Revelation 1:4-5 KJV

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 1:4

John . Evidently some well-known John, otherwise some designation would be necessary. Would any but the apostle have thus written to the Churches of Asia? St. Paul had some need to insist upon his being an apostle; St. John lind none. To the seven Churches . From the earliest times it has been pointed out that the number seven here is not exact, but symbolical; it does exclude other Churches, but symbolizes all. Thus the Muratorian Fragment: "John in the Apocalypse, though he wrote to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-6

Salutation and song. The writer of the book again gives us his name: "John." It is extremely unlikely, as the name John was by no means uncommon, that any other John than the apostle would have given his name thus briefly and without a word of explanation. £ Those to whom the book was addressed are "the seven Churches which are in Asia." It does not lie within our province here to inquire whether these seven Churches are selected from others," to symbolize the whole Church of God." We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-7

The apostolic salutation. The servant John, by no other name known, in fulfilment of his duty as the one by whom the great revelation was "sent and signified," hurries to pronounce his salutation to "the seven Churches which are in Asia"—typical examples of the one Church in its sevenfold, universal experience. I. The salutation INVOKES BLESSINGS : 1 . Of the highest character: "grace and peace." The entire revelation is, for the Church, a revelation of "grace and peace." It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-8

The address and greeting. Of this section only Revelation 1:4-6 are, strictly speaking, the salutation; Revelation 1:7 , Revelation 1:8 constitute a kind of summary, or prelude— Revelation 1:7 being more closely connected with what precedes, Revelation 1:8 with what follows. The salutation proper ( Revelation 1:4-6 ) should be compared with the salutations in St. Paul's Epistles. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The faithful Witness . This was his function—"to bear witness unto the truth" ( John 18:37 ). The rainbow is called "the faithful witness" ( Psalms 89:37 ). The Firstborn of the dead . Christ was the first who was born to eternal life after the death which ends this life (see Lightfoot on Colossians 1:15 , Colossians 1:18 ; and comp. Psalms 89:27 ). "The ruler of this world" offered Jesus the glory of the kingdoms of the world, if he would worship him. He won a higher glory by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The work of works. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood!" Washing in blood is an incongruity. The word translated "washed" should be "loosened," and the general idea undoubtedly is, "Unto him that loosed us from our sins by his own life [or, 'by himself'] be glory." The words refer to the work of works. I. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL WORKS . Loosing a soul from sin. Sin is a chain of darkness, a chain that enslaves, not the mere... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5-6

Doxology; or, the upspringing of praise. "Unto him that loved us," etc. It has been remarked that the writer of the Revelation had hardly set himself down to his work ere he felt that he must lift up his heart in joyful doxology. The very mention of the name of the Lord Jesus, by whose Spirit he was writing, starts him off in this heart song of praise. He could not go on until he had given utterance to the irrepressible love for his Lord with which his soul was filled to overflowing. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5-7

Christ and the soul "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory," etc. These words suggest a few thoughts concerning Christ and the soul. I. CHRIST IS THE LOVER OF THE SOUL . "Unto him that loved us" ( Revelation 1:5 ). Other beings may love the human soul—angels may, saints may—but no one has loved it as Christ has. 1 . He loved it with an absolutely... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:4

John to the seven churches which are in Asia - The word “Asia” is used in quite different senses by different writers. It is used:(1)As referring to the whole eastern continent now known by that name;(2)Either Asia or Asia Minor;(3)That part of Asia which Attalus III, king of Pergamos, gave to the Romans, namely, Mysia, Phrygia, Lycaonia, Lydia, Carla, Pisidia, and the southern coast - that is, all in the western, southwestern, and southern parts of Asia Minor; and,(4)In the New Testament,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:4-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:5-7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:4

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