Revelation 1:11

“Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, etc.] These characters, which are repeated here, (see Gill on “<660108>Revelation 1:8”); are left out in the Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions; but are very fitly retained, to point out the person that speaks; to express his dignity, deity, and eternity; to excite the attention of John, and to give weight to what he said: and, what thou seest, write in a book; that it might remain, and be read of all men, and be profitable to the churches in the then present age, and in all future ones: and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; from whence it appears, that not only…”

“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and--The oldest manuscripts, omit all this clause. write in a book--To this book, having such an origin, and to the other books of Holy Scripture, who is there that gives the weight which their importance demands, preferring them to the many books of the world? [BENGEL]. seven churches--As there were many other churches in Proconsular Asia (for example, Miletus, Magnesia, Tralles), besides the seven specified, doubtless the number seven is fixed upon because of its mystical signification, expressing totality and universality. The words, "which are in Asia" are rejected by the oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, CYPRIAN, Vulgate, and Syriac; Coptic alone…”

“Saying - That is, literally, “the trumpet saying.” It was, however, manifestly the voice that addressed these words to John, though they seemed to come through a trumpet, and hence the trumpet is represented as uttering them. I am Alpha and Omega - Revelation 1:8. The first and the last - An explanation of the terms Alpha and Omega. See the notes on Revelation 1:8. And, What thou seest - The voice, in addition to the declaration, “I am Alpha and Omega,” gave this direction that he should record what he saw. The phrase, “what thou seest,” refers to what would pass before him in vision, what he there saw, and what he would see in the extraordinary manifestations which were to be made to him.…”

“Saying, What thou seest - And hearest. He both saw and heard. This command extends to the whole book. All the books of the New Testament were written by the will of God; but none were so expressly commanded to be written. In a book - So all the Revelation is but one book: nor did the letter to the angel of each church belong to him or his church only; but the whole book was sent to them all. To the churches - Hereafter named; and through them to all churches, in all ages and nations. To Ephesus - Mr. Thomas Smith, who in the year 1671 travelled through all these cities, observes, that from Ephesus to Smyrna is forty - six English miles; from Smyrna to Pergamos, sixty - four; from Pergamos to…”

“1:11 Write . . . and send: God authorized John as a prophet and herald of his revelation (see 22:8, 10; cp. Isa 6:8-9; Jer 2:1-2; Ezek 2:1-3; 34:1-2).”

“I am: Rev 1:8, Rev 1:17 What: Rev 1:19, Rev 2:1, Rev 10:4, Rev 14:13, Rev 19:9, Rev 21:5; Deu 31:19; Isa 30:8; Jer 30:2; Hab 2:2 seven: Rev 1:4, Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14 Ephesus: Act 18:19-21, Act 18:24, 19:1-41, Act 20:17; Co1 15:32, Co1 16:8; Eph 1:1; Ti1 1:3 Laodicea: Col 4:15, Col 4:16 Revelation 1:12”