Rev 1:3-4 | RWP | e4.org | Blessed ( μακαριος ). As in . This endorses the book as a whole. He that readeth ( ο αναγινωσκων ). Present active singular articular participle of αναγινωσκω (as in ). Christians in their public worship followed the Jewish custom of public reading of the Scriptures ( .). The church reader ( αναγνωστης , lector) gradually acquired an official position. John expects this book to be read in each of the seven churches mentioned ( ) and elsewhere. Today the public reading of the Bible is an important part of worship that is often poorly done. They that hear ( ο ακουοντες ). Present active plural articular participle of ακουω (the audience). And keep ( κα τηρουντες ). Present active participle of τηρεω , a common Johannine word ( , etc.). Cf. . "The content of the Apocalypse is not merely prediction; moral counsel and religious instruction are the primary burdens of its pages" (Moffatt). Written ( γεγραμμενα ). Perfect passive participle of γραφω . For the time is at hand ( ο γαρ καιρος εγγυς ). Reason for listening and keeping. On καιρος see , time of crisis as in . How near εγγυς (at hand) is we do not know any more than we do about εν ταχε (shortly) in .

‏ Revelation of John 1:3-4

Blessed ( μακαριος ). As in Mt 5:3ff. This endorses the book as a whole.

He that readeth ( ο αναγινωσκων ). Present active singular articular participle of αναγινωσκω (as in Lu 4:16). Christians in their public worship followed the Jewish custom of public reading of the Scriptures (2Co 3:14f.). The church reader ( αναγνωστης, lector) gradually acquired an official position. John expects this book to be read in each of the seven churches mentioned (1:4) and elsewhere. Today the public reading of the Bible is an important part of worship that is often poorly done.

They that hear ( ο ακουοντες ). Present active plural articular participle of ακουω (the audience).

And keep ( κα τηρουντες ). Present active participle of τηρεω, a common Johannine word (1Jo 2:4, etc.). Cf. Mt 7:24. "The content of the Apocalypse is not merely prediction; moral counsel and religious instruction are the primary burdens of its pages" (Moffatt).

Written ( γεγραμμενα ). Perfect passive participle of γραφω.

For the time is at hand ( ο γαρ καιρος εγγυς ). Reason for listening and keeping. On καιρος see Mt 12:1, time of crisis as in 1Co 7:29. How near εγγυς (at hand) is we do not know any more than we do about εν ταχε (shortly) in 1:1.

To the seven churches which are in Asia ( ταις επτα εκκλησιαις ταις εν τη Ασια ). Dative case as in a letter (Ga 1:1). John is writing, but the revelation is from God and Christ through an angel. It is the Roman province of Asia which included the western part of Phrygia. There were churches also at Troas (Ac 20:5ff.) and at Colossal and Hierapolis (Col 1:1; 2:1; 4:13) and possibly at Magnesia and Tralles. But these seven were the best points of communication with seven districts (Ramsay) and, besides, seven is a favorite number of completion (like the full week) in the book (1:4, 12, 16; 4:5; 5:1, 6; 8:2; 10:3; 11:13; 12:3; 13:1; 14:6f.).

From him which is ( απο ο ων ). This use of the articular nominative participle of ειμ after απο instead of the ablative is not due to ignorance or a mere slip ( λαψυς πενναε ), for in the next line we have the regular idiom with απο των επτα πνευματων. It is evidently on purpose to call attention to the eternity and unchangeableness of God. Used of God in Ex 3:14.

And which was ( κα ο ην ). Here again there is a deliberate change from the articular participle to the relative use of ο (used in place of ος to preserve identity of form in the three instances like Ionic relative and since no aorist participle of ειμ existed). The oracle in Pausanias X. 12 has it: Ζευς ην, Ζευς εστι, Ζευς εσσετα (Zeus was, Zeus is, Zeus will be).

Which is to come ( ο ερχομενος ). "The Coming One," futuristic use of the present participle instead of ο εσομενος. See the same idiom in verse 8; 4:8 and (without ο ερχομενος ) in 11:17; 16:5.

From the seven spirits ( απο των επτα πνευματων ). A difficult symbolic representation of the Holy Spirit here on a par with God and Christ, a conclusion borne out by the symbolic use of the seven spirits in 3:1; 4:5; 5:6 (from Zec 4:2-10). There is the one Holy Spirit with seven manifestations here to the seven churches (Swete, The Holy Spirit in the N.T., p. 374), unity in diversity (1Co 12:4).

Which are ( των article Aleph A, α relative P).

Before his throne ( ενωπιον του θρονου αυτου ). As in 4:5f.