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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 14
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
ὄνομα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ before ὄνομα τ . πατρ . is omitted in the Rec., in opposition to almost all the witnesses.
Rev_14:3. Before ᾠδὴν καιν ., A, C, Vulg., Lach. [W. and H.], have a ὡς , which is lacking in B, à , al., Verss., Elz., Tisch., and may have been carried over from Rev_14:2.
Rev_14:5. After the ἀμωμοι , the γάρ (B, à , Copt., Syr., Orig., Elz., Tisch.) is possibly to be deleted (A, C, 12, Vulg., Lach. [W. and H.]); cf. Rev_14:4 : παρθ . γάρ εἰς . Incorrect is the addition at the close in the Rec., ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ θεοῦ .
Rev_14:6. ἐπὶ τοὺς καθημἐνους . So Lach., Tisch. [W. and H.], because the ἐπὶ , which stands also directly before πᾶν ἕθνος , is supported by A, C, à , al. (it is lacking in B, Elz., Beng.), while the Rec. τ . κατοικοῦντας (A, Lach., small ed.) gives only the more usual expression (Rev_13:8; Rev_13:12; Rev_13:14) against B, C, à , al.
Rev_14:8. Instead of ὃτι (Elz.), read ῆ with A, C, Lach., Tisch. Both are lacking in Beng.
Rev_14:13. ἀναπαήσονται . So A, C, à , Lach., Tisch. [W. and H.]. The form ἀναπαύσωνται (Elz., B: ἁναπαύσονται ) is a modification.
τὰ δὲ έργα . So Elz., Beng., Tisch., according to B, al., Andr., Areth. The well-attested reading τὰ γὰρ ἔργα (A, C, à , al., Vulg., Lach., Tisch. IX. [W. and H.]) is liable to suspicion as an attempt at interpretation.
Rev_14:15. The σοι after ἦλθεν (Elz.) is incorrect (A, B, C, à , Beng., Lach., Tisch. [W. and H.]).
Rev_14:18. ὁ ἔχων . So Lach., Tisch., according to A, C. The article causing a difficulty is omitted already in B, à (Elz., Beng., Griesb., Tisch. IX.) [bracketed in W. and H.].
The plural ἤκμασαν αἱ σταφυλαὶ (Elz., Lach., Tisch. IX. [W. and H.]), is of course, easier than the sing. (Tisch., according to B), but is defended as adequate by A, C, à , al.
A, C, à , advocate αὐτῆς (Elz., Lach., Tisch. IX. [W. and H.]), while B offers τῆς γῆς .
Rev_14:19. τὸν μἑγαν . So A, B, C, Tisch., Lach. [W. and H.]. The Rec., τὴν μεγάλην ( à ), is purely an emendation.
After the description of the secular power threatening believers (ch. 13, cf. also Rev_12:12; Rev_12:17) has shown how the proper originator of all the calamity, which has been prepared for believers, is no less than Satan himself, there now follows—in consolatory contrast to that terrible picture—an account which, with its two parts (Rev_14:1-5, Rev_14:6-20), serves essentially to give emphatic force to the thoughts that obtruded themselves already in Rev_13:9-10, in the midst of the description of the antichristian enemies. This contrast between chs. 14 and 13 lies not only in the contents in itself, but is also expressly marked by the definite retrospective allusions to ch. 13 (cf. especially Rev_14:8 sqq.).
In like manner, just as in ch. Rev_7:9 sqq., an inspiriting prospect of the heavenly glory of believers abiding faithful in the great tribulation still impending, is afforded before this trouble itself is stated, so also in the first part of ch. 14 (Rev_14:1-5), a scene, is represented which in a multitude of departed believers (Rev_14:1, one hundred and forty-four thousand, Rev_14:4, ἀπαρχή ), who appear with the Lamb on Mount Zion, and are described as such as have kept their earthly life free from all defilement of the world, manifests the glorious rewards of the victors.[3418]
In another way the second vision (Rev_14:6 sqq.) brings the incentive to patience;[3419] viz., by the declaration of the Divine judgment infallibly pertaining to the antichristian secular power. The latter account is presented with such elegance that the outline of the entire Apoc., at least seemingly forgotten, is stated again more definitely. The nearer we come to the final catastrophe, the more clearly is the analogy in the appearance of the vision to be known, as the end is organically developed from the beginning: the seven vials of wrath (Rev_15:1 sqq.) appear in the same relation to the trumpets (Rev_8:2 to Rev_11:19) as the latter do to the seven seals (Rev_5:1 to Rev_8:1), so that from the standpoint to which Rev_14:6-20 already leads, and which is again expressly adopted in Rev_15:1, the apparent chasm between ch. 11 and ch. 12 completely vanishes.
[3418] Cf. Rev_2:11, Rev_3:12; Rev_3:21.
[3419] Cf. Rev_14:12, where the admonition is expressly made prominent.