13. I know thy works--Two oldest manuscripts omit this clause;
one oldest manuscript retains it.
Satan's seat--rather as the Greek is translated all
through Revelation, "throne." Satan, in impious mimicry of God's
heavenly throne, sets up his earthly throne
(Re 4:2).
Æsculapius was worshipped there under the serpent form; and
Satan, the old serpent, as the instigator (compare
Re 2:10)
of fanatical devotees of Æsculapius, and, through them, of the
supreme magistracy at Pergamos, persecuted one of the Lord's people
(Antipas) even to death. Thus, this address is an anticipatory preface
to
Re 12:1-17;
Note: "throne . . . the dragon, Satan
. . . war with her seed,"
Re 12:5, 9, 17.
even in those days--Two oldest manuscripts omit "even"; two
retain it.
wherein--Two oldest manuscripts omit this (then translate, "in
the days of Antipas, My faithful witness," or "martyr"); two retain it.
Two oldest manuscripts read, "My witness, MY faithful one"; two read as
English Version. Antipas is another form for Antipater. SIMEON METAPHRASTES has a palpably
legendary story, unknown to the early Fathers, that Antipas, in
Domitian's reign, was shut up in a red-hot brazen bull, and ended his
life in thanksgivings and prayers. HENGSTENBERG
makes the name, like other apocalyptic names, symbolical, meaning one
standing out "against all" for Christ's sake.
JFB.
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