Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 7:12

Albert Barnes Commentary

Revelation 7:12

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Revelation 7:12

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." — Revelation 7:12 (ASV)

Verse 12: Saying, Amen. (See Barnes on Revelation 1:7).

The word Amen here is a word strongly affirming the truth of what is said, or expressing hearty assent to it. It may be uttered, as expressing this, either at the beginning or end of a sentence. Thus, wills are commonly commenced, "In the name of God, Amen."

Blessings and glory, etc. Substantially the same ascription of praise occurs in Revelation 5:12. (See Barnes on Revelation 5:12).

The general idea is that the highest kind of praise is to be ascribed to God; everything excellent in character is to be attributed to him; and every blessing that is received is to be traced to him. The order of the words indeed is changed, but the sense is substantially the same.

In the former case (Revelation 5:12), the ascription of praise is to the Lamb—the Son of God; here it is to God. In both instances, the worship is described as rendered in heaven, and the use of the language shows that God and the Lamb are regarded in heaven as entitled to equal praise. The only words found here that do not occur in Revelation 5:12 are thanksgiving and might—words that require no particular explanation.