Revelation 1:1-9 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-20

Revelation 3:1-22 THE INTRODUCTION . Most writers agree that the first three chapters are introductory. They may be thus subdivided: Revelation 1:1-3 , the superscription; Revelation 1:4-8 , the address and greeting; Revelation 1:9-20 , the introductory vision; Revelation 2:1-29 ; Revelation 3:1-22 , the epistles to the seven Churches of Asia. The earliest systematic commentator on the Apocalypse in the Greek Church, Andreas of Caesarea, in Cappadocia... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:2

Who bare record. "To bear witness" ( μαρτυρεῖν ) and "witness," or "testimony'' ( μαρτυρία ) , are characteristic of St. John's writings, and serve to connect together his Gospel, the First Epistle, and the Apocalypse. Such words should be carefully noted, and, so far as possible, uniformly translated, in order to mark their frequency in the English Version. The Authorized Version rings the changes on "bear witness," "bear record," "give record," and "testify," for μαρτυρεῖν ; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:3

He that readeth this book publicly in the church, and they that hear the book read, are equally blessed. There is grace promised to both minister and congregation who live up to the spirit of the Scriptures. St. John here suggests that a usage common in the Jewish Church ( Luke 4:16 ; Acts 15:21 ; 2 Corinthians 3:15 ) may be adopted in the Christian Church. Probably this verse is the earliest authority for the public reading of the New Testament Scripture. It is very precarious to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:3

The benediction on ministers and people who observe the sayings of this book. "Blessed is he that readeth," etc. By the readers are meant those who, in the congre gation, should read this book; and by the hearers, the congregations themselves; but neither readers nor hearers, ministers nor people, win this benediction unless, in addition to the reading and the hearing, they keep its saying. But, notwithstanding the solemn commendation of this book, it is known to all students of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4

John . Evidently some well-known John, otherwise some designation would be necessary. Would any but the apostle have thus written to the Churches of Asia? St. Paul had some need to insist upon his being an apostle; St. John lind none. To the seven Churches . From the earliest times it has been pointed out that the number seven here is not exact, but symbolical; it does exclude other Churches, but symbolizes all. Thus the Muratorian Fragment: "John in the Apocalypse, though he wrote to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-6

Salutation and song. The writer of the book again gives us his name: "John." It is extremely unlikely, as the name John was by no means uncommon, that any other John than the apostle would have given his name thus briefly and without a word of explanation. £ Those to whom the book was addressed are "the seven Churches which are in Asia." It does not lie within our province here to inquire whether these seven Churches are selected from others," to symbolize the whole Church of God." We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-7

The apostolic salutation. The servant John, by no other name known, in fulfilment of his duty as the one by whom the great revelation was "sent and signified," hurries to pronounce his salutation to "the seven Churches which are in Asia"—typical examples of the one Church in its sevenfold, universal experience. I. The salutation INVOKES BLESSINGS : 1 . Of the highest character: "grace and peace." The entire revelation is, for the Church, a revelation of "grace and peace." It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-8

The address and greeting. Of this section only Revelation 1:4-6 are, strictly speaking, the salutation; Revelation 1:7 , Revelation 1:8 constitute a kind of summary, or prelude— Revelation 1:7 being more closely connected with what precedes, Revelation 1:8 with what follows. The salutation proper ( Revelation 1:4-6 ) should be compared with the salutations in St. Paul's Epistles. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The faithful Witness . This was his function—"to bear witness unto the truth" ( John 18:37 ). The rainbow is called "the faithful witness" ( Psalms 89:37 ). The Firstborn of the dead . Christ was the first who was born to eternal life after the death which ends this life (see Lightfoot on Colossians 1:15 , Colossians 1:18 ; and comp. Psalms 89:27 ). "The ruler of this world" offered Jesus the glory of the kingdoms of the world, if he would worship him. He won a higher glory by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The work of works. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood!" Washing in blood is an incongruity. The word translated "washed" should be "loosened," and the general idea undoubtedly is, "Unto him that loosed us from our sins by his own life [or, 'by himself'] be glory." The words refer to the work of works. I. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL WORKS . Loosing a soul from sin. Sin is a chain of darkness, a chain that enslaves, not the mere... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

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