Revelation 1:19

“Write the things which thou hast seen, etc.] The Alexandrian copy and some others, and the Complutensian edition, read, “write therefore the things”, etc. meaning what he had now seen, the vision of one like to the son of man, amidst the golden candlesticks, with seven stars in his right hand, and as above described; this was what he had seen (<660112>Revelation 1:12,13,16); for it does not refer to what he had seen of Christ in the days of his flesh, but to what he had now seen in this representation of him: and the things which are; the state of the churches of Christ in the apostolic age, and at that time signified by the Ephesian church, and that part of the Smyrnean which John lived to…”

“The oldest manuscripts read, "Write therefore" (inasmuch as I, "the First and Last," have the keys of death, and vouchsafe to thee this vision for the comfort and warning of the Church). things which are--"the things which thou hast seen" are those narrated in this chapter (compare Rev 1:11). "The things which are" imply the present state of things in the churches when John was writing, as represented in the second and third chapters. "The things which shall be hereafter," the things symbolically represented concerning the future history of the fourth through twenty-second chapters. ALFORD translates, "What things they signify"; but the antithesis of the next clause forbids this, "the things…”

“Write the things which thou hast seen - An account of the vision which thou hast had, Revelation 1:10-18. And the things which are - Give an account of those things which thou hast seen as designed to represent the condition of the seven churches. He had seen not only the Saviour, but he had seen seven lampstands, and seven stars in the hand of the Saviour, and he is now commanded to record the meaning of these symbols as referring to things then actually existing in the seven churches. This interpretation is demanded by Revelation 1:20. And the things which shall be hereafter - The Greek phrase rendered “hereafter” - μετὰ ταῦτα meta tauta - means “after these things”; that is, he was to…”

“Write the things which thou hast seen - This day: which accordingly are written, Rev 1:11-18. And which are - The instructions relating to the present state of the seven churches. These are written, Rev. 1:20-3:22. And which shall be hereafter - To the end of the world; written, Rev. 4:1, &c. Revelation 1:20”

“1:19 Write: In the vision, God gives instructions for what John is to do on his behalf (see Isa 6:9-10). This vision’s purpose is to help the church (Rev 1:20) understand the present and the future from God’s perspective.”

“the things: Rev 1:11, Rev 1:12-20 and the things which are: Rev. 2:1-3:22 and the things which shall be: Rev. 4:1-22:21 Revelation 1:20”