Revelation 1:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

We have now come to that glorious vision which the apostle had of the Lord Jesus Christ, when he came to deliver this revelation to him, where observe, I. The account given of the person who was favoured with this vision. He describes himself, 1. By his present state and condition. He was the brother and companion of these churches in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Christ. He was, at their time, as the rest of true Christians were, a persecuted man, banished, and perhaps... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:20

1:20 Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches and the seven lampstands are the seven Churches. This passage begins with a word which throughout the New Testament is used in a very special case. The King James Version speaks of the mystery of the seven stars and of the seven golden candlesticks. The Greek, musterion ( Greek #3466 ), does not mean a mystery in our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand ,.... The sense is, that John was to write the mystery of these stars, or the mystical sense of them: and the seven golden candlesticks ; the mystery, or mysterious sense of them also; for the words are in a continued connection with Revelation 1:19 , and have respect to the following interpretation of them, and to the epistles in the following chapter, which are mystical, and prophetical of the state of the churches in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:20

The mystery - That is, the allegorical explanation of the seven stars is the seven angels or ministers of the Churches; and the allegorical meaning of the seven golden lamps is the seven Churches themselves. In the seven stars there may be an allusion to the seals of different offices under potentates, each of which had its own particular seal, which verified all instruments from that office; and as these seals were frequently set in rings which were worn on the fingers, there may be an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 1:9-20

The introductory vision. This section is introductory, not merely to the epistles to the Churches, but to the whole book. In it the seer narrates how he received his commission; and with it should be compared Isaiah 6:1-13 ; Jeremiah 1:1-10 ; Ezekiel 1:1-3 ; Daniel 10:1-21 , especially Daniel 10:2 , Daniel 10:7 , where "I Daniel" is exactly parallel to "I John" here. The Revised Version is again much to be preferred to the Authorized Version. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The vision of the Lord. That St. John should have been favoured with this glorious vision is but in keeping with what was often granted to the prophets of the Lord—to Moses, at the burning bush; to Isaiah, in the temple; to Jeremiah, at his consecration to his prophetic office, and likewise to Ezekiel; and to the three chief apostles, SS . Peter, James, and John, at the Transfiguration; St. John, at Patmos; and St. Paul, at Damascus and when caught up to heaven. All these visions were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The vision of the Son of man. The vision granted for the comfort of the suffering Church was made: 1 . To a "brother and partaker" in all "the tribulation and kingdom and patience," sharing at the very hour, "in the isle that is called Patmos," the consequences of faithfully proclaiming the Word of God and bearing his testimony to Jesus. 2 . He was in an exalted spiritual state: "in the Spirit"—under the control of the Spirit; sensitively alive to the teachings of the Spirit;... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The mystery . In construction this is the accusative after "write." A mystery is the opposite of a revealed truth; it is a sacred truth kept secret, the inner meaning of something which is perceived, but not generally understood. The angels of the seven Churches . The meaning of these "angels" has been very much disputed. The common explanation that they are the bishops of the Churches is attractive on account of its simplicity. But it has very grave difficulties, especially for those who... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 1:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:19-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

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