¶ And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
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Commentary for Revelation 22:4
Revelation 22:4 is part of the final chapter of the Book of Revelation, which is the last book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible. This book is attributed to John the Apostle and is a complex and symbolic work of apocalyptic literature, written during a time of persecution of early Christians, most likely in the late first century. The verse is situated within the vision of the New Jerusalem, the holy city descending from heaven, which represents the ultimate realization of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His promises.
The specific themes of Revelation 22:4 include the intimate relationship between God and His faithful followers. The phrase "they shall see his face" speaks to the hope and belief in the direct, unmediated presence of God, which is the ultimate reward for the righteous. In the ancient world, seeing the face of a king or deity was a profound privilege, often reserved for the most trusted and favored individuals. Here, it signifies the complete restoration of the divine-human relationship, marred by sin since the Fall in Genesis.
The second part of the verse, "his name [shall be] in their foreheads," alludes to the concept of belonging to God and being marked or sealed by Him. In the historical context, names carried significant meaning and power, often representing the essence and authority of the individual. To have God's name in one's forehead suggests a public, indelible identification with God, indicating ownership, protection, and allegiance. This mark was also a sign of being set apart, or holy, which would have resonated with the early Christian audience who often faced social ostracism and persecution for their faith.
In summary, Revelation 22:4 encapsulates the eschatological hopes of early Christians, emphasizing the promise of an unhindered relationship with God in the eternal realm, and the assurance of divine protection and identity for those who remain faithful. It serves as a source of comfort and encouragement, reminding believers of the ultimate victory of good over evil and the eternal life that awaits them.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G2532 There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: καί Transliteration: kaí Pronunciation: kahee Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G3700 There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὀπτάνομαι Transliteration: optánomai Pronunciation: op'-tom-ahee Description: a (middle voice) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) ; which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of ὁράω; to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from βλέπω, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from εἴδω, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while θεάομαι, and still more emphatically its intensive θεωρέω, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and σκοπέω a watching from a distance):--appear, look, see, shew self.
Strong's Number: G846 There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: αὐτός Transliteration: autós Pronunciation: ow-tos' Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G4383 There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πρόσωπον Transliteration: prósōpon Pronunciation: pros'-o-pon Description: from πρός and (the visage, from ὀπτάνομαι); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
Strong's Number: G3686 There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὄνομα Transliteration: ónoma Pronunciation: on'-om-ah Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
Strong's Number: G1909 There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐπί Transliteration: epí Pronunciation: ep-ee' Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G3359 There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: μέτωπον Transliteration: métōpon Pronunciation: met'-o-pon Description: from μετά and ops (the face); the forehead (as opposite the countenance):--forehead.