Rev 4:1 | JFB | STEP | 1. After this — Greek, "After these things," marking the opening of the next vision in the succession. Here is the transition from "the things which are" ( ), the existing state of the seven churches, as a type of the Church in general, in John's time, to "the things which shall be hereafter," namely, in relation to the time when John wrote. I looked —rather as Greek, "I saw" in vision; not as English Version means, I directed my look that way. was —Omit, as not being in the Greek. opened —"standing open"; not as though John saw it in the act of being opened. Compare . But in those visions the heavens opened, disclosing the visions to those below on earth. Whereas here, heaven, the temple of God, remains closed to those on earth, but John is transported in vision through an open door up into heaven, whence he can see things passing on earth or in heaven, according as the scenes of the several visions require. the first voice which I heard —the voice which I heard at first, namely, in ; the former voice. was as it were —Omit was, it not being in the Greek. "Behold" governs in sense both "a door," &c., and "the first voice," &c. Come up hither —through the "open door." be —come to pass. hereafter — Greek, "after these things": after the present time ( ).

Revelation of John 4:1

1. After this—Greek, "After these things," marking the opening of the next vision in the succession. Here is the transition from "the things which are" (Re 1:19), the existing state of the seven churches, as a type of the Church in general, in John's time, to "the things which shall be hereafter," namely, in relation to the time when John wrote.

I looked—rather as Greek, "I saw" in vision; not as English Version means, I directed my look that way.

was—Omit, as not being in the Greek.

opened—"standing open"; not as though John saw it in the act of being opened. Compare Eze 1:1; Mt 3:16; Ac 7:56; 10:11. But in those visions the heavens opened, disclosing the visions to those below on earth. Whereas here, heaven, the temple of God, remains closed to those on earth, but John is transported in vision through an open door up into heaven, whence he can see things passing on earth or in heaven, according as the scenes of the several visions require.

the first voice which I heard—the voice which I heard at first, namely, in Re 1:10; the former voice.

was as it were—Omit was, it not being in the Greek. "Behold" governs in sense both "a door," &c., and "the first voice," &c.

Come up hither—through the "open door."

be—come to pass.

hereafter—Greek, "after these things": after the present time (Re 1:19).