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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

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:2

Who bare record of the word of God - Who bore witness to, or testified of ἐμαρτύρησεν emarturēsen the Word of God. He regarded himself merely as a “witness” of what he had seen, and claimed only to make a fair and faithful “record” of it. “This is the disciple which “testifieth” (ὁ μαρτυρῶν ho marturōn) of these things, and wrote these things,” John 21:24. “And he that saw it bare record” - μεμαρτύρηκε memarturēke John 19:35. Compare also the following places, where the apostle uses the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:3

Blessed is he that readeth - That is, it is to be regarded as a privilege attended with many blessings, to be permitted to mark the disclosures to be made in this book; the important revelations respecting future times. Prof. Stuart supposes that this refers to a public reading, and that the phrase “those who hear the words of this prophecy,” refers to those who listened to the public reader, and that both the reader and hearer should regard themselves as highly favored. It is, however, more in... read more

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