Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21, 5:5, 6:2, 11:7, 12:11, 13:7 | PNT | STEP | He that hath an ear . The call to solemn attention found at the close of each epistle. See . To him that overcometh . The Christian life is a battle and must also be a victory. The Greek word "nikao", rendered "overcome", is peculiar to John. It occurs "once" in his Gospel ( ), "six" times in his epistles ( ), and "sixteen" times in Revelation ( ), but only "three" times in all the rest of the New Testament ( ). To eat of the tree of life . The symbol of eternal life. The tree is seen in Eden ( ), here, and in the New Jerusalem ( ). Which is in the midst of the paradise of God . Since the tree of life is found in both, Paradise and the New Jerusalem must mean the same. Paul uses the term as a synonym of the "Third Heaven", or Heaven itself ( ).

‏ Revelation of John 2:7

He that hath an ear. The call to solemn attention found at the close of each epistle. See Re 2: 7,11,17,29 3:6,13,22.

To him that overcometh. The Christian life is a battle and must also be a victory. The Greek word "nikao", rendered "overcome", is peculiar to John. It occurs "once" in his Gospel (Joh 16:33), "six" times in his epistles (1Jo 2:13,14 4:4 5:4,5), and "sixteen" times in Revelation (Re 2:7,11,17,26 3:5,12,21 5:5 6:2 11:7 12:11 13:7 Re 15:2 17:14 21:7), but only "three" times in all the rest of the New Testament (Lu 11:22 Ro 3:4 12:21).

To eat of the tree of life. The symbol of eternal life. The tree is seen in Eden (Ge 2:9 3:22), here, and in the New Jerusalem (Re 22:2).

Which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Since the tree of life is found in both, Paradise and the New Jerusalem must mean the same. Paul uses the term as a synonym of the "Third Heaven", or Heaven itself (2Co 12:2-4).

‏ Revelation of John 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear.

See PNT Re 2:7.

He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death. Those who win the victory shall live forever. To die the second death is to be sent from the judgment throne into hell. See Re 20:14.

‏ Revelation of John 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear.

See PNT Re 2:7.

I will give to eat of the hidden manna. The bread of life, the bread from heaven. The living bread is Jesus Christ, unseen in the earth and hence called hidden.

I will give him a white stone. Among the Greeks a white stone was a symbol of acquittal, as a black stone was of guilt. The white stone implies justification, innocence and victory.

And in the stone a new name written. All conjectures concerning this new name are idle. It is only given to those who have finally overcome and cannot be known to us here, but implies their new relation to God and the Lamb in their triumphant state.

‏ Revelation of John 2:26

To the end. Until death.

To him will I give power over the nations. In the coming period, when Christ shall rule all kingdoms, the saints who have endured shall share his authority.

‏ Revelation of John 3:5

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment. This is the usual promise to him who overcomes; he shall wear the white raiment of the redeemed; though the names of those who are spiritually dead shall be blotted out of the book of life his name shall not be; and he will be confessed before the Father, that is, acknowledged.

The book of life. Compare 13:8 17:8 20:12,15 21:27 Php 4:3. The book of life means the roll of those who have become heirs of immortality.

I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Compare Mt 10:32 Lu 12:8.

‏ Revelation of John 3:12

A pillar. A term implying strength, permanence and honor.

In the temple of my God. Not in any material temple, but in the church, either on earth or in heaven. The latter is here meant. The New Jerusalem has no temple in it because it is all temple.

He shall go no more out. Always dwell there.

I will write upon him the name of my God. When one enters the church, the spiritual temple below, three names are recorded in his baptismal formula. When he enters the kingdom above, three names are again written upon him; the name of God, of the heavenly city, and Christ's heavenly name.

‏ Revelation of John 3:21

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne. He shall reign with Christ; that is, as a coadjutor of Christ.

As I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. As the result of his overcoming God exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour (Ac 5:31), and to sit at the right hand of the Majesty of the heavens (Heb 8:1). As he was exalted, so he will exalt all his brethren who win the victory over sin and temptation.

‏ Revelation of John 5:5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not. It is one of the twenty-four elders that assures him that the book will be opened; and let it be distinctly noted that such a duty as instructing a prophet in heavenly things was never laid upon a human beings under either covenant. Such duties mark the elders as belonging to the angelic realm.

The Lion of the tribe of Juda. See Ge 49:9. See also Isa 11:1,10. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, or descended from David.

‏ Revelation of John 6:2

And I saw, and behold, a white horse. Let the reader note particularly what John saw, and then remember that it is symbolical, and that instead of looking for a literal fulfillment, we are to ask the meaning of the symbols. There are several features of the vision that fix our attention: (1) The horse; (2) his white color; (3) the armed warrior; (4) his crown; (5) his bow; (6) his mission. It is certain that none of these features would have been named if they did not possess a significance. What do each of these symbols mean? I will consider them in order: (1) THE HORSE. He was never used by the Jews or Orientals as a beast of burden. The ox and the ass were devoted to that office, and the horse was reserved for war. Whenever the horse is mentioned by the prophets it will be found in connection with warlike employments. That the horse is always associated with war can be seen by consulting Job 29:25 Ps 76:6 Pr 21:31 Jer 8:6 Eze 26:10. Hence this symbol points to a period of war, though it alone does not declare whether the conflict is carnal or spiritual, is triumphant or disastrous. (2) THE WHITE COLOR. As there are three more horses in succession under the three following seals, each of different colors, the color must have a meaning. White must have a different significance from red, or black, or pale. What is indicated by the color of the first horse? White is the color of prosperity, of happiness, and triumph. Whenever a Roman General was given a triumph his chariot was drawn by milk-white horses. In Re 19:11 the Mighty Conqueror who wears many crowns is seen riding on a white horse. Commentators are agreed that the white horse signifies prosperous, victorious wars. (3) THE RIDER. His significance is due to his arms, his crown, and the white horse he rides. It is enough to state here that he represents either some conqueror, or a conquering age. (4) THE CROWN. "A crown was given to him". This crown is not "the diadem" ("diadema") but the "garland crown" ("stephanos"). The last was the crown given as a reward for victory in battle, for great achievements or for victory in games. The Hero of chapter 19 wears many diadems, kingly crowns (Re 19:12), but this rider wears the garland crown, the "stephanos". It is important to note this distinction. (5) THE BOW. He is armed with a usual weapon of war in that age. The bow may signify that the rider is a great, warlike figure, or there may be a special significance in the fact that he is armed with a bow instead of a sword or spear.

‏ Revelation of John 11:7

When they shall have finished their testimony. The thought is, "When they shall have made their testimony complete".

The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit. The coming up of the beast out of the abyss is named here, in Re 13:1 17:3. The powers that come from the abyss are satanic. Compare Re 9:2 9:11. The beast, therefore, represents some devilish power or influence. The Greek word "therion", rendered "beast" here, in Re 13:1 17:3 denotes a savage wild beast of prey. The beast from the abyss should be distinguished from "the beast coming up out of the sea" (Re 13:1), and from "the beast coming up out of the earth" (Re 13:11). They are all malign powers, but the power of evil manifested in different forms.

Shall . . . kill them. Whatever the beast represents, that power shall assail the witnesses, and shall slay them for a time.

‏ Revelation of John 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. This shows how the victory indicated in Re 12:8 was won. It was won by the blood of Christ and the faithfulness of the saints.

They loved not their lives even to the death. They were willing to give their lives for Christ.

‏ Revelation of John 13:7

It was given unto him. He had power to make war on the saints and to overcome them for a long period. Compare Re 12:14-17.

Power was given him. His dominion was also one that seemed universal, and he claimed rule "over all kindreds, and languages, and nations".