Revelation 1:9 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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From the Living Lord to the Churches

Revelation 1:9-20

The tribulation and patience of Jesus are essential conditions of His Kingdom. We cannot exert the divine energies of the latter, unless we are willing to take our share of the former. There should be no Lord's Day without our definite claim to be in the Spirit; and if we are in the Spirit, every day is a day of the Lord. The seven churches are distinct in their several characteristics, but one in their blended light.

Here is variety, but unity. Jesus was in the midst on the Cross; He is in the midst where two or three are gathered; He is the Lamb “ in the midst of the throne” but He is, also in the midst of the collective life of the Church in her earthly ministry and warfare.

The manifestation of His glory may overwhelm our mortality, but the touch of His pierced hand encourages the soul. His favorite assurance is, Fear not. Here is life in its threefold aspect! In its original source, first and last. In its triumph over death- I became dead. In its eternal reign-I am alive for evermore. The things which John had seen are probably comprehended in this chapter; “the things which are” in Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22; and the things which are to come to pass in the remainder of this book.

Related Commentaries of Revelation 1:9

Revelation 1:9-20

9 I 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, 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 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 hairs 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: 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, I 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 seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.