Rev 1:17-18 | RWP | e4.org | I fell ( επεσα ). Late form for the old επεσον (second aorist active indicative of πιπτω , to fall). Under the over-powering influence of the vision as in . He laid ( εθηκεν ). First aorist active indicative of τιθημ . The act restored John's confidence. Fear not ( μη φοβου ). Cf. to Zacharias to give comfort. I am the first and the last ( εγω ειμ ο πρωτος κα ο εσχατος ). Used in ; of God, but here, ; of Christ. And the Living One ( κα ο ζων ). Present active articular participle of ζαω , another epithet of God common in the O.T. ( ; , etc.) and applied purposely to Jesus, with which see for Christ's own words about it.

‏ Revelation of John 1:17-18

I fell ( επεσα ). Late form for the old επεσον (second aorist active indicative of πιπτω, to fall). Under the over-powering influence of the vision as in 19:10.

He laid ( εθηκεν ). First aorist active indicative of τιθημ. The act restored John's confidence.

Fear not ( μη φοβου ). Cf. Lu 1:13 to Zacharias to give comfort.

I am the first and the last ( εγω ειμ ο πρωτος κα ο εσχατος ). Used in Isa 44:6; 48:12 of God, but here, 2:8; 22:13 of Christ.

And the Living One ( κα ο ζων ). Present active articular participle of ζαω, another epithet of God common in the O.T. (De 32:40; Isa 49:18, etc.) and applied purposely to Jesus, with which see Joh 5:26 for Christ's own words about it.

And I was dead ( κα εγενομην νεκρος ). "And I be came dead" (aorist middle participle of γινομα as in 1:9, 10, definite reference to the Cross).

I am alive ( ζων ειμ ). Periphrastic present active indicative, "I am living," as the words ο ζων just used mean.

Forevermore ( εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων ). "Unto the ages of the ages," a stronger expression of eternity even than in 1:6.

The keys ( τας κλεις ). One of the forms for the accusative plural along with κλειδας, the usual one (Mt 16:19).

Of death and of Hades ( του θανατου κα του αιδου ). Conceived as in Mt 16:18 as a prison house or walled city. The keys are the symbol of authority, as we speak of honouring one by giving him the keys of the city. Hades here means the unseen world to which death is the portal. Jesus has the keys because of his victory over death. See this same graphic picture in 6:8; 20:13f. For the key of David see 3:7, for the key of the abyss see 9:1; 20:1.