Revelation 1:13-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:15

Fine brass . This may stand as a translation of χαλκολίβανος , a word which occurs here and in Revelation 2:18 only, and the second half of which has never been satisfactorily explained. It may have been a local technical term in use among the metalworkers of Ephesus ( Acts 19:24 ; 2 Timothy 4:14 ). The Rhemish Version renders it "latten." In what follows, the Revised Version is to be preferred: "as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:16

He holds the Churches in his hand as a precious possession, which he sustains as a glory to himself. These Churches are as planets, which shine, not with their own light, but that of the sun; which shine most brightly in the night of "tribulation," which (like him who holds them in his right hand) are a guide to the wanderer, and are ever moving, yet ever at rest. Out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword . This metaphor runs through both Old and New Testaments. It is frequent in this book ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:17

I fell at his feet as dead ; literally, as one dead—as a dead man. St. Peter had fallen at Jesus' feet when he became conscious of the ineffable difference between sinlessness and sinfulness ( Luke 5:8 ). How much more, therefore, would consciousness of the glorified Christ overwhelm St. John! Long years of contemplation of the incarnate Son would not prevent that. In like manner, Joshua ( Joshua 5:14 ), Daniel ( Daniel 7:17 , Daniel 7:27 ), and St. Paul ( Acts 9:4 ) are affected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:17

The "Fear nots" of Christ. "Fear not." This is a characteristic word of the Bible, but especially of the Gospel, and chief of all, of our blessed Lord. For he not only, as in our text, spoke the word many times, but his whole message and mission to mankind was to banish the bondslave fear which had haunted them so long from their minds. "'Fear not' is a plant that grows very plentifully in God's garden. If you look through the flower beds of Scripture, you will continually find by the side... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:17-18

The Living One: an Easter Sunday sermon. "Fear not," etc. 1 . It is good to say words of good cheer. The cheerful word, the pleasant smile, the encouraging shake of the hand,—all these are good and helpful. As when with ringing cheers we send our troops off to battle. 2 . But it is better still to be able, along with such words of good cheer, to show reason for them, and the solid ground you have for bidding your brother be of good cheer, and that he has for being so. If we can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:17-18

Christ's ministry on earth, and his existence in heaven. "And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." These verses lead us to consider two subjects—the ministry of Christ on earth, and his existence in heaven. I. CHRIST 'S MINISTRY ON EARTH . "And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not." John's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:18

I am he that liveth . This should be joined with what precedes. "I am the First and the Last, and the Living One; and I became dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades." "Became" or "came to be" ( ἐγενόμην ), as in Revelation 1:9 and Revelation 1:10 , indicates an exceptional condition. The "Amen" has been improperly inserted after "forevermore" (see on "forever and ever," in Revelation 1:6 ) from liturgical usage. Most English... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:18

The extent of the Saviour's mediatorial dominion. £ As we pursue our studies of the Divine messages to the seven Churches, we shall find that our Lord addresses himself in some one distinctive aspect of his character and work to each Church, in accordance with the main burden of the letter which is to follow. But ere the letters to the separate Churches begin, our Lord makes an announcement respecting his mediatorial glory, which is of equal application to all the Churches, wherever... 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

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