After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Here begins Revelation proper; first, Revelation 4:1-11 and Revelation 5:1-14 set forth the heavenly scenery of the succeeding visions, and God on His throne, the covenant God of His Church, revealing them to His apostle through Christ. The first great portion comprises the opening of the seals and the sounding of the trumpets, (Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 6:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17; Revelation 8:1-13; Revelation 9:1-21; Revelation 10:1-11; Revelation 11:1-19.) As the communication respecting the seven churches opened with a suitable vision of the Lord Jesus as Head of the Church, so this part opens with a vision suitable to the matter to be revealed. The scene passes from earth to heaven.
After this - `After these things,' marking the next vision in the succession: the transition from "the things which are" (Revelation 1:19) in John's time, the existing state of the seven churches (type of the church in general), to "the things which shall be hereafter," in relation to the time when John wrote.
I looked, х eidon (G1492)] - 'I saw' in vision: not, I directed my look that way.
Was - not in the Greek. Opened - `standing open:' not that John saw it being opened. Compare Ezekiel 1:1; Matthew 3:16; Acts 7:56; Acts 10:11. But, in those visions, the heavens opened, disclosing visions to those below. Here heaven, the temple of God, remains closed to those on earth; but John is transported in vision through an open door up into heaven whence he can see things passing on earth or in heaven, according as the several visions require.
The first voice which I heard - the voice which I heard at first (Revelation 1:10).
Was as it were. Omit was.
Come up hither - through the 'open door.'
Be - come to pass.
Hereafter - `after these things:' after the present time (Revelation 1:19).