neation des gantzen buchs der Offenbarung Joannis, Brunsuigæ, 1670; Peganii Eigentliche Erklärung über die Gesichte der Offenbarung Joannis, Amsterdam, 1670—a translation of this exists in English, under the title of An Explication of the Visions of the Revelations; Heunischii Synopsis Chronotaxis Apocalyptica Hoffmanni, Jenæ, 1678; Hervei Apocalypsis Joannis Apostoli explanatio historica, Lugduni, 1684; Mulerii Vaticinia Pathmi elucidata, Harderuici, 1684; Heideggeri In divi Joannis Theologi Apocalypseos prophetiam de Babylone magna diatribe, Lugd. Bat. 1687; Marckius, Trajecti ad Rhenum, 1689; Brunsmanni Phosporus Apocalypticus, Hafniæ, 1696; Gebhardi Isagoge ad Apocalypsin divi Joannis Apostoli, Gryphiswaldiæ, 1696; Petersen, Anleitung zu grundlicher verständniss der heiligen Offenbarung Jesu Christi, Frankfurt, 1696; Durer, Geheimnis des reiches Christi, in gründlicher Erklärung der Offenbarung Joannis, Hanoveriæ, 1701; Biermanni Clavis Apocalyptico-prophetica, hoc est, septem Ecclesiarum ac totidem Sigillorum, Tubicinorum et Phialarum Apocalypticarum analytica explicatio, Trajecti ad Rhenum, 1702; Kromayer, Kirchenchronica des Neuen Testaments; oder die Offenbarung S. Joannis auf eine neue lehrart, nach welcher die ordnung der capitel behalten wird, erklärt, Leipsiæ, 1708; Reinbeckii Kurtze eröterung des hauptinnhalts der heiligen Offenbarung S. Joannis, Berlin, 1722; Kerckherdere, Novum Systema Apocalypseos, Lovanii, 1711; Mauduit, Analyse de l'Apocalypse contenant une nouvelle Explication, simple et litterale de ce Livre, Parisiis, 1714; Vitringa 'Avákpiais Apocalypseos Joannis Apostoli, qua in veras interpretande ejus Hypotheses diligenter inquiritur et ex iisdem Interpretatio facta certis Historiarum Monimentis confirmatur atque illustratur, Franecker, 1705; Whiston, An Essay on the Revelation of Saint John, Cambridge, 1706; Driessenii Meditationes in sacram Apocalypsin, Traj. ad Rhenum, 1717; Wells, An Help for the more easy and clear understanding of the Scriptures, being the Revelation of St. John the Divine, Oxford, 1718; Andala, Exegesis illustrium locorum S. Scriptura; accedit Clavis Apocalyptica, Franeckeræ, 1720; Abbadie, Ouverture des Sept Sceaux par le Fils de Dieu, ou le Triomphe de la Providence et de la Religion, Amsterdam, 1721; Schevermann, Offenbarung Joannis schriftmäsig erklärt, Lipstadt, 1722; Newton (Sir Isaac), Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John, London, 1732; Dimpel, Einleitung in die Offenbarung Joannis, Leipzig, 1730; Lang, Apocalyptisches Licht und Recht, etc., Halle, 1730; Daubuz, A Perpetual Commentary on the Revelation of Saint John, with a Preliminary Discourse concerning the Principles upon which the said Book is to be understood, London, 1730; Loesecken, Erklärung der Offenbarung Joannis, Halle, 1731; Bengel, Erklärte Offenbarung Joannis, Stuttgardt, 1740; Honert, Dissertationes Apocalyptica, Lugd. Bat., 1736; Lowman, Paraphrase and Notes on the Revelations of St. John, London, 1736; Reinhardi Chronotaxis nova Apocalypseos Joannea; novi Commentarii in Apocalypsin prophetico-historicodogmatici, Vinariæ, 1741; Cremeri Fata Ecclesiæ Christianæ....sive Comment. in Apocalypsin, Zutphaniæ, 1757; Harenberg, Erklärung der Offenbarung Joannis, Brunsuigæ, 1759; Fehr, Anleitung zum rechten verstand und gebrauch der Offenbarung Joannis, Altenburg, 1761; Taylor, An Essay on the Revelation of the Apostle John, in which a new Explication is given of some passages of that Book, and applied to the Circumstances of the present Times, London, 1763; Beck, Beleuchtung der Offenbarung Joannis, Frankfurt, 1768; Herder, Mapavába; das Buch von der Zukunft des Herrn des Neue Test. Siegel, Riga, 1779, translated, London, 1821; Viewig, Neue Aufklärung der Apokalypse, Giessen, 1785; Munter, Die Offenbarung Johannis metrische übersetzt, Kopenhagen, 1784; Semleri Apocalypsis Jesu Christi auctoris et Joannis Scriptoris ejus, aliquot in locis castigata et nova illius interpret. Lat., Neustadt, 1785; Roos, Prüfung der gegenwärtige Zeit, nach der Offenbarung Johannis, Tubingen, 1786; Hernnschneider, Tentamen Apocalypseos, etc., Argent., 1786; Johannsen, Die Offenbarung Johannis oder der Sieg des Christenthums über Judenthums, und Heidenthums, Flensberg, 1788; Cooke, The Revelations translated and explained throughout, with Keys, Illustrations, Notes, and Comment, Yarmouth, 1789; Eichhorn, Commentarius in Apocalypsin Joannis, Gottingen, 1790; Johnson, A Commentary on the Revelations, Edinburgh, 1794; Hagen, Der Sieg des Christenthums, über Judenthums und Heidenthums, oder die Offenbarung Johannis neu übersetzt und eläutert, Erlangen, 1796; Giebert, Réflexions sur l'Apocalypse, Guernsey, 1796; Hallenberg, Historiska Anmärkningar ofver Uppenbarelse Boken, Stockholm, 1800; Jung, Die Siegsgeschichte der Christliche Religion in einer gemeinutzliche Erklärung der Offenbarung Johannis, Nurnberg, 1799; Beck, Erforschung der Bildersprache in der Offenbarung Johannis, Pforzh, 1800; Bowdler (Mrs.), Practical Observations on the Revelation of St. John, Bath, 1800; Whittaker, A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John, with Historical Testimony of its Accomplishment, London, 1802; Brumbey, Ueber die Offenbarung Johannis, Berlin, 1804; Woodhouse, The Apocalypse, or Revelation of St. John, translated, with Notes critical and explanatory, London, 1806; Heinrichs, Apocalypsis Græce perpetua Annotatione illustrata, Gottinga, 1821; Laurmann, Prælectio de imaginum sive figurarum poeticarum in Apocalypsi Joannea indole ac pretio, Gröning., 1822; Overton, The Chronology of the Apocalypse investigated and defended, Lond., 1822; Park, A concise Exposition of the Apocalypse, so far as .... the Prophecies are fulfilled, Lond., 1823; Tilloch, Dissertations introductory to the Study and Right Understanding of the Language, Structure, and Contents of the Apocalypse, Lond., 1823; Smyth, An Explanation of the Apocalypse or Revelation of St. John, Washington, U.S., 1825; Murray, An Introduction to the Apocalypse, being an Attempt to render that portion of God's Word interesting to the generality of Readers, Dublin, 1826; Croly, The Apocalypse of St. John being a New Interpretation, Lond., 1827; Thieme, Commentatio de Septem Epistolis Apocalypticis, Lugd. Bat., 1827; Müller, Ueber die Offenbarung Johannis, Berlin, 1827; Weigemeyer, Eine ganze neue Entrathselung der Offenbarung Johannis, Tubingen, 1827; Holzhausen, Erklärung der Offenbarung Johannis, Munich, 1827; Woodhouse, Annotations on the Apocalypse, London, 1828; The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ...... briefly yet minutely explained and interpreted, to the XIXth. chapter inclusive, London, 1832; Basset, Explication Raisonnée de l'Apocalypse d'après les principes de sa Composition, Paris, 1832-33; The Revelation of Jesus Christ newly translated from the Original Greek; with a plain reading divesting it of its Metaphors, and Notes describing the Persons and Circumstances to which the Symbols refer, London, 1832; The Book of the Unveiling, London, 1833; Roe, An Analytical Arrangement of the Apocalypse, according to the Principles developed under the Name of Parallelism, Dublin, 1834; Kolthoff, Apocalypsis Johanni Apostolo vindicata, Hafniæ, 1834; Ewald, Commentarius in Apocalypsin Johannis, Exegeticus et Criticus, Lipsia, 1828; Weyers, Initium Disputationis de Libri Apocalypseos Argumento, Sententia, et Auctore, Lugd. Bat., 1828; Matthäi, Die Offenbarung Johannis, aus den Griech. übersetzt und mit einer völlstandige Erklärung begleitet, Gottingen, 1828; Scholz, Die Apocalypse des heiligen Johannis übersetzt und mit einer historische Kritische Einleitung erläutert, Frankfurt, 1828; Sander, Erklärung der Offenbarung Johannis, Stuttgardt, 1829; Allwood, A Key to the Revelation of St. John the Divine, London, 1829; Züllig, Johannes die Gottbesprachten eschatologische Gesichte, gennant die Apocalypse, etc., Stuttgardt, 1834; Brunn, Apocalyptisches Wörterbuch, Basel, 1834; Pearson, The Prophetical Character and Inspiration of the Apocalypse; Hutchinson, The Apocalypse its own Interpreter, London, 1835; Jones, The Interpreter; a summary View of the Revelation of St. John, London, 1836; L'Apocalypse expliquée par l'Ecriture, Paris, 1837; Tinius, Die Offenbarung Johannis, durch Einleitung, Uebersetzung und Erklärung, Leipzig, 1839; Studies of the Apocalypse, London, 1838; Lovett, The Revelation of St. John explained, London, 1838; Govett, The Revelation of St. John, literal and future; being an Exposition of that Book, London, 1843; Elliot, Hora Apocalyptica; or a Commentary on the Apocalypse, Critical and Historical, London, 1844; Moses Stuart, A Commentary on the Apocalypse, Andover, U.S., 1845; Fysh, The Sure Word of Prophecy, or the Revelation explained, London, 1840. 595 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him 'which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the 'first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. : 8 'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and 1 Exod. 3. 14. 2 1 Cor. 15. 20. Coloss. 1. 18. a Heb. 9. 14. 6 Zech. 12. 10. 7 Chap. 21. 6, and 22. 13. which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 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 two edged 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. Verse 9. Patmos.'-This is a small island in the Icarian Sea, about thirty miles from the nearest point on the western coast of Asia Minor, which is the Posidium Promontory in Caria. The island does not exceed fifteen miles in circumference, and is nothing but a continued rock, very mountainous and very barren. The only spot in it which has now any cultivation, or is indeed worth any, is a small valley on the west, where the richer inhabitants have a few gardens. Its coast is high, and consists of a collection of capes, which form so many ports, some of which are excellent. The only one in use, however, is a deep gulf on the north-east of the island, sheltered by high mountains on every side but one, where it is protected by a projecting cape. The island produces almost nothing, being furnished from abroad with nearly every article of subsistence. The town is situated upon a high rocky Inountain, rising immediately from the sea. It contains about 400 houses, which, with fifty more at the Scala, form all the habitations in the island. In the middle of the town, near the top of the mountain, is the large and strong monastery of St. John the Evangelist, built by Alexis Commenes. About half-way down the mountain from the town to the Scala there is a natural grotto in the rock, in which it is believed by the natives that St. John abode and wrote the Apocalypse. They have built a small church over it, decked out in the usual tawdry style of the Greek churches. The island is now called Patino. On account of its stern and desolate character the Roman emperors thought it a suitable spot to which criminals might be confined. CHAPTER II. What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of 1 Ephesus, 8 Smyrna, 12 Pergamos, 18 Thyatira: and what is commended, Or found wanting in them. UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: To this island, accordingly, the apostle John was banished by the emperor Domitian, towards the end of his reign, or about the year 95 or 96. It is usually stated, after Tertullian, that this banishment took place after the apostle had been miraculously delivered, unhurt, from a vessel of flaming oil into which he had been cast. 16. And out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword.'Was this to indicate that it was held with peculiar readiness for use, although the right hand was occupied? The Turks sometimes in fighting hold a drawn sword between their teeth, to take when the missiles which fill their hands are discharged. Thus Thevenot:-The galliot, being out a cruising, met with a Turkish galliot, and having laid her athwart hawse, they met with a stout resistance. The Turks who were on board of her, having a naked sword between their teeth and a musket in their hands, beat off their adversaries.' 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thon art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of 'Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman GENERAL VIEW OF THE RUINS OF ANCIENT EPHESUS. |