Introduction
This chapter, Revelation 1:1-3. A blessing is pronounced on him who
should read and understand the book, and special attention is directed
to it because the time was at hand when the predicted events would
occur.
II. Salutation to the seven churches of Asia, Revelation 1:4-8. To
those churches, it would seem from this, the book was originally
dedicated or addressed, and two of the chapters Revelation 1:9, and
the whole book was doubtless sent to them, and committed to their
keeping. In this salutation, the author wishes for them grace, mercy,
and peace from "him which is, and which was, and which is to come" -
the original fountain of all light and truth - referring to the
Father; "from the seven Spirits which are before the throne" -
referring to the Holy Spirit (see the note on Revelation 1:4), by whom
all grace is communicated to people; and from the Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the revelation is imparted. As it is his revelation, as it is
designed especially to glorify him, and as it predicts the final
triumph of his religion, the author appends to this reference to him a
special ascription of praise, Revelation 1:5-8. He refers to the great
work which he had done for his people in redeeming them, and making
them kings and priests to God; he assures those to whom he wrote that
he would come in glory to the world again, and that all eyes would see
him; and he represents the Redeemer himself as applying to his own
person a title - "Alpha and Omega," "the beginning and the ending" -
which indicates his exalted nature, and his supreme authority.
III. The commission of the writer, or his authority for thus
addressing the churches of Asia, Revelation 1:9-20. His authority to
do this is derived from the fact that the Lord Jesus had appeared to
him personally in his exile, and had directed him to reveal what he
saw in vision, and to send it to those churches. The statement of this
commission is made as impressive as it well could be:
(a) The writer was an exile - banished to a lonely island on account
of the common faith, Revelation 1:9.
(b) On the day of Christian rest - the day set apart to the memory of
the Saviour, and which he sacredly observed in his solitude as holy
time - when in the spirit of calm contemplation on the truths
appropriate to this day, he suddenly heard the voice of his Redeemer,
like a trumpet, commanding him to record what he saw, and to send it
to the seven churches of Asia, Revelation 1:10-11.
(c) Then follows Revelation 1:12-18a magnificent description of the
appearance of the Saviour, as he appeared in his glory. He is seen
standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks, clothed in a long
white robe, girded with a girdle of gold, his hair white, his eyes
like a flame of fire, his feet like brass, and his voice like the
roaring of mighty waters. In his hand are seven stars, and from his
mouth goes a sharp sword, and his countenance is like the sun in the
full splendor of its shining. John falls at his feet as if he were
dead; and the Saviour lays his right hand upon him, and animates him
with the assurance that though he had himself been dead he is now
alive, and would forever live, and that he has the keys of hell and
death.
(d) Then follows the commission itself, Revelation 1:19-20. He was to
make a record of the things which he saw. He was especially to unfold
the meaning of the seven stars which he saw in the right hand of the
Saviour, and of the seven golden candlesticks, as referring to the
seven churches of Asia Minor; and was then to describe the series of
visions which pertained to the future history and destiny of the
church at large.
கருத்துகள் இல்லை:
கருத்துரையிடுக