Revelation 1

Notes

Ver. 1. Christ, as Mediator, received this revelation from God, and he, by the ministry of angels, made it known to John. 4. Him who was, and is, and is to come, denotes the Father in his absolute eternity and unchangeableness. And when Christ is considered as God much the same character is given to him, ver. 8, 11, 17; ch. 22. 13; 21. 6.—The seven spirits denote the Holy Ghost in the diversity and perfect variety of his gifts, graces, and operations. 5. Christ, by his personal constitution, conduct, declarations, death, and ordinances, solemnly and infallibly bears faithful testimony of his Father's mind and will, and that he himself is the Son of God and promised Messiah. He first rose from the dead to immortal life, and rose by his own power, as the head of his true body, and as the cause, pattern, pledge, and first-fruits of their resurrection; and, as a reward of his atoning death, he is exalted to his Father's right hand, with all fulness of authority and dominion, and to be head of all principalities and powers on earth as well as in heaven, for the preservation, conversion, and government of his people, and for the restraining and subduing all his and their enemies. 6. Saints are kings who, under Christ, have power to prevail with God in prayer, are heirs of the kingdom of glory, are enabled to govern their own spirits, and to overcome sin, Satan, and the world; and are priests sanctified to God's service, who have near access to him, and offer up themselves and their good works as spiritual sacrifices of gratitude, acceptable to him by Jesus Christ. 9. I am your brother in the faith and in the family of God—a fellow-sufferer for the sake of Christ, his gospel, and cause, and fellow-heir of his kingdom of grace and glory; and, through his gracious assistance, am patiently enduring my sufferings, and quietly waiting for my glorious crown. 10. On the first day of the week, which is divinely appointed to commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, I was in a spiritual frame, employed in religious meditations and exercises, and the Spirit of prophecy came upon me. 12-16. The seven golden candlesticks represent the Christian churches, particularly those of Proconsular Asia, in that light of doctrine, holiness and comfort, which they receive from Christ, and hold forth to others. The Son of man walking in the midst of them, is Jesus, the true Messiah, taking pleasure to observe, preserve, govern, and furnish them with everything needful. His garment down to the foot represents his mediatorial office, and his righteousness as our Surety, which covers him and all his people. His white hairs denote his divine majesty and glory, and that he is from everlasting, and perfectly holy. His eyes like a flame of fire denote his penetrating wisdom and knowledge, and his influence to discover the secrets of all hearts, and to purify and refine, or to bless, nurture, and finally save them. His feet like burning brass, represent the strength, steadiness, purity, and beauty of all his personal conduct or providential dispensations, to the joy of his saints and terror of his enemies. His voice as the sound of many waters denotes his word and providence, powerful to convert and comfort his people, but dreadful, astonishing, and destructive to the wicked. The stars in his right hand denote gospel ministers, who, by their example and instruction, communicate light to the world, as framed, furnished, supported, directed, and governed by him. The sharp two-edged sword which goeth out of his mouth, represents the justice of his government; and his word, law, and gospel rendered efficacious for cutting sinners to the heart, cutting off corruptions from believers, and for cutting down his implacable enemies. His countenance like the shining sun denotes the manifestations of his infinitely pure and glorious person, character, fulness, and work, for the enlightening, reviving, comforting, and fructifying of his church in heaven and earth. 18. His having the keys of death and hell denote his power to raise the dead, and to render men happy and for ever blessed in the world to come.

Ver. 1. The revelation. The apocalypse, or unveiling of his glory, which God (the Father) gave him.—Note, 'The Word was God,' Jn. 1.1; but 'the Word became flesh'—became man; and being thus constituted mediator 'in two distinct natures and one person,' had this 'apocalypse' or manifestation 'given' to him by the Father.—Things which must shortly come to pass. Not in absolute completion, but in commencement and progress. C.

Ver. 3. He that readeth. There can be little doubt that reference is here specially made to the public reading of this among the other Scriptures in the church. Observe, it is one reader who is mentioned, while the hearers are many. The book therefore was designed for public reading—not to be shut up in the hands of clergy.—The time is at hand. Time is spoken of relatively. Its being 'at hand, therefore, conveys to us no definite idea of the exact period when the prophecies are to be fulfilled. P.

Ver. 4. Seven churches, as specimens of all the others—instructive and emblematic lessons to all churches till the end of the world.—Which is, was, and is to come. A translation of the name Jehovah, which includes in itself all time—past, present, and to come.—The seven spirits. The seven divine perfections of the Spirit poured out upon Jesus Christ. See Is. 11. 2. C.

Ver. 5. First-begotten. Rather, 'first-born,' ruler. C.

Ver. 6. Kings and priests. Literally, 'a kingdom—sacrificers.'—Unto God and his Father. 'To God even his Father;' or, 'his God and Father.' C.

Ver. 8. I am Alpha and Omega. Alpha is the first, and Omega the last letter of the Greek alphabet. The expression is equivalent to, but more emphatic than the word Eternal. It describes the self-existent and immutable Creator and Preserver of all things. P.——The Lord. That the titles 'Lord' and, as the best MSS. add, 'God' might be interpreted of 'The Father,' if, by parallel passages, not applied to 'The Son,' is certain; but from comp. ver. 8 with ver. 11, 17, 18, and with ch. 2. 8; 21. 6; 22. 17, both 'Lord' and 'God' will be found unquestionably descriptive of the divine attributes of Christ. C.

Ver. 9. Patmos was a rocky island in the Ægean Sea, about 15 miles in circumference, and was used under the Roman empire as a place of banishment for criminals. On a hill in the southern part of the island is a large convent bearing the name of St. John; and near it, in the hill-side, is a cave where, says tradition, the apostle saw the glorious visions described in this book. P.

Ver. 12. The voice was a well-known title for a prophet of the Lord (see Is. 40. 3; Mat. 3. 3)—a common figure of speech, in which the effect is put for the cause. C.

Ver. 16. It is worthy of remark that in this portrait of our Lord there is not one single feature capable of being painted. Gold, snow, flame, glowing brass, stars, the sun in his strength, are, some of them in a degree, and others altogether, beyond the power of imitation. The portrait is sublime beyond comparison—an idolatrous image impossible. See Eze. 8. 2; Da. 7. 9; 10. 6. C.

Ver. 19. 'Write, therefore,' &c., is the true rendering of the original. Why 'therefore' was omitted by the translators does not appear; but, most probably, from an early error of the press. C.

Ver. 20. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches. By comparing these words with the parallel phrase, 'This is my body,' Mat. 26. 26, the real nature of the Spiritual meaning of the Sacrament will be evident. The 'seven candlesticks' are but emblems of 'the seven churches.' C.

Reflections.—Whatever revelation Christ makes from his Father is infinitely worthy of our most serious and humble study and religious regard. And however dark some circumstances of it may appear, an humble inquiry into it will profit our souls; and all of it shall be accomplished in due season. Rich are the blessings of grace which proceed from Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all the churches and saints; and glorious and honoured are they who, by Jesus' love, are washed from the guilt, dominion, and filth of their sins in his blood, and made kings and priests to him and his Father. But terrible is the condition, and dreadful the sentence and fate, of Jesus' enemies, his people's persecutors, and of all earthly-minded men, when he appears in his majesty and glory to the last judgment! With great terror they shall then behold him, and with anguish bewail their neglect of and rebellion against him. In this world ministers and saints must expect to be fellow-sharers in trouble and persecution for their adherence to Christ; but spiritual fellowship with him, particularly on the Lord's day, can sufficiently sweeten them, however bitter. If he, the living Redeemer, the author and finisher of all the dispensations of providence and grace, manifests himself as an almighty and all-seeing Lord, walking in his churches to take care of the faithful—as enlightening and assisting ministers, and as fighting against his and his people's enemies, as the risen Saviour, and living and exalted Ruler of the unseen world—it may sufficiently encourage and enable us to bear all with calm submission and sweet composure.