And | was dead (kai éyevdunv vexpds). Strictly, I became. So Rev., in margin. Compare Philip. ii. 8, “decame obedient unto death.”
For evermore. See on ver. 6, Amen. Omit.
The keys of Hell and Death. Rev., correctly, of Death and of Hades. Conceived as a prison-house or a walled city. See on Matt. xvi. 18. The keys are the symbol of authority. See Matt. xvi. 19; Apoe. iii. 7; ix. 1; xx. 1. The Rabbinical proverb said: “There are four keys lodged in God’s hand, which He committeth neither to angel nor to seraph: the key of the rain, the key of food, the key of the tombs, and the key of a barren woman.”
19. Write. See on ver. 11. Add therefore.
The things which are (4 eiow). Some render, what they are ; v.¢., what they signify; but the reference of werd tadTa after these, hereafter to & eiow which are, seems to be decisive in favor of the former rendering, which besides is the more natural.
Shall be (wérre yiveo9ar). Not the future of the verb to be, but are about (uérrev) to come to pass (yiverSar). Compare ver. 1, “must come to pass.” Here the thought is not the prophetic necessity, but the seguence of events.
20. Mystery (uvornpiov). See on Matt. xiii. 11. Depend- ing in construction upon the verb write, and in apposition with the things which thou sawest.
Stars. Symbols of pre-eminence and authority. See Num. xxiv. 17; Dan. xii. 3. False teachers are wandering stars (Jude 13). Compare Isa. xiv. 12.
Angels (dyyedor). The exact meaning of the term here is uncertain. The following are the principal interpretations: Vou, I.—28