Revelation 1:9 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Prologue gives an account of the vision of the Son of Man, and the manner in which the messages to the seven churches came to the seer.

Revelation 1:9. John your brother: the term brother in the NT is used to signify fellow-Christian, the members of the same Christian community (cf. the phrase our brother Paul, 2 Peter 3:15; see Harnack, Mission and Expansion of Christianity 2, i. 405 f.). tribulation refers to the persecutions. The order of the words is significant, kingdom coming after tribulation and before patience, and reminds us of the words, Through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom (Acts 14:22). patience: i.e. patient endurance. We must not only enter the kingdom through the gate of tribulation, but we must maintain our place in the kingdom by patient endurance. Patmos: a small island off the coast of Asia Minor, about 15 miles from Ephesus. The wild scenery of Patmos and the neighbouring volcanic islands doubtless suggested some of the imagery in the book. for the word. and testimony: the obvious meaning is that John had been exiled to Patmos for preaching the Gospel.

Revelation 1:10. in the spirit: i.e. in a prophetic trance. on the Lord's day: i.e. the day consecrated to the Lord, the first day of the week, the day of the Resurrection (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). as a trumpet: cf. Ezekiel 3:12.

Revelation 1:12. seven golden candlesticks: or lampstands; the imagery is suggested by Exodus 25:31; Zechariah 4:2.

Revelation 1:13. like a son of man: Daniel 7:13 *, but the phrase is misapplied here.

Revelation 1:14. his head, etc.: from the description of the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:9.

Revelation 1:15. his eyes. his feet: from the description of the angel in Daniel 10:6. many waters: cf. Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 14:2.

Revelation 1:16. a two-edged sword: cf. Revelation 2:12; Revelation 2:16, Revelation 19:15. Compare also Hebrews 4:12. The whole description is thus made up of classical phrases mostly borrowed from the OT.

Revelation 1:17. the first, etc.: the same phrase is applied to God in Revelation 1:8 and Revelation 21:6. death and Hades: the two words stand for the same thing. Hades is the abode of the dead. For the combination, cf. Revelation 6:8, Revelation 20:13; to have the keys (Revelation 3:7 *) means to possess authority over.

Revelation 1:20. mystery: the inner meaning of a symbolical vision (2 Thessalonians 2:17 *). angels of the seven churches: The meaning of this expression has been much disputed. It has often been interpreted as referring to the presbyters or bishops of the churches. But this explanation is contrary to the invariable usage of the word in the book. The word occurs some sixty times, and always in the sense of a superhuman being employed in the service of God or Satan. The phrase can, therefore, only mean the guardian angels of the churches. The angels are represented as personifying the spirit and genius of the different churches, as in Dan. different angels personify the characteristics of different nations. [For connexion with the idea of the Fravashi, see note on Matthew 18:10. A. S. P.]

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.