Revelation.

Back to Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

- The Book of the Revelation of St. John consists of two principal divisions. 1. Relates to "the things which are," that is, the then present state of the church, and contains the epistle of John to the seven churches, and his account of the appearance of the Lord Jesus, and his direction to the apostle to write what he beheld, ch. Rev 1:9-20. Also the addresses or epistles to seven churches of Asia. These, doubtless, had reference to the state of the respective churches, as they then existed, but contain excellent precepts and exhortations, commendations and reproofs, promises and threatenings, suitable to instruct the Christian church at all times.

2. Contains a prophecy of "the things which shall be hereafter," and describes the future state of the church, from the time when the apostle beheld the visions here recorded. It is intended for our spiritual improvement; to warn the careless sinner, point out the way of salvation to the awakened inquirer, build up the weak believer, comfort the afflicted and tempted Christian, and, we may especially add, to strengthen the martyr of Christ, under the cruel persecutions and sufferings inflicted by Satan and his followers.

The Divine origin, the design, and the importance of this book. (1-3) The apostle John salutes the seven churches of Asia. (4-8) Declares when, where, and how, the revelation was made to him. (9-11) His vision, in which he saw Christ appear. (12-20)

Rev 1:1-3	Rev 1:4-8	Rev 1:9-11	Rev 1:12-20
Rev 2:1-7	Rev 2:8-11	Rev 2:12-17	Rev 2:18-29
Rev 3:1-13	Rev 3:14-22
Rev 4:1-8	Rev 4:9-11
Rev 5:1-7	Rev 5:8-14
Rev 6:1-8	Rev 6:9-11	Rev 6:12-17
Rev 7:1-8	Rev 7:9-12	Rev 7:13-17
Rev 8:1-6	Rev 8:7-13
Rev 9:1-12	Rev 9:13-21
Rev 10:1-7	Rev 10:8-11
Rev 11:1-2	Rev 11:3-13	Rev 11:14-19
Rev 12:1-6	Rev 12:7-11	Rev 12:12-17
Rev 13:1-10	Rev 13:11-18
Rev 14:1-5	Rev 14:6-13	Rev 14:14-20
Rev 15:1-4	Rev 15:5-8
Rev 16:1-7	Rev 16:8-11	Rev 16:12-16	Rev 16:17-21
Rev 17:1-6	Rev 17:7-14	Rev 17:15-18
Rev 18:1-8	Rev 18:9-19	Rev 18:20-24
Rev 19:1-10	Rev 19:11-21
Rev 20:1-3	Rev 20:4-6	Rev 20:7-10	Rev 20:11-15
Rev 21:1-8	Rev 21:9-21	Rev 21:22-27
Rev 22:1-5	Rev 22:6-19	Rev 22:20-21