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
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
John to the seven Churches - The apostle begins this much in the manner of the Jewish prophets. They often name themselves in the messages which they receive from God to deliver to the people; e.g. "The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem." "The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah; to whom the word of the Lord came." "The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel, the priest." "The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri." "The... read more
The faithful witness - The true teacher, whose testimony is infallible, and whose sayings must all come to pass. The first-begotten of the dead - See the note on Colossians 1:18 . The prince of the kings - Ὁ αρχων , The chief or head, of all earthly potentates; who has them all under his dominion and control, and can dispose of them as he will. Unto him that loved us - This should begin a new verse, as it is the commencement of a new subject. Our salvation is attributed to... read more
Kings and priests - See on 1 Peter 2:5 ; (note), 1 Peter 2:9 ; (note). But instead of βασιλεις και ἱερεις , kings and priests the most reputable MSS., versions, and fathers have βασιλειαν ἱερεις , a kingdom and priests; i.e. a kingdom of priests, or a royal priesthood. The regal and sacerdotal dignities are the two highest that can possibly exist among men; and these two are here mentioned to show the glorious prerogatives and state of the children of God. To him be glory - ... read more
Behold, he cometh with clouds - This relates to his coming to execute judgment on the enemies of his religion; perhaps to his coming to destroy Jerusalem, as he was to be particularly manifested to them that pierced him, which must mean the incredulous and rebellious Jews. And all kindreds of the earth - Πασαι αἱ φυλαι της γης· All the tribes of the land. By this the Jewish people are most evidently intended, and therefore the whole verse may be understood as predicting the... read more
I am Alpha and Omega - I am from eternity to eternity. This mode of speech is borrowed from the Jews, who express the whole compass of things by א aleph and ת tau , the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet; but as St. John was writing in Greek, he accommodates the whole to the Greek alphabet, of which Α alpha and Ω omega are the first and last letters. With the rabbins ת ועד מא meeleph vead tau , "from aleph to tau," expressed the whole of a matter, from the... read more
Your brother - A Christian, begotten of God, and incorporated in the heavenly family. Companion in tribulation - Suffering under the persecution in which you also suffer. In the kingdom - For we are a kingdom of priests unto God. And patience of Jesus - Meekly bearing all indignities, privations, and sufferings, for the sake and after the example of our Lord and Master. The isle that is called Patmos - This island is one of the Sporades, and lies in the Aegean Sea, between... read more
I was in the Spirit - That is, I received the Spirit of prophecy, and was under its influence when the first vision was exhibited. The Lord's day - The first day of the week, observed as the Christian Sabbath, because on it Jesus Christ rose from the dead; therefore it was called the Lord's day, and has taken place of the Jewish Sabbath throughout the Christian world. And heard behind me a great voice - This voice came unexpectedly and suddenly. He felt himself under the Divine... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The word Αποκαλυψις , from which we have our word Apocalypse, signifies literally, a revelation, or discovery of what was concealed or hidden. It is here said that this revelation, or discovery of hidden things, was given by God to Jesus Christ; that Christ gave it to his angel; that this angel showed it to John; and that John sent it to the Churches. Thus we find it came from God to Christ, from Christ to the angel, from the angel to John, and from John to... read more