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Rev_1:3. Commendation of the book, which, to those who receive and keep it, may be a source of blessedness in the near impending and decisive time.
Μακάριος refers alone[529] to the participation in the kingdom of glory, which follows the conflict and tribulation of the preceding judgments, but not at the same time,[530] that the godly are to be preserved amid these judgments.
ὁ ἀναγινώσκων καὶ οἱ ἀκούοντεσ , κ . τ . λ . These are not, in spite of the change of singular and plural, to be regarded the same subject;[531] but by the Ὁ ἈΝΑΓΙΝ . the public reader, and by the ΟἹ ἈΚΟΎΟΝΤΕς the hearing congregations, are designated.[532] This exposition is not “more tasteless,” but is far more natural, than that according to which ἉΚΟΎΕΙΝ [533] means, not simply “to hear,” but “to lend the ear of understanding.”
Τ . ΛΟΓ . Τ . ΠΡΟΦ . By this John names this book,[534] because what he is to publish in the same in writing ( ΤᾺ ΓΕΓΡ . ἘΝ ΑὐΤῆ ) is a divine revelation, of which he as a prophet is the interpreter.[535]
By the mere hearing, of course, nothing is accomplished: hence John adds to what is said elsewhere only in Rev_22:7 : ΚΑῚ ΤΗΡΟῦΝΤΕΣ , Κ . Τ . Λ . The ΤΗΡΕῖΝ is properly explained in conformity with its meaning by supplying mentally, “in their hearts;”[536] only, still further, that so far as what is written in the book contains, directly or indirectly, the commandments of fidelity, patience, etc., the additional relation which prevails in the combination ΤΗΡ . ΤᾺς ἘΝΤΟΛΆς [537] results.[538]
Ὁ ΓᾺΡ ΚΑΙΡῸς ἘΓΓΎς . Foundation for the commendation of the book which has just been expressed: the time[539] which will bring blessedness to the faithful is at hand;[540] blessed, therefore, he who takes to heart the instruction here offered.[541] Notice here how in Rev_11:18, Rev_22:10, cf. Rev_12:12; Rev_12:14, the expression ὁ καιρός is used, i.e., the fixed, expected point of time; while ὁ χρόνος , on the other hand, is time in general, according to the conception of duration, and is otherwise more external and chronological.[542]
[529] According to Rev_19:9, Rev_20:6, Rev_22:14. Cf. with Rev_2:7; Rev_2:11; Rev_2:17; Rev_2:26, Rev_3:5; Rev_3:12; Rev_3:21 (Rev_14:15).
[530] Hengstb., Ebrard.
[531] Wolf, Ebrard. The comparison of Rev_1:7, πᾶς ὀφθ . and καὶ ὅιτινες , is inapplicable, since in the very conception πᾶς a plurality is presupposed.
[532] Beng., Ew., De Wette, Hengstb., Bleek, Stern [Beck].
[533] Cf. Rev_22:13.
[534] Idem.
[535] Cf. Introduction, sec. 2.
[536] Pricäus, Grot., Ewald, De Wette, etc.
[537] Cf. Rev_14:12.
[538] Cf. in general my commentary on 1Jn_2:3.
[539] Rev_11:18.
[540] Cf. Rev_1:1, ἐν τάχει .
[541] Cf. 1Pe_4:7; 1Pe_4:17; Rom_13:11.
[542] Rev_6:11, Rev_10:6, Rev_20:3. Cf. Lünemann on 1Th_5:1.