Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: Revelation
Chapters: 1 ·
2 ·
3 ·
4 ·
5 ·
6 ·
7 ·
8 ·
9 ·
10 ·
11 ·
12 ·
13 ·
14 ·
15 ·
16 ·
The
Book of the
Revelation of St.
John consists of two
principal divisions. 1. Relates to "the things which are," that
is, the then present state of the
Church, and contains the
epistle of
John to the
Seven churches, and his account of the
appearance of the
Lord Jesus, and his direction to the
Apostle
to write what he beheld, ch. 1:9-20. Also the addresses or
Epistles to
Seven churches of
Asia. These, doubtless, had
reference to the state of the respective churches, as they then
existed, but contain excellent precepts and exhortations,
commendations and reproofs, promises and threatenings, suitable
to instruct the
Christian Church at all times. 2. Contains a
Prophecy of "the things which shall be hereafter," and describes
the future state of the
Church, from the time when the
Apostle
beheld the visions here recorded. It is intended for our
spiritual improvement; to warn the careless sinner, point out
the way of
Salvation to the awakened inquirer, build up the weak
believer, comfort the afflicted and tempted
Christian, and, we
may especially add, to strengthen the
Martyr of
Christ, under
the cruel persecutions and sufferings inflicted
By Satan and his
followers.