King James Version
Revelation 14
20 verses with commentary
The Lamb and the 144,000
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text use...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
THE CITADEL OF THE SAINTS AND THE SERVANTS OF THE LAMB.
(1) **And I looked . . .**—Better, *And I saw, and behold, the Lamb* (not “a Lamb:” it is *the* Lamb, the true Lamb of God, against whom the wild beast wages savage and subtle war) *standing on the Mount Sion.* The Saviour, the Lamb, in whose blood the saints have found their victory, is seen standing on the citadel of the heavenly city. Baby...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. faithfully--**an act becoming a faithful man.
**whatsoever thou doest--**a distinct Greek word from the former "doest": translate, "workest": whatsoever work, or labor of love, thou dost perform. So Mt 26:10, "She hath wrought a good work upon me."
**and to strangers--**The oldest manuscripts, "and that (that is, and those brethren) strangers." The fact of the brethren whom thou didst ent...
Read full commentary →And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text us...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And I heard a voice . . .**—Translate, *And I heard a voice out of the heaven.* The saints stand with their Lord, the Lamb, *on* Mount Zion, and just as of old a voice came from heaven bearing witness to Christ, so round the abode of the saints heavenly voices are heard, full of majesty, terribleness, and sweetness, as though the sounds of sea and thunder blended with the music of heavenly h...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. borne witness of thy charity before the church--**to stimulate others by the good example. The brethren so entertained by Gaius were missionary evangelists (3Jo 7); and, probably, in the course of narrating their missionary labors for the edification of the Church where John then was, incidentally mentioned the loving hospitality shown them by Gaius.
**bring forward on their journey--**"If ...
Read full commentary →And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed fro...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **And they . . .**—Translate, *And they* (*i.e.*, the heavenly harpers) *sing a new song* (the words “as it were” ought, perhaps, to be omitted) *before the throne, and before the living creatures, and the elders *(*i.e., *in the presence of God Himself, and creation, and the Church), *and no one was able to learn the song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were purchased from the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. his name's sake--**Christ's.
**went forth--**as missionaries.
**taking nothing--**refusing to receive aught by way of pay, or maintenance, though justly entitled to it, as Paul at Corinth and at Thessalonica.
**Gentiles--**the Christians just gathered out by their labors from among the heathen. As Gaius himself was a Gentile convert, "the Gentiles" here must mean the converts just made ...
Read full commentary →These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. redeemed: Gr. bought
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God ...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4, 5) **These are they . . .**—The characteristics of the servants of the Lamb are given in this verse and the following. The first is *purity*: they are virgins. The expression can hardly be limited to the unmarried, as the 144,000 represent the wide society of the choice ones of God. They are those whose hearts have been made as the hearts of little children (Matthew 18:1-4), who have that puri...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. We--**in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" or "heathen" referred to, 3Jo 7.
**therefore--**as they take nothing from the Gentiles or heathen.
**receive--**The oldest manuscripts read, "take up." As they "take" nothing from the Gentiles, we ought to take them up so as to support them.
**fellow helpers--**with them.
**to the truth--**that is, to promote the truth.
And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic l...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. I wrote--**The oldest manuscripts add "something": a communication, probably, on the subject of receiving the brethren with brotherly love (3Jo 8, 10). That Epistle was not designed by the Spirit for the universal Church, or else it would have been preserved.
**unto the church--**of which Gaius is a member.
**loveth ... pre-eminence--**through ambition. Evidently occupying a high place in...
Read full commentary →The Three Angels
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And I** **saw . . .**—Better, *And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an everlasting gospel, to declare glad tidings over them that sit on the earth, and over every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people.* In view of the world the gospel is proclaimed; this is the good news that God loves the world, has redeemed mankind, that they belong to Him. This word of God is the sword...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. if I come--**(3Jo 14).
**I will remember--**literally, "I will bring to mind" before all by stigmatizing and punishing.
**prating--**with mere silly tattle.
**neither doth he ... receive the brethren--**with hospitality. "The brethren" are the missionaries on their journey.
**forbiddeth them that would--**receive them.
**casteth them--**those that would receive the brethren, by exc...
Read full commentary →Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Saying . . .**—These words declare what ought to be the effect of the gospel. Those to whom it is preached are sitting inactive on the earth. They must be roused to fear God and give Him glory. They must not fear the powers of evil, the wild beasts, &c., or be afraid of their terror (1Peter 3:14-15). They must realise that there is an hour of judgment at hand, which will discriminate between...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. follow not that which is evil--**as manifested in Diotrephes (3Jo 9, 10).
**but ... good--**as manifested in Demetrius (3Jo 12).
**is of God--**is born of God, who is good.
**hath not seen God--**spiritually, not literally.
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Gr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **And there followed . . .**—The gospel angel is followed by *the* angel that proclaims the downfall of Babylon. Better, *And another, a second, angel followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has given all the nations to drink of, *&c. The second angel follows on the first: the doom of the world-city, the metropolis of the empire of the world-power, follows the proclamation o...
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**12. of all men--**who have had opportunity of knowing his character.
**of the truth itself--**The Gospel standard of truth bears witness to him that he walks conformably to it, in acts of real love, hospitality to the brethren (in contrast to Diotrephes), &c. Compare Joh 3:21 "He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God."
**we...
Read full commentary →And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text u...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **And the third angel** . .—Better, *And another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice, If any man worship the wild beast and his image, and a mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, he also himself shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mingled pure* (in full strength, undiluted, *e.g., *“He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy,” James 2:...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. I will not--**rather as Greek, "I wish not ... to write" more.
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. face to face--**Greek, "mouth to mouth."
**Peace--**peace inward of conscience, peace fraternal of friendship, peace supernal of glory [Lyra].
**friends--**a title seldom used in the New Testament, as it is absorbed in the higher titles of "brother, brethren." Still Christ recognizes the relation of friend also, based on the highest grounds, obedience to Him from love, and entailing the ...
Read full commentary →And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic m...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **For ever and ever.**—Or, *unto ages of ages. *The imagery of the smoke going up reminds us of the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:28; comp. Isaiah 34:10). *They have not rest by day and by night, who worship the wild beast, *&c. Sin, which is first embraced as a delight, becomes soon an inexorable tyrant, by an awful retribution compelling men along the routine of the evil habit...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JUDE
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
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<strong>Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of J...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Here is the patience . . .**—Translate, *Here is the patience of the saints* (not “here are they,” but) *who keep, *&c. In this readiness to wait, to endure through much tribulation to the end, is the patience of the saints seen. There is a patient waiting for Christ shown by those who keep God’s commandments, who cleave to righteousness in spite of much temptation, and who refuse to pay ho...
Read full commentary →And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. from henceforth: or, from henceforth saith the Spirit, Yea
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do foll...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13)**And I heard a voice . . .**—Translate, *And I heard a voice out of the heaven, saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, in that they shall rest from their labours; for their works follow with them.* We are not told whose voice speaks, but it proclaims a blessing on (not only martyrs, but) those who die in the Lord, in happy union and fel...
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INTRODUCTION
**Author.--**He calls himself in the address "the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James." See Introduction to the Epistle of James, in proof of James the apostle, and James the Lord's brother, the bishop of Jerusalem, being one and the same person. Ga 1:19 alone seems to me to prove this. Similarly, Jude the brother of our Lord, and Jude the apostle, seem to be one and the sa...
Read full commentary →The Harvest of the Earth
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
THE HARVEST.
(14) **And I looked . . .**—Better, *And I saw, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one seated like to a son of man, having upon his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.* There can be little doubt that Christ Himself is here intended: the “cloud” (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:9), the expression “Son of man” (comp. John 5:27 and Daniel 7:13), the “crown,” the general ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. Mercy--**in a time of wretchedness. Therefore mercy stands first; the mercy of Christ (Jude 21).
**peace--**in the Holy Ghost (Jude 20).
**love--**of God (Jude 21). The three answer to the divine Trinity.
**be multiplied--**in you and towards you.
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. ripe: or, dried
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **And another angel . . .**—Translate, *And another angel came forth out of the temple, *&c. It has been asked, “What harvest is this?” It is the gathering of the good seed, the full corn in the ear, into the celestial garner (Mark 4:26-29). The angel who announces that the harvest is ready comes forth from the Temple, the inner shrine, the holy place which was measured off in the sanctuary o...
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3. Design of the Epistle (compare Jude 20, 21).
**all diligence--**(2Pe 1:5). As the minister is to give all diligence to admonish, so the people should, in accordance with his admonition, give all diligence to have all Christian graces, and to make their calling sure.
**the common salvation--**wrought by Christ. Compare Note, see on 2Pe 1:1, "obtained LIKE precious faith," This community of f...
Read full commentary →And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
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KJV Study Commentary
The Son of Man with sharp sickle executing earth's harvest represents Christ's role as Judge executing final judgment. The sickle symbolizes separation—reaping wheat (believers) from tares (unbelievers) as taught in Matthew 13:39-43. The earth being 'reaped' indicates comprehensive judgment; none escape. Reformed theology emphasizes Christ as sovereign Judge, executing God's decree of eternal dest...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. certain men--**implying disparagement.
**crept in unawares--**stealthily and unlawfully. See on 2Pe 2:1, "privily shall bring in damnable heresies."
**before ... ordained--**Greek, "forewritten," namely, in Peter's prophecy Jude 17, 18; and in Paul's before that, 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 3:1; and by implication in the judgments which overtook the apostate angels. The disobedient Israelites, Sodom and...
Read full commentary →And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
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KJV Study Commentary
Another angel with a sharp sickle coming from the temple emphasizes that judgment originates from God's presence. The temple represents heaven's throne room where God dwells. This angel executes God's direct command, emphasizing judgment's divine authorization. The second harvest (grapes for winepress) represents wrath specifically, while the first harvest (grain) included both salvation and judgm...
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5. (He 3:16; 4:13.)
**therefore--**Other oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "But"; in contrast to the ungodly Jude 4.
**though ye once--**rather, "once for all." Translate, "I wish to remind you, as knowing ALL (namely, that I am referring to; so the oldest manuscripts, versions, and Fathers) once for all." As already they know all the facts once for all, he needs only to "remind" them.
**...
Read full commentary →And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
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KJV Study Commentary
The angel from the altar who has power over fire commanding the grape harvest connects judgment to prayers of martyred saints (6:9-11). The altar represents intercession; fire symbolizes both judgment and refining. This angel's authority over fire suggests he executes the judgment that answers martyrs' prayers for vindication. The command to 'gather the clusters of the vine' represents collecting ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **And another angel . . .**—Translate, *And another angel, . . . he who hath authority over the fire.* The two scenes—one in Revelation 6:9-10 (the souls crying beneath the altar), the other in Revelation 8:5 (the angel mingling incense with the prayers of the saints)—must be remembered. The angel who had charge of the altar fire, and flung the ashes betokening judgments towards the earth, ca...
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6. (2Pe 2:4.)
**kept not their first estate--**Vulgate translates, "their own principality," which the fact of angels being elsewhere called "principalities," favors: "their own" implies that, instead of being content with the dignity once for all assigned to them under the Son of God, they aspired higher. Alford thinks the narrative in Ge 6:2 is alluded to, not the fall of the devil and his ang...
Read full commentary →And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apoc...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19, 20) **And the angel . . .**—The vine (*i.e., *the vintage of the vine), when gathered, is cast into *the winepress of the wrath of God, the great *(*winepress*)*. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came forth blood out of the winepress as far as the bridles of the horses, from a thousand six hundred furlongs* (stadii). The outflow of the blood of the grapes pressed reac...
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**7. Even as--**Alford translates, "I wish to remind you (Jude 5) that."
**Sodom, &c.--**(2Pe 2:6).
**giving themselves over to fornication--**following fornication extraordinarily, that is, out of the order of nature. On "in like manner to them" (Greek), compare Note, see on Jude 6. Compare on spiritual fornication, "go a whoring from thee," Psa 73:27.
**going after strange flesh--**dep...
Read full commentary →And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of lamb and 144,000 - redeemed firstfruits, three angels' messages, harvest judgment employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Gree...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. also--**rather, "In like manner nevertheless" (notwithstanding these warning examples) [Alford].
**these ... dreamers--**The Greek has not "filthy" of English Version. The clause, "these men dreaming" (that is, in their dreams), belongs to all the verbs, "defile," "despise," and "speak evil." All sinners are spiritually asleep, and their carnal activity is as it were a dream (1Th 5:6, 7). T...
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