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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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ . This phrase occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in 1 Peter 1:7 , 1 Peter 1:13 . It means the revelation which Jesus Christ makes, not that which reveals him. John is the writer, Jesus Christ the Author, of the book. Revelation ( απόκαλυψις ) is a word reserved for the gospel; no Old Testament prophecy is called a revelation (contrast 1 Samuel 20:30 ). It means the unveiling of Divine mysteries ( Ephesians 3:3 ), and from this it easily... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1

Revelation. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him." The very word belongs to the Holy Scriptures, and is peculiar to them. None of the Greek writers use it in the sacred sense which we always associate with it. And this is not to be wondered at, for they had naught to tell with any authority on those profound questions with which it is the province of revelation to deal, and upon which the mind of man yearns for light. But when that light first flashed upon men, no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-3

The superscription. This consists of a brief description of the contents and origin of the book, and a commendation of it to the reader and hearer. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-3

Introduction: the purport of the book. In commencing a series of sketches which shall furnish in outline a homiletic exposition of such a book as this, the writer may well feel borne down with a sense of the responsibility of the task he has undertaken. And yet such responsibility, great as it is, is prevented from being overwhelming through the infinite joy and comfort he has himself derived from a repeated study of it—a study extending over some fifteen or twenty years, and now renewed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-3

The revelation. The interpretation of the Book of Revelation confessedly difficult, some portions in particular; hence many differing views. But the book designed for practical purposes; throughout it a rich vein of practical instruction. The homily seizes upon the practical truth—that truth which can be worked up into the practice of daily life. I. THE ORIGIN OF THE REVELATION — GOD . It is the revelation "which God gave." Fountain of all truth; stamps its high character;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-3

Aspects of human history. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," etc. Human history seems to be presented here as I. AS A REVELATION . "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (verse 1). ἀποκαλύψις ιησοῦ χριστοῦ . To "reveal" means to uncover, to disclose. A revelation is an unveiling of the hidden. Whatever has not appeared, whether things or persons, is hidden or concealed from view. There are universes hidden from us as yet, that in the future may appear. There is only One Being in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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