Revelation 1:1-9 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ ,.... Who, though the second Person in the Trinity, is mentioned last, because many things were to be said of him; and who is described in all his offices: in his prophetic office, the faithful witness ; as he is of his Father, of his mind and will, with respect to doctrine and worship; of his truth and faithfulness in his promises; and of his love, grace, and mercy, to his chosen; and of himself, of his true deity, proper sonship, and perfect equality with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:6

And hath made us kings and priests ,.... The Alexandrian copy, and Complutensian edition, read, "a kingdom, priests"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "a kingdom and priests"; and the Arabic version, "a kingdom of priesthood"; reference seems to be had to Exodus 19:6 , "and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests"; which the Jerusalem Targum renders, "ye shall be unto me", מלכין וכהנין , "kings and priests"; and so the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel paraphrases it thus, "and ye shall be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:7

Behold he cometh with clouds ,.... John carries on the account of Christ in his kingly office, one branch of which is to execute judgment; and describes him by a future coming of his, which cannot be understood of his coming to take vengeance on the Jews, at the time of Jerusalem's destruction, though that is sometimes expressed in such language, and with such circumstances, as here; see Matthew 24:30 ; because if this revelation was made to John, in the latter end of Domitian's reign, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega ,.... These are the words of Christ himself, appearing at once, and confirming what John had said of him, concerning his person, offices, and future coming: Alpha is the first letter, and Omega the last in the Greek alphabet, and signifies that Christ is the first and the last, as it is interpreted in Revelation 1:11 , and is a character often given to the divine Being in prophetic writings; see Isaiah 41:4 ; and is no small proof of the proper deity of Christ. Alpha... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:9

I, John, who also am your brother ,.... Here begins the narrative of the visions and prophecies of this book, the former verses containing a general preface to the whole; and this, and the two following verses, are the introduction to the first vision, which John saw; who describes himself by his name, "I John", the evangelist and apostle, a servant of Christ, and a beloved disciple of his; one that was well known to the seven churches to whom he writes, and who had no reason to doubt of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The word Αποκαλυψις , from which we have our word Apocalypse, signifies literally, a revelation, or discovery of what was concealed or hidden. It is here said that this revelation, or discovery of hidden things, was given by God to Jesus Christ; that Christ gave it to his angel; that this angel showed it to John; and that John sent it to the Churches. Thus we find it came from God to Christ, from Christ to the angel, from the angel to John, and from John to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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, etc.? Of this Word John did bear record. Or, does the writer mean the fidelity with which he noted and related the word - doctrines or prophecies, which he received at this time by revelation from God? This seems more consistent with the latter part of the verse. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 - Either in which they shall be all fulfilled, or begin to be fulfilled. See the note on Revelation 1:1 . These three verses contain the introduction; now the dedication to the seven Churches commences. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 Jerusalem." "The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah; to whom the word of the Lord came." "The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel, the priest." "The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri." "The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 - See the note on Colossians 1:18 . The prince of the kings - Ὁ αρχων , The chief or head, of all earthly potentates; who has them all under his dominion and control, and can dispose of them as he will. Unto him that loved us - This should begin a new verse, as it is the commencement of a new subject. Our salvation is attributed to... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:5

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