Revelation 1:9–20

Verse 10. On the Lord’s day. [3] Not on the Jewish sabbath, which is our Saturday, but on the Christian sabbath, our Sunday, called the Lord’s day. The Church, in the apostle’s time, changed the day of rest, on which the Jews were commanded to rest and sanctify that day, from Saturday to Sunday, from the last day of the week to the first. They judged this only to be an indispensable precept, that some day or some time should be appointed, in a special manner, for God’s service and worship, on which Christians should also abstain from servile works, that were not of necessity: as to the determination of such a day of the week, they judged that the Church had power to change the day. The late pretended reformers have all agreed with us in this change. And if they would have all that is expressed in this commandment, to be of an indispensable and unchangeable obligation, according to the letter of the law, they ought certainly to observe, to sanctify, and to abstain from all servile works on Saturdays, or on the Jewish sabbath.—A great voice, as of a trumpet. To signify the importance of things to be revealed. Witham.—Voice, and so forth This was most likely Saint John the Baptist, who calls himself the voice of one crying in the desert, and who in Malachy is called the Angel of the Lord, as he is also styled in the first verse of this chapter. Pastorini.

TR adds “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.”

TR adds “which are in Asia”

Verse 12. I saw seven golden candlesticks, which, by the last verse of this chapter, represented the seven Churches of Asia. We may suppose these candlesticks to have been shewn to Saint John, like what is described, Exod. 25:31. For in these visions of Saint John are frequent allusions to the former tabernacle, and to things relating to the service and worship of God, which Moses was ordered to make. Witham.

Verse 13. And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, that is walking among the candlesticks, like unto Christ, as he many times called himself the Son of man, and at other times told the Jews he was the Son, the only begotten Son of God. By this walking among the candlesticks is signified his providential care over all the particular Churches, which make up one Catholic Church.—With a long garment, [4] and a golden girdle, with a resemblance of the habit of the priests. Witham.—Jesus Christ is in the midst of his Church to enlighten it, to defend and sanctify it, the true model of pastors, who should reside in the midst of their flock, be clothed with sanctity and justice, and girt with the golden girdle, that is with singular purity, always ready for combat and labour, by their charity and zeal.

Verse 15. His feet like unto fine brass, to signify the purity and steadfastness of his steps and actions.—His voice as the sound of many waters, the sound of his preaching by himself, and by his apostles, has been heard throughout all nations of the world. Witham.

Verse 16. In his right hand seven stars, which, as it is said, (verse 20) were the Angels, that is the bishops of the seven churches, by this comparison is expressed their dignity.—And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. The word of God preached is compared to a two-edged sword. Ephes. 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12. It also signifies God’s severity in punishing sinners. Witham.

Verse 17. I am the first and the last. These are the words of the Son of man, or of him that represented our Saviour, Christ, to Saint John. To be the first and the last, is another expression agreeing only to him who is the true God, as it is divers times applied by the prophet Isaias. Witham.—From the 12th verse to this place we have a description of the Son of man, that is Christ. The different emblematical descriptions of his countenance, his dress, and so forth are similar to what are used by other prophets, and easily explained of his attributes, his eternity, vengeance, and so forth and so forth Omnes passim.

Verse 18. And alive, and was dead; always living as God, and as man was dead, died on the cross for the salvation of all men, rose again, triumphed over hell, death, and sin, and am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and of hell, power over all, all things being made subject to me, even as man, or as God and man. Witham.

or, Hell

Verse 20. Angels. These are the seven bishops of the churches. Christ’s having them in his right hand, shews the care he takes of his Church. Calmet.

or, messengers (here and wherever angels are mentioned)