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
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
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
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
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
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness - See the notes on Revelation 1:2. He is faithful in the sense that he is one on whose testimony there may be entire reliance, or who is entirely worthy to be believed. From him “grace and peace” are appropriately sought, as one who hears such a testimony, and as the first-begotten from the dead, and as reigning over the kings of the earth. Thus, grace and peace are invoked from the infinite God in all his relations and operations: as the... read more
Revelation 1:4-6. John The dedication of this book is contained in the 4th, 5th, and 6th verses; but the whole Revelation is a kind of letter. To the seven churches which are in Asia That part of the Lesser Asia, which was then a Roman province. There had been several other churches planted here; but it seems these were now the most eminent. And it was among these that St. John had laboured most during his abode in Asia. In these cities there were many Jews. Such of them as believed, in... read more
1:1-20 JOHN’S INTRODUCTIONGreetings to the seven churches (1:1-8)Jesus Christ received this revelation from God and passed it on to John by a series of visions that an angel interpreted for him. John, in turn, was to pass this revelation on to God’s persecuted people in Asia Minor, for it concerned events about to take place that would affect them. All who took notice of the book would be blessed, both the person who read it to the church and those who listened as he read it (1:1-3).The writer... read more
faithful. App-150 . Compare Isaiah 55:4 . Witness. Greek. martus. See Revelation 3:14 and p. 1511. First Begotten. See Romans 8:29 . Hebrews 1:6 . Compare Psalms 2:7 . Acts 13:33 . 1 Corinthians 15:20 . Colossians 1:18 . of the dead. App-139 . The texts omit ek. Prince = Ruler. See John 12:31 . kings, &c. See Revelation 6:16 and Psalms 89:27 , Psalms 89:37 . earth. App-129 . loved. The texts read "loveth". App-135 . washed. The texts read "loosed". App-95 .:1; note 2, p 138. ... read more
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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