Revelation 1:16. He had in his right hand seven stars:— The candlesticks, or churches, were round about him: he, in the midst of them, held in his right hand the stars; that is, the angels or bishops of the churches: stars are the hieroglyphics used to express both rulers and teachers. They may therefore, with great propriety, be used symbolically, for the bishops or pastors of the church. See on Jude, Revelation 1:13. read more
Revelation 1:17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet, &c.— "I have just been describing the appearance of Jesus Christ to me, with which I was favoured on the Lord's day, while I was engaged in such devout sentiments as were suitable to the time and occasion: and I now add, that when I saw him in this awful, this glorious and resplendent form, I was perfectly overwhelmed with the majesty of his appearance, so that I fell down at his feet dead; and he immediately condescended to raise me... read more
Revelation 1:18. Amen;— This seems to have been the exclamation of St. John, testifying his joyful assent to the nobletruths which precede; after which the discourse is continued in the person of Christ. We have often observed that the word Αδης, here rendered hell, signifies, "The unseen world." Our English, or rather Saxon word, hell, in its original signification, though it is now understood in a more limited sense, exactly answers to the Greek word, as it denotes a concealed, or unseen... read more
13. His glorified form as man could be recognized by John, who had seen it at the Transfiguration. in the midst—implying Christ's continual presence and ceaseless activity in the midst of His people on earth. In :-, when He appears in heaven, His insignia undergo a corresponding change yet even there the rainbow reminds us of His everlasting covenant with them. seven—omitted in two of the oldest manuscripts, but supported by one. Son of man—The form which John had seen enduring the agony of... read more
14.—Greek, "But," or "And." like wool—Greek, "like white wool." The color is the point of comparison; signifying purity and glory. (So in :-). Not age, for hoary hairs are the sign of decay. eyes . . . as . . . flame—all-searching and penetrating like fire: at the same time, also, implying consuming indignation against sin, especially at His coming "in flaming fire, taking vengeance" on all the ungodly, which is confirmed as the meaning here, by Revelation 19:11; Revelation 19:12. read more
15. fine brass—Greek, "chalcolibanus," derived by some from two Greek words, "brass" and "frankincense"; derived by BOCHART from Greek, "chalcos," "brass," and Hebrew, "libbeen," "to whiten"; hence, "brass," which in the furnace has reached a white heat. Thus it answers to "burnished (flashing, or glowing) brass," Ezekiel 1:7; Revelation 10:1, "His feet as pillars of fire." Translate, "Glowing brass, as if they had been made fiery (red-hot) in a furnace." The feet of the priests were bare in... read more
16. he had—Greek, "having." John takes up the description from time to time, irrespective of the construction, with separate strokes of the pencil [ALFORD]. in . . . right hand seven stars— (Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1; Revelation 3:1). He holds them as a star-studded "crown of glory," or "royal diadem," in His hand: so Isaiah 62:3. He is their Possessor and Upholder. out of . . . mouth went—Greek, "going forth"; not wielded in the hand. His WORD is omnipotent in executing His will in... read more
17. So fallen is man that God's manifestation of His glorious presence overwhelms him. laid his right hand upon me—So the same Lord Jesus did at the Transfiguration to the three prostrate disciples, of whom John was one, saying, Be not afraid. The "touch" of His hand, as of old, imparted strength. unto me—omitted in the oldest manuscripts. the first . . . the last— (Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12). From eternity, and enduring to eternity: "the First by creation, the Last by retribution:... read more
18. Translate as Greek, "And THE LIVING ONE": connected with last sentence, Revelation 1:17. and was—Greek, "and (yet) I became." alive for evermore—Greek, "living unto the ages of ages": not merely "I live," but I have life, and am the source of it to My people. "To Him belongs absolute being, as contrasted with the relative being of the creature; others may share, He only hath immortality: being in essence, not by mere participation, immortal" [THEODORET in TRENCH]. One oldest manuscript,... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 1:15
Revelation 1:15. Unto fine brass,— The original word χαλκολιβανον, signifies some kind of fine copper or brass; the inferior kind of auri chalcum, in use among the Romans. See Dan 10:6 and Parkhurst on the word. read more