler (iv. 2, 9-11; vi. 16; xi. 16-18; xv. 3, 4; xvi. 7; xix. 1-6; xx. 11-13). This, too, had its message for Christians then and for Christians in all time. Earthly powers and rulers may persecute and oppress the Church, but God’s throne is above all. The angels and the horsemen are the mighty messengers of His judgements (vi.; viii.; ix. 1, 13; x. 1-7; xiv. 8-11, 15-19; xvi. 1-12; xviii. 1, 2), and of His final victory (xi. 15).

The conflict at various periods between world-powers and the kingdom of Christ is depicted in chapters xii.; xiii.; xvi. 13-16; xvii. 14; xiv. 11-20; xx. 7-9; and the defeat of the powers of evil is foreshadowed in the overthrow of the dragon (xii. 9-11; xx. 1-10) and the fall of Babylon (xiv. 8; xviii. 2, 10, 15-24).

In the closing chapters (xxi. and xxii.) we have the sublime descriptions of the new heaven and the new earth, and the heavenly Jerusalem. In figurative language the heavenly city is described as something transcendently beautiful—perfect in form (xxi. 15-17) and perfect in colour (xxi. 18-21).

And the Lamb that was slain is the centre of it all (v. 6). It is He who opens the seals of the book (vi. 1-12; viii. 8); the song of the redeemed is a song of praise to Him (v. 9, 10, 12, 13; vii. 10); and it is His presence that irradiates all with a light that never fades (xxi. 23, 25).

1. Revelation. Greek, “Apocalypse.” This revelation is here spoken of as being made first by God the Father to the Lord Jesus (see Mark xiii. 32; John xii. 49; Acts i. 7; Rev. v. 5), and then by Christ, through His commissioned angel, to the apostle John: who is commanded (see ver. 19) to communicate the same to the seven churches (4).

things which must shortly come to pass. “Things which must shortly” begin to be fulfilled; and in one sense will soon all “come to pass”: see 2 Pet. iii. 8.

His servant John. The epithet “the divine,” in the title of the Book, means “the theologian,” and is found in the Vatican MS., but the mass of manuscript evidence is against its authority.

2 who bars record (witness), etc. The words apply to the present book, not, as has sometimes been supposed, to the Gospel by St. John. The “word of God” is to be understood of the message or contents of the Book.

3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, etc. Referring primarily to the public reading and hearing in the Christian assemblies.

4 the seven churches. The number seven, according to the usage of Scripture, signifies completeness. There were other churches in Proconsular Asia (see note on Acts ii. 9), as that of the Colossians; but these are selected, “a representative, not exhaustive list” (Alford), addressed as symbolising all Christian churches of every nation and age. See the call to universal attention at the end of each Epistle: ii. 7, 11, 17, 29; iii. 6, 13, 22.

Him, which is, and which was, and which is to come. The Eternal—JAHVEH (or Jehovah): cp. Exod. iii. 14.

the seven Spirits. Perhaps meaning the variety and perfection of His operation.

5 first begotten of the dead. Or, “firstborn of the dead” (R.V.); as in Col. i. 18: where see note.

that loved. The best authorities have “loveth us.” So (R.V.).

washed us. Better, “loosed us.” Cp. 1 John i. 7; Heb. ix. 22, and notes.

6 kings and priests, etc. Rather, as in R.V., “[to be] a kingdom, [to be] priests”; i.e., a kingdom all whose subjects are priests: see Exod. xix. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 5.

to Him be glory, etc. Honours are here ascribed to the Saviour, and titles are given to Him in ver. 8, which it would be blasphemous to claim for any mere creature.

7. Behold, He cometh with (the) clouds. Cp. Dan. vii. 13; Matt. xxiv. 30; xxv. 31; xxvi. 64.

which pierced Him. See on Zech. xii. 10; cp. John xix. 37.

Even so, Amen. This means, “Yes, verily!” (see 2 Cor. i. 20). It expresses not only wish, but certainty.

8. Alpha and Omega. The first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet.

saith the Lord, etc. Cp. ver. 4 above.

Patmos. Now Patino, a small rocky island, about 10 miles long and 6 broad, in the Egean Sea, nearly opposite Miletus, on the western coast of Asia Minor. Offenders were banished thither, to work in the mines or marble quarries.

10 in the Spirit. That is, the spirit of devotion and of vision; “rapt in the Spirit” (Moffatt).

on the Lord’s day. Probably, the first day of the week, which was peculiarly honoured as the day of our Lord’s resurrection: see note on John xx. 26.

11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, etc. The R.V., with most authorities, omits these words.

the seven churches. “Christianity, represented by these seven Churches, is the true audience to which the author addresses himself” (Godet: Études bibliques, 2nd series, p. 349).

unto Ephesus, etc. Ephesus is named first, probably as being the nearest to Patmos; while

12 to see the voice. That is, to see from whom the voice came.

candlesticks. Rather, “lamp-stands” (see Exod. xxv. 31, 32, 37; Zech. iv. 2; Heb. ix. 2). The imagery is derived from the Jewish sanctuary. The “lamp-stands” are a fit emblem of the Church (30), as “holding forth the word of life” (Matt. v. 14; Phil. ii. 15).

13 in the midst, etc. Standing as a Priest in the holy place, and clothed in a priestly dress, but somewhat different from that of the ancient priesthood.

like unto the Son of man, etc. Rather, “like unto a son of man” (R.V.); that is, a being in human form (13); but possessing superhuman knowledge, dignity, and power (14-16). He unites the eternity of God and the mortality of man; while death and the world of spirits are subject to His control (17, 18).

down to the foot. Yet leaving the feet visible (15). a golden girdle. A symbol of princely power: see Isa. xlv. 1; Dan. x. 5.

14 white like wool, etc. Venerable and majestic: cp. Dan. vii. 9.

15 like unto fine brass, etc. “Like silver-bronze when it is white-hot in a furnace” (Weymouth). Perhaps suggesting end-voice.

as the sound of many waters. Like the roaring of the waves: cp. Ezek. xliii. 2.

16 a sharp two-edged sword. Expressing the force of His word, whether of grace or of judgement: cp. Heb. iv. 12.

17. I fell, etc. The apostle was overpowered at such a view of Christ in His heavenly glory: cp. Dan. x. 8-12.

I am the first, etc. R.V., more literally, “I am the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.”

18 [Amen]. Omitted in the best texts. The word may have been introduced for public reading.

hell. Rather, “Hades,” the state of the departed, whether righteous or wicked: see Psa. xvi. 10; Matt. xvi. 18, and notes. The “keys” express Christ’s dominion over death and the unseen world. Transpose, as R.V., “Of death and of Hades.”

19 the things which are. The state of things then existing in the churches as set forth in ch. ii., iii.

20 the mystery, etc. The meaning of these symbols, which can be understood only by revelation: see Matt. xiii. 11; 1 Cor. ii. 7, and notes.

the angels of the seven churches. Each one of these churches (see ii. 1) had its own “angel,” i.e., messenger; probably meaning a teacher or pastor, as one called and sent by the Lord: cp. Eccles. v. 6; Hag. i. 13; Mal. ii. 7; Rom. x. 15; Eph. iv. 11. Others interpret them as “a symbolical representation in which the active life of the church finds expression. To St. John every person, every thing, has its angel” (Millian).