Bullinger S Companion Bible Notes Revelation (E.W. Bullinger)
《Bullinger’s Companion Bible Notes – Revelation》(E.W. Bullinger)
Commentator
Ethelbert William Bullinger AKC (December 15, 1837 - June 6, 1913) was an Anglican clergyman, Biblical scholar, and ultradispensationalist theologian.
He was born in Canterbury, Kent, England, the youngest of five children of William and Mary (Bent) Bullinger. His family traced their ancestry back to Heinrich Bullinger, the Swiss Reformer.
His formal theological training was at King's College London from 1860-1861, earning an Associate's degree. After graduation, on October 15, 1861, he married Emma Dobson, thirteen years his senior. He later received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1881 from Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury who cited Bullinger's "eminent service in the Church in the department of Biblical criticism."
Bullinger's career in the Church of England spanned 1861 until 1888. He began as associate curate in the parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey in 1861, and was ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1862. He served as parish curate in Tittleshall from 1863-1866; Notting Hill from 1866-1869; Leytonstone, 1869-1870; then Walthamstow until he became vicar of the newly established parish of St. Stephen's in 1874. He resigned his vicarage in 1888.
In the spring of 1867, Bullinger became clerical secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society, a position he would hold till his death in 1913. Bullinger was editor of a monthly journal Things to Come subtitled A Journal of Biblical Literature, with Special Reference to Prophetic Truth. The Official Organ of Prophetic Conferences for over 20 years (1894-1915) and contributed many articles.
Introduction
Rev
THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE.
Rev 1. INTRODUCTION.
Rev 2-3. THE PEOPLE ON THE EARTH.
Rev 4-5 IN HEAVEN. (The Throne, the Book, and the Lamb.)
Revelation 6:1 - Revelation 7:8 ON EARTH. (The Six Seals and 144,000.)
Revelation 7:9 - Revelation 8:6 IN HEAVEN. (The Great Multitude and the Seventh Seal.)
Revelation 8:7 - Revelation 11:14 ON EARTH. (The Six Trumpets.)
Revelation 11:15-19 IN HEAVEN. (The Seventh Trumpet.)
Revelation 11:19 ON EARTH. (The Earthquake, &c.)
Revelation 12:1-12. IN HEAVEN. (Woman, Child, and Dragon.) [Satan""s First Rebellion. 4 ]
Revelation 12:13 - Revelation 13:18 ON EARTH. (The Dragon and Two Beasts.)
Revelation 14:1-5 IN HEAVEN. (The Lamb and 144,000.)
Revelation 14:6-20 ON EARTH. (The Six Angels.)
Revelation 15:1-8. IN HEAVEN. (The Seven Vial Angels.)
Revelation 16:1 - Revelation 18:24. ON EARTH. (The Seven Vials.)
Revelation 19:1-16. IN HEAVEN. (The Marriage of the Lamb, &c.)
Revelation 19:17 - Revelation 20:15 ON EARTH. (The Final Five Judgments.)
Revelation 21:1 - Revelation 22:5. THE PEOPLE ON THE NEW EARTH.
Revelation 22:6-21. CONCLUSION.
( Note . The Structures in the Notes are taken from Dr. E.W. Bullinger""s comprehensive work, The Apocalypse , but as not all in that volume are here given, the lettering is not consecutive throughout. This, however, does not interfere with the study of the Structures presented.)
INTRODUCTORY NOTES.
1 . TITLE OF THE BOOK. Man calls it "The Revelation of St. John the Divine". But its God-given title is in the first verse, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ", that is, the Unveiling, Revealing, and Presentation to earth and heaven of the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) as "KING of Kings and LORD of Lords". It is spoken of as:(a) "The word of God" (Revelation 1:2), in the sense in which the term occurs in the Old Testament (Cp. 1 Chronicles 17:3. Jeremiah 1:4, Jeremiah 1:13. Ezekiel 1:3. Joel 1:1; &c.):(b) "This prophecy" (Revelation 1:3):therefore a prophetic message. The "blessing" here promised makes it clear that from this verse (and not 4:1, as many suppose) to the end the Book concerns things yet future:(c) "The testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:9). Either as testimony to Him as the Coming One (Genitive of the Object):or, the testimony He bore on earth (Gen. of the Subject; Appdx-17 ); probably both.
2 . AUTHORSHIP. The testimony of Melito , bishop of Sardis (c. 170), quoted by Eusebius ; Irenaeus (c. 180); the Mutatorian Cannon fragment (c. 200);
Clement of Alexandria (c. 200); Tertullian (c. 200); Origen (c. 233); Hippolytus , bishop of Pontus (c. 240); &c., may fairly be accepted as to the writer being John the "beloved disciple" and apostle, as against the claims of a supposed John, "an Elder (cp. Peter""s eldership, 1 Peter 5:1) resident in Asia", who is hailed by "the majority of modern critics" as being the author of the Johannine letters (see Introductory Notes to 1 John) and the Revelation (Appdx-197 ).
3 . DATE WRITTEN. This by almost unanimous consent if the early Church writers is ascribed to the close of the reign of the Emperor Domitian, about A.D. 96. At the time of the so-called:Second General Persecution" of the "Christians".
4 . To Whom it was originally sent is unknown. We have no clue, and therefore all speculations on the subject are valueless. (For Characteristics, Scope, Symbolism, &c., of Revelation , see Appdx-197 .)
> n the Wilderness.
1. EPHESUS. Israel""s espousals.
2. SMYRNA. Israel""s testing.
3. PERGAMOS. Israel""s failure.
In the Land. Churches that Jesus found no fault with.
4. THYATIRA. The day of Israel""s kings.
5. SARDIS. Israel""s removal.
6. PHILADELPHIA. The day of Judah""s kings.
7. LAODICEA. Judah""s removal.
Revelation 4:1 - Revelation 5:14. THE FIRST VISION IN HEAVEN.
Revelation 4:1-8-. The throne, the elders, and the zoa .
Revelation 4:8-11. The utterances of the zoa and the elders. Theme: creation .
Revelation 5:1-7. The throne and the book:the Lion and the Lamb.
Revelation 5:8-14. The new Song of the zoe and the elders. Other heavenly utterances. Theme: redemption .
Revelation 6:1 - Revelation 7:8. THE SIX SEALS AND THE SEALING.
Revelation 6:1-2. The false Christ going forth to make war on the saints. (1st seal.) Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:5.
Matthew 6:3-8. Judgments on him and his followers. (2nd, 3rd, and 4th seals.) Matthew 24:6-7.
Matthew 6:9-11. The effects of the war with the saints. Their martyrdom. (5th seal.) Matthew 24:8-28.
Matthew 6:12-17. Judgments on him and his followers. (6th seal.) Matthew 24:29, Matthew 24:30. Question, "Who will be able to stand?"
Revelation 7:1-8. Answer to question, by the sealing of 144, 000, enabling them to stand in judgment. Matthew 24:31.
Revelation 7:9 - Revelation 8:6. THE SECOND VISION IN HEAVEN.
Revelation 7:9-12. The heavenly voices and utterances.
Revelation 7:13-14. The great multitude. Whence they came.
Revelation 7:15-17. The great multitude. Where they are.
Revelation 8:1-6. The heavenly silence and activities (seventh seal).
Revelation 8:7 - Revelation 11:14. THE SECOND VISION ON EARTH.
The first six trumpets .
Revelation 8:7 -. The FIRST trumpet.
Revelation 8:7 -. The earth smitten (hail and fire, &c.).
Revelation 8:7. The third part of trees.
Revelation 8:8 -. The SECOND trumpet.
Revelation 8:8 -. The sea smitten (burning mountains, &c.).
Revelation 8:8. Third part of sea blood.
Revelation 8:9. Death of living creatures in sea. The four trumpets.
Revelation 8:10 -. The THIRD trumpet.
Revelation 8:10-11 -. The waters smitten (star falling, &c.).
Revelation 8:11 -. Third part of waters wormwood.
Revelation 8:11. Death of men.
Revelation 8:12 -. The FOURTH trumpet.
Revelation 8:12 -. The heaven smitten (sun, moon, and stars).
Revelation 8:12. Third part darkened.
Revelation 8:13. Three woes yet to come.
Revelation 9:1-11. The FIFTH trumpet. (The first woe).
Revelation 9:12. The termination of first woe ("The first woe is past"). The first two
Revelation 9:13 - Revelation 11:13 The SIXTH trumpet. (The second woe.) woe trumpets.
Revelation 11:14 -. The termination of second woe ("The second woe is past").
Revelation 11:14. "The third woe cometh quickly.
Revelation 11:15-19-. THE THIRD VISION IN HEAVEN.
Revelation 11:15-. The sounding of the seventh trumpet in heaven.
-, Revelation 11:15 -. Great voices in heaven.
-, Revelation 11:15. Their utterance.
Revelation 11:16. The twenty-four elders.
Revelation 11:17-18. Their utterance.
Revelation 11:19 -. The opening of God""s Temple in heaven.
Revelation 12:13 - Revelation 13:18. THE FOURTH VISION "ON EARTH".
Revelation 12:13-17. The effect as regards Israel.
Revelation 13:1-18. The effect as regards the earth.
Revelation 14:6-20. THE FIFTH VISION "ON EARTH".
nd the Son of Man.
Revelation 14:6. The first Angel
Revelation 14:7. His proclamation.
Revelation 14:8 -. The second Angel.
-, Revelation 14:8. His declaration.
Revelation 14:9 -. The third Angel.
-, Revelation 14:9-13. His denunciation (- Revelation 14:9-11). His consolation (Revelation 14:12-13).
Revelation 14:14 -. The Son of Man.
-, Revelation 14:14. What He had. A sharp sickle.
Revelation 14:15 -. The forth Angel.
-, Revelation 14:15-16. His command to the Son of Man (-15). Its execution (16).
Revelation 14:17 -. The fifth Angel.
-, Revelation 14:17. What he had. The sharp sickle.
Revelation 14:18 -. The sixth Angel.
-, Revelation 14:18-20. His command to the fifth angel (- Revelation 14:18). Its execution (Revelation 14:19-20).
Revelation 15:1-8. THE SIXTH VISION "IN HEAVEN".
, Revelation 15:1. The seven angels.
Revelation 15:2-4. Worship offered.
Revelation 15:5-7. The seven angels.
Revelation 15:8. Worship no longer possible.
Revelation 18:1-24. THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT CITY.
, Revelation 18:1-2. Babylon""s judgment. Announcement of it.
Revelation 18:3. Babylon""s associates. Their sin.
Revelation 18:4. God""s people. Call to "Come out of her".
Revelation 18:5-8. Babylon""s judgment. Reason for it.
Revelation 18:9-19. Babylon""s inhabitants. Their lamentation.
Revelation 18:20. God""s people. Call to "Rejoice over her".
Revelation 18:21. Babylon""s judgment. Manner of it.
Revelation 18:22-23. Babylon""s inhabitants. Their silence.
Revelation 18:24. God""s people. Their blood "found in her".
Revelation 19:1-10. THE FINAL HEAVENLY UTTERANCES.
, Revelation 19:1-. The voice of the great multitude.
-Revelation 19:1. Hallelujah. 1st
Revelation 19:2-3-. Reason. utterance.
-Revelation 19:3. The smoke and destruction of the harlot.
Revelation 19:4. Prostration of the elders (2nd utterance).
Revelation 19:5. Exhortation from the throne (3rd utterance) to the servants of God (Pos.).
Revelation 19:6-. The voice of the great multitude.
-Revelation 19:6-7-. Hallelujah. 4th
-Revelation 19:7. Reason. utterance.
Revelation 19:8-9-. The array and blessedness of the wife.
-Revelation 19:9-10-. Prostration of John.
-Revelation 19:10. Exhortation of angel to John, his fellow servant (Neg.).
Revelation 19:17 - Revelation 20:15. THE SEVENTH (AND LAST) VISION
"ON EARTH".
, Revelation 19:17-21. Men. The judgment of the beast and the false prophet.
Revelation 20:1-3. Satan. The judgment of Satan (before the millennium).
Revelation 20:4-6. Men. The judgment of the over-comers. The "rest of the dead" left for judgment.
Revelation 20:7-10. Satan. The judgment of Satan. (After the millennium).
Revelation 20:11-15. Men. The judgment of the great white throne.
Revelation 21:1 - Revelation 22:5. THE PEOPLE ON THE NEW EARTH.
, Revelation 21:1-2. Visions (heavens and earth, &c.).
Revelation 21:3-8. Voices.
Revelation 21:9 - Revelation 22:5. Visions (the bride).
01 Chapter 1
Verse 1
The . . . Christ. The Divine title of the Book.
The Revelation = Revelation. Greek. apokalupsis, whence our "Apocalypse". App-106and App-197.
Jesus Christ. App-98.
unto = to.
shew = point out. First occurrence Matthew 4:8. Compare Revelation 22:6. servants, servant. App-190. The word is peculiarly appropriated to Israel throughout O.T., and in this Book is used (fourteen times) as the proper title of those who are its subjects. Contrast "servants" and "sons", Romans 8:14-17. Galatians 1:4, Galatians 1:1-7. 1 John 3:1.
things, &c. = what things must needs come to pass. See Daniel 2:29 (Septuagint)
shortly = with (Greek. en) speed.
sent = having sent. App-174.
Verse 2
record = witness. See p. 1511. The verb Occurs only here and Revelation 22:16, Revelation 22:20 in Rev.
the word of God. Thus a direct prophetic communication, as 1 Samuel 9:27. 1 Kings 12:22. 1 Chronicles 17:3. Yet Compare Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 19:13; Revelation 20:4.
word. App-121.
testimony = witness. See John 1:7 and p. 1511.
and, &c. Not merely "heard" but saw in vision.
all things that = whatsoever things.
saw. App-133.
Verse 3
Blessed = Happy. Greek. makarios, by which the Septuagint renders the Hebrew "ashrey. See App-63. First of seven occurance in Rev. (fifty in N.T.)
this = the.
prophecy. Occurs seven times (App-10) in Rev.
keep. See Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51. Occurs eleven times in Rev.
those = the.
therein = in (Greek. en) it.
time. Greek. kairos. Compare App-195.
Verse 4
seven. See App-10and App-197.
churches. Greek. ekklesia. App-120and App-186.
in. App-104.
Asia. Not Europe, and consequently not Christendom.
Grace. App-184.
from. App-104.
Him. . . come. Greek paraphrase of "Jehovah". See App-4.
Which = Who, and so throughout Revelation.
Spirits. App-101.
Verse 5
faithful. App-150. Compare Isaiah 55:4.
Witness. Greek. martus. See Revelation 3:14 and p. 1511.
First Begotten. See Romans 8:29. Hebrews 1:6. Compare Psalms 2:7. Acts 13:33. 1 Corinthians 15:20. Colossians 1:18.
of the dead. App-139. The texts omit ek.
Prince = Ruler. See John 12:31.
kings, &c. See Revelation 6:16 and Psalms 89:27, Psalms 89:37.
earth. App-129.
loved. The texts read "loveth". App-135.
washed. The texts read "loosed". App-95.:1; note 2, p 138.
from. Greek. ek. App-104.
sins. App-128. Elsewhere in Revelation 18:4, Revelation 18:5.
in = by. Greek. en. App-104.
Verse 6
hath. Omit.
kings and priests = (to be) a kingdom (so all texts) and (to be) priests. See Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6. Exodus 19:6 (Septuagint "a royal priesthood")
Father. See App-98.
glory = the glory. See p. 1511.
dominion = the dominion. App-172.
for ever, &c. App-151. a. First of fourteen occurances: (including Revelation 14:11).
Amen = even (the) Amen: See Revelation 3:14.
Verse 7
Behold. App-133.
with. App-104.
clouds = the clouds.
eye. Figure of speech Synecdoche (App-6), for person.
see. App-133.
they, &c. Allusion to Zechariah 12:10.
pierced. Compare John 19:34.
kindreds = tribes, as Matthew 19:28; Matthew 24:30; &c. Greek. phule.
because of. Greek. epi. App-104. See Zechariah 12:10.
Even so = Yea.
Verse 8
Alpha and Omega = The Alpha and the Omega. See Revelation 1:17; Revelation 22:13.
the . . . ending. The texts omit.
LORD. The texts read "LORD God" (see App-4).
LORD. App-98.
Almighty App-98. The Greek word occurs nine (App-10) times in Rev. Only once elsewhere (2 Corinthians 6:18) in N.T.
Verse 9
who also am. Omit.
companion = partaker, as Romans 11:17. Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:7; &c.
tribulation = the tribulation. Here; Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:22; Revelation 7:14.
in the. The texts omit.
kingdom and patience. With this "kingdom" the "tribulation" is specially connected. Figure of speech Hendiatris (App-6). See Acts 14:22.
patience. Occurs seven times in Rev. Compare Luke 21:19. 2 Thessalonians 3:5.
of. The texts read "in" (Greek. en).
Jesus. App-98.
Christ. The texts omit.
was = came to be.
Patimos. An island (mod. Patino) about thirty miles south-west of Samos.
for. App-104. Revelation 1:2. Nothing to indicate that John had been "banished".
for. The texts omit.
Christ. The texts omit.
Verse 10
Spirit. App-101. See Revelation 4:2; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 21:10.
on = in (Greek. en).
the Lord"s day = the day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:12, &c), the Hebrew terms for which are equivalent to the Greek he kuriake hemera, the Lord"s day. Occurances: 1 Thessalonians 5:2. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 (with texts). 2 Peter 3:16. Not our Sunday.
trumpet. In O.T. connected with war and the day of the Lord. See Zephaniah 1:14-16; &c. This verse (10) is the key to understanding the book of Revelation: John was taken "in the power of The Holy Spirit", from (A.D. 96) on to a time past this present time, to the future ("the day of the Lord"), and shown things both past and that are future.
Verse 11
I am . . . last: and. The texts omit.
seest. App-133.
in. Greek. eis.
book = roll, or scroll, as Revelation 6:14.
send. App-174.
which . . . Asia. The texts omit.
unto. Greek. eis, as above.
Verse 12
voice. The Speaker (Figures of speech Metonymy of Effect, and Catachresis. App-6). See Revelation 1:10.
spake = was speaking.
being = having.
candlesticks = larnpstands. Occurs seven times in Rev.
Verse 13
the. Omit.
Son of Man. See App-98and App-99.
about. Greek. pros.
paps = breasts.
Verse 14
His head. Read "And His head".
like. The texts read "as". Compare this and the following verses: with Ezekiel 1:7. Daniel 7:9; Daniel 10:6.
Verse 15
fine brass. Only here and Revelation 2:18.
as . . . burned = as glowing.
furnace. Only here; Revelation 9:2. Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:50.
voice . . . waters. See Revelation 1:10; Revelation 14:2; Revelation 19:6. Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2.
voice. Same word as "sound". Greek. phone.
Verse 16
He had = having.
stars. See Revelation 1:20.
out . . . sword. For the Figure compare Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7. The significance is seen in Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 49:2. 2 Thessalonians 2:8. See also Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:16; Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21. Luke 19:27.
twoedged. Compare Hebrews 4:12.
sword. Greek. rhomphaia. Occurs only in Rev. (six times) and Luke 2:35.
countenance. Greek. opsis. Only here; John 7:24; John 11:44.
strength. App-172.1; Revelation 176:1.
Verse 17
fell. Greek. pipto. See Revelation 7:16 (light).
at. Greek. pros. App-104.
dead = one dead. App-139.
unto me. The texts omit.
I am . . . Last. Compare Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:11, Isaiah 48:12.
Verse 18
I . . . liveth = And the Living One.
liveth, alive. App-170.
and. Read "and yet".
was = became.
dead. See App-139.
I am alive = Living (emph.) am I.
Amen. Omit.
hell. . . death. The texts read "death and of hell".
hell = grave. App-131. See Revelation 20:13 (margin) 1 Corinthians 15:55. Revised Version transliterates the Greek word hades.
Verse 19
Write. The texts add "therefore".
hast seen = sawest, as Revelation 1:2.
the . . . are = what thoy are, i.e. what they signify.
and = even.
shall be = are about to happen.
hereafter. Literally after (Greek. meta.) these things (Greek. tauta). Hebrew idiom; compare Genesis 22:1. First of ten occurrences in Rev.
Verse 20
mystery = secret symbol. See App-193.
stars. Greek. aster, occurs fourteen times in Rev. (App-10)
in. Greek. epi.
are = represent, or signify.
the. Omit.
angels. App-120. Revelation 1:2.
which . . . sawest. The texts omit.
the. Omit.
02 Chapter 2
Verse 1
Unto = To.
angel. See Revelation 1:20.
church. App-186.
Ephesus. Not for those addressed in Ephesians, on whom all blessing is bestowed by grace. Here blessing is promised to overcomers only.
holdeth. Occurs eight times in Rev. Compare App-172. See Colossians 2:19. Hebrews 4:14; &c.
seven stars. See Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:20.
candlesticks. See Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:13, and compare Leviticus 26:12. Deuteronomy 23:14, &c. 2 Corinthians 6:16.
Verse 2
works. The Lord deals according to works in "the day of the Lord". See Isaiah 66:18.
thy. Omit.
labour = toil. The verb in Revelation 2:3 and Matthew 6:28.
patience. As in Revelation 2:3 with Revelation 1:9. See Romans 2:7.
bear. Gr. bastazo. In Rev. here, Revelation 2:3; Revelation 17:7 (carrieth).
evil. App-128.
hast tried = didst try.
say they. The texts read "call themselves".
apostles. App-189.
hast found = didst find.
liars. Greek. pseudes. Only here; Revelation 21:8. Acts 6:13.
Verse 3
hast, &c. The texts read "and hast patient endurance and didst bear (Revelation 2:2) for", &c.