Revelation 1:13-20

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:19

19. The oldest manuscripts read, "Write therefore" (inasmuch as I, "the First and Last," have the keys of death, and vouchsafe to thee this vision for the comfort and warning of the Church). things which are—"the things which thou hast seen" are those narrated in this chapter (compare Revelation 1:11). "The things which are" imply the present state of things in the churches when John was writing, as represented in the second and third chapters. "The things which shall be hereafter," the things... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:20

20. in—Greek, "upon My right hand." the mystery . . . candlesticks—in apposition to, and explaining, "the things which thou hast seen," governed by "Write." Mystery signifies the hidden truth, veiled under this symbol, and now revealed; its correlative is revelation. Stars symbolize lordship (Numbers 24:17; compare Numbers 24:17- :, of faithful teachers; Revelation 8:10; Revelation 12:4; Judges 1:13). angels—not as ALFORD, from ORIGEN [Homily 13 on Luke, and Homily 20 on Numbers], the guardian... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:1-20

I. THE PREPARATION OF THE PROPHET CH. 1The first chapter contains a prologue to the book, which is similar to the one in John 1:1-18, the prologue to John’s Gospel (cf. 1 John 1:1-4). It also relates a vision that God gave John that prepared him for what follows. This presentation has the effect of showing that Jesus Christ is the culminating figure in human history (cf. Hebrews 1), and it prepares the reader for the revelation of His future acts that constitutes the bulk of this book. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:9-20

B. The commission of the prophet 1:9-20John next explained a vision of the glorified Christ that God had given him (cf. Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1). First, he related the circumstances of his first commission to write (Revelation 1:9-11). Second, he provided a detailed description of the source of that commission (Revelation 1:12-16). Third, he explained more about his commission and the one who gave it (Revelation 1:17-20). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:12-16

2. The source of the commission 1:12-16John turned to see the person who had given him his commission. These verses describe what he saw. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:13

The man looked like "a son of man." This expression refers to the divine Messiah in Daniel 7:13-14 (cf. Daniel 3:25; Daniel 10:5-6; Daniel 10:18; Acts 7:56). "Son of Man" was Jesus’ favorite title for Himself according to the writers of the Gospels (cf. Mark 13:26). The person John saw looked like a human man. His clothing was that of a priest: a long robe with a golden sash around it. [Note: Cf. Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 3:7:2.] Jesus Christ’s present office is that of our... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:14

His head, even His hair, was very white, as Daniel described the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:9 (i.e., God the Father). John sometimes first stated a general term and then followed it up with a more specific one, as here (i.e., head and hair). [Note: Beckwith, pp. 241-42, 438.] White hair often represents wisdom and the dignity of age in Scripture.". . . Revelation borrows components of complex OT figures, not the figures themselves." [Note: Thomas E. McComiskey, "Alteration of OT Imagery in the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:15

His feet looked like bronze glowing in the reflection of a fire. This is probably an allusion to His purity as He moves among the churches (cf. Luke 1:79; Acts 5:9; Romans 3:15; Romans 10:15; Hebrews 12:13). [Note: Thomas, Revelation 1-7, pp. 101-2.] Perhaps it also implies His purity as proved during His earthly walk that made Him a sympathetic high priest (Hebrews 4:15; cf. Hebrews 2:18). The figure also connotes strength and stability (cf. Daniel 2:33; Daniel 2:41).His voice sounded like a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:16

In His right hand, the symbol of official honor and sovereign control, He held seven stars protectively (cf. Revelation 9:1; Revelation 12:3; Job 38:7; John 10:28), the angels or messengers of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20; cf. Revelation 2:1; Revelation 3:1).A sharp double-edged sword (Gr. hromphaia), the type the Romans used to kill with (Revelation 2:12; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 19:15; Revelation 19:21), proceeded from His mouth. His word will judge His enemies... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:17

This revelation of Jesus Christ in His unveiled glory took all the strength out of John. He could not stand in the presence of such a One. Paul had a similar experience on the Damascus road (Acts 9:4; cf. Job 42:5-6; Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 8:17; Daniel 10:5-20). However the glorified Christ laid His comforting, powerful hand on John and encouraged him to stop fearing (cf. Jesus’ action following the Transfiguration, Matthew 17:7). He introduced Himself as the self-existent, eternal... read more

Group of Brands