Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter;
Write the things which thou hast seen,.... The Alexandrian copy and some others, and the Complutensian edition, read, "write therefore the things", &c. 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 Rev 1:12; for it does...
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (13) The sum of this prophecy, that the apostle must write whatever he sees, adding nothing, nor taking away anything .
This chapter concludes with a solemn charge given by our Saviour to St. John, to write and record the vision of the seven stars, and seven golden candlesticks, which he had newly seen; letting him into the mystery of both, by telling him, that the seven stars are seven angels; that is, signify seven angels; and the seven candlesticks are, that is, signify seven churches, and represent them.