Revelation 1:19-20 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The vision of the Son of man. The vision granted for the comfort of the suffering Church was made: 1 . To a "brother and partaker" in all "the tribulation and kingdom and patience," sharing at the very hour, "in the isle that is called Patmos," the consequences of faithfully proclaiming the Word of God and bearing his testimony to Jesus. 2 . He was in an exalted spiritual state: "in the Spirit"—under the control of the Spirit; sensitively alive to the teachings of the Spirit;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:19

Write the things . The true reading and most English Versions give, "write therefore the things;" i.e. because thou hast seen me and received thy commission from me. The omission of "therefore" comes from the Genevan Version. The threefold division of things probably refers to past, present, and future visions, not to the past, present, and future in history. But it is possible that "the things which thou sawest" refers to the visions, and "the things which are," etc., to the realities... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:19-20

Christ enjoining the record of his revelation to man and explaining its meaning. "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter," etc. These words suggest two general remarks concerning Christ. I. THAT HE REQUIRES MEN TO RECORD THE REVELATIONS HE MAKES TO THEM . He is the great Revealer of God to humanity, and his revelations are ever recurring and constant. And here we are taught that they are not only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The mystery . In construction this is the accusative after "write." A mystery is the opposite of a revealed truth; it is a sacred truth kept secret, the inner meaning of something which is perceived, but not generally understood. The angels of the seven Churches . The meaning of these "angels" has been very much disputed. The common explanation that they are the bishops of the Churches is attractive on account of its simplicity. But it has very grave difficulties, especially for those who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The seven Churches. It does not fall to our province to inquire into the reason why seven Churches only are here specified; nor do we enter into the symbolism of the number seven, nor burden ourselves with the inquiry whether these seven Churches are supposed to represent the whole of Christendom. These and other vexatoe questiones we leave for the student to ponder in his study. Hints for earnest pulpit teaching are alone our care. Historically, the seven Churches here specified did... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The seven Churches: their common characteristics. Seven times is heard the solemn charge, given at the close of each of the letters addressed to these Churches, "He that hath an ear," etc. And we would obey this word so far as we may, and, ere considering these letters one by one, would glance at their common characteristics. To the most superficial reader it is evident that in arrangement and plan they are all alike. The "angel of the Church" is addressed in each; then comes the title... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:19

Write the things which thou hast seen - An account of the vision which thou hast had, Revelation 1:10-18.And the things which are - Give an account of those things which thou hast seen as designed to represent the condition of the seven churches. He had seen not only the Saviour, but he had seen seven lampstands, and seven stars in the hand of the Saviour, and he is now commanded to record the meaning of these symbols as referring to things then actually existing in the seven churches. This... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:20

The mystery of the seven stars - On the word “mystery,” see notes on Ephesians 1:9. The word means, properly, “what is hidden, obscure, unknown” - until it is disclosed by one having the ability to do it, or by the course of events. When disclosed, it may be as clear, and as capable of comprehension, as any other truth. The meaning here, as applied to the seven stars, is, that they were symbols, and that their meaning as symbols, without a suitable explanation, would remain hidden or unknown.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

2:1-3:22 LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHESApart from occasional minor variations, the seven letters follow the same pattern. They begin with a greeting from the risen Christ (whose titles are mostly taken from the vision described in 1:12-16), followed in turn by a statement of praise and/or criticism concerning the current state of the church, a warning, an instruction and a promise. Although each church received the particular message for itself, it would also hear the messages for the other... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 1:19

Write. The texts add "therefore". hast seen = sawest, as Revelation 1:2 . the . . . are = what thoy are, i.e. what they signify. and = even. shall be = are about to happen. hereafter. Literally after (Greek. meta.) these things (Greek. tauta) . Hebrew idiom; compare Genesis 22:1 . First of ten occurrences in Rev. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:19-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:20

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 1:19

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