JOHN, the author of this book was doubtless the same per son, that wrote the Gospel and the three Epistles, which bear his name. For his adherence to the Christian faith, he was banished by Domitian, the Roman emperor, about the year 56 to the isle of Patmos, where he was favoured by the visions and revelations, which are here recorded. This book is highly prophetic, and, in symbolical language, describes the future condition of the church in every age to the end of the world. It consists of three distinct parts, which according to chapter i. 19. relate to the things which John had seen, the things which then were, and the things which should be afterwards. The first part, which is contained in the first chapter, may be considered only as the introduction, in which John opens the scene of his Revelations, salutes the seven churches in Asia Minor, mentions at what place and on what day the Lord appeared to him in vision. These are the things which he had just seen. The second part, contained in the second and third chapters, consists of Epistles, addressed to the seven churches in Asia Minor, reproving and commending them according to their deeds, and admonishing them to take heed to themselves, lest their privileges be taken from them. These are the things which then were. The third part, which relates to the things which were to be afterwards, extends from the third chapter to the end of the Book. It begins with a sublime description of the Deity enthroned in glory, and surrounded by the hosts of heaven, easting their crowns at the foot of the throne, and ascribing glory, and honour, and power to Him, who sitteth thereon. It then proceeds to describe the future condition of the church in every age, and its connexion with the kingdoms and nations of this world. Writers on prophecy all agree in the opinion, that the rise John's salutation Chap. i. to the churches. and progress of Mohammedism and Popery, their character, decline and final destruction, the terrible revolutions which at various times have harrassed and wasted the human race, especially those, which, for more than twenty years, have convulsed and astonished the world, are all foretold in this wonderful book; and they are induced from it to believe that the present state of war and bloodshed will, with perhaps occasional abatements, still continue for 50 or 60 years, when the_religion of the Gospel will more generally prevail; when the Jews, the once favoured, but now long rejected people of God, will begin to embrace the Gospel, to be restored to their native land, and to the divine favour; and when a new era of peace, of truth, and of righteousness will commence on earth, and bless mankind. Those who wish to attend to this subject, and to understand the language of future events, are referred to Newton, Faber, and Smith, on the prophecies, who have all written well, and have doubtless explained many important prophecies; but they probably need the assistance of time, to enable them fully to understand and unfold all the mysteries of the Revelation. THE REVELATION OF SAINT JOHN THE those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. 4 seven churches which are in Asia; Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his John's revelation to Revelation. Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega,a the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 9 Í John who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos,b for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, What thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto a Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, Omega is the last; The words, which follow, explain them. b Patmos is a small barren island in the Ægean, now the Achipelago sea, where John was banished on account of the Word of God, and where, during his banishment, he wrote the Revelation. the seven churches. Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And, being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks ; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword ;c and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last; 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, Í am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the sevc A sharp, two-edged sword. This probably means the Word of God. See Ephes. vi. 17, Heb. iv. 12. What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of 1 Ephesus, 8 Smyrna, 12 Pergamos, 18 Thyatira, and what is commended, or found wanting in them. UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy d Angels here probably means ministers. to the churches. candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans,e which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. e; 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write These things saith the first and the last, which was dead and is alive; 9 I know thy works and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) and I know the blasphemy of them, which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days ;b be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; a Nicolaitans. See introduction to the Testament, page 10. b Ten days; days in prophecy generally, if not always, mean years. Pergamos, Thyatira, and Revelation. These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges :c 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.d 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him hat overcometh will I give to tat of the hidden manna,e and will give him a white stone,f c Sharp sword with two edges. See Rev. i. 16, note b. d Sword of my mouth. See note b, chap. i. e The hidden manna probably here means the consolations of religion in this life, and the enjoyments of God forever. f A white stone. This expression is tho ught to be an allusion to the cus Sardis threatened. and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,g which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he, which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will tom of the Greeks, who, in their courts of justice, when a man was acquitted, gave him a white stone, and when condemned, a black one. It here denotes, that he, who overcometh, will receive the full pardon of all his sins. g Jezebel. Some think that by this name is here intended the heresy of the Nicolaitans, for whose character see Introduction, page 10. |
