Revelation 1:20

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:20

Jesus Christ then interpreted the meaning of some of the symbolic things John had seen. They were mysteries, revelations previously unclear until the Lord interpreted them for John. The seven stars represented the messengers of the seven churches. These may have been their angelic guardians. [Note: Swete, p. 22; Smith, pp. 57-58; Ladd, p. 35; Beale, p. 217.] Some interpreters have taken these angels as expressions of the prevailing spirit that characterized each church. [Note: E.g. Morris, p.... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 1:20

1:20 angels (i-25) The word has also the sense of 'messengers.' see Note e, ch. 2.20. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:1-20

The Vision of the Son of ManSt. John addresses ’the seven churches which are in Asia,’ telling them of a vision of Christ, who bade him, write in a book what he saw and send it to them.1-3. Introduction, describing the book as an ’apocalypse,’ the Gk. word which signifies ’unveiling’ or ’revelation.’ This does not mean here the unveiling of Christ at His Coming, as in 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:13, but the Revelation given by Christ. The book... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 1:20

(20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand.—Having bidden him write the meaning of this mystery, or secret, He gives to St. John an explanatory key: “The seven stars are angels of seven churches (or congregations): and the seven candlesticks” (omit the words “which thou sawest”) “are seven churches.” The angels have been understood by some to be guardian angels; but it is difficult to reconcile words of warning and reproof (as in Revelation 2:4-5), and of promise and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 1:1-20

Revelation 1:3 It is a great mistake to think that because you have read a masterpiece once or twice, or ten times, therefore you have done with it. Because it is a masterpiece, you ought to live with it, and make it part of your daily life. John Morley. References. I. 3. T. C. Fry, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xlvi. p. 45. I. 3-20. Expositor (6th Series), vol. ii. p. 347. I. 4. H. S. Holland, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xliii. p. 360. I. 4, 5. A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture ... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:1-20

CHAPTER I.THE PROLOGUE.Revelation 1:1-20The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show unto His servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and He sent and signified it through His angel unto His servant John; who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein: for the season is at hand... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 1:1-20

Analysis and Annotations I. THE PATMOS VISION OF THE GLORIFIED SON OF MAN CHAPTER 1 1. The introduction (Revelation 1:1-3 ) 2. Greeting and benediction (Revelation 1:4-5 ) 3. The praise (Revelation 1:6-7 ) 4. The testimony of the Almighty (Revelation 1:8 ) 5. John in Patmos (Revelation 1:9-11 ) 6. The vision of Christ in glory (Revelation 1:12-16 ) 7. The commission (Revelation 1:17-20 ) Revelation 1:1-3 . The book does not contain “revelations” but it is one great revelation, “The... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 1:20

1:20 {14} The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the {l} angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.(14) That is, the thing which was mystical signified by the particulars of the vision before going.(l) By angels he means the ministers of the Church. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:1-20

God gave this Revelation to Jesus Christ so that He might, as the Son of Man, communicate this to His servants. It is He who has been entrusted with the restitution of all things, and is therefore given this revelation to show to His servants the things soon to take place. Only as servants will we be shown these things. Although all believers are servants of Jesus Christ, yet we must be servants in practice if we are to properly understand Revelation. A servant above all is obedient. Thus,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:1-20

“ THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST SEEN ” In this book we return to the atmosphere of the Old Testament, at least after the third chapter, at which point the apocalyptic part begins with a narration of events synchronizing with The Day of the Lord. The authorship is ascribed to John, who wrote the Gospel and three epistles bearing his name, and who at this time, about A.B. 95, had been banished by the Roman Emperor, to the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea (Revelation 1:9 ). The date... read more

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