“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:”
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead — but he laid his right hand on me, saying, Do not be afraid — John's falling as dead before the transcendent vision follows the pattern of prophetic encounter (Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 10:9). The reassuring touch and command dissolve the fear, a pattern repeated throughout Revelation: the terrifying vision is accompanied by comfort for the faithful.
Church Fathers on Revelation 1:17
“And in His face was brightness as the sun.” That which He called brightness was the appearance of that in which He spoke to men face to face. But the glory of the sun is less than the glory of the Lord. Doubtless on account of its rising and setting, and rising again, that He was born and suffered and rose again, therefore the Scripture gave this similitude, likening His face to the glory of the sun. “And out of His mouth was issuing a sharp two-edged sword.” By the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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