Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
A cloud
The expression occurs seven times in Revelation, and in all of them is connected with the Son of Man.
Rainbow
See on Rev 4:3.
Pillars of fire
Compare Rev 1:15.
In his hand (ἐν)
The roll of Rev 5:1-14 was on the hand (ἐπί, see Rev 5:1), being too large to be grasped within it. The roll was on the right hand; the little book is in the left. See on Rev 10:5.
Cried (ἔκραξεν)
See on Mar 5:5.
As when
The when of A.V. is unnecessary.
Roareth (μυκᾶται)
Only here in the New Testament. Peter uses ὠρύομαι for the voice of the lion. See on Pe1 5:8. The verb here is originally applied to the lowing of cattle, expressing the sound, moo-ka-omai. Both Aristophanes and Theocritus use it of the roar of the lion, and the former of thunder. Homer, of the ring of the shield and the hissing of meat on the spit.
Seven thunders
The Jews were accustomed to speak of thunder as "the seven voices." Compare the sevenfold "voice of the Lord," Psa 29:1-11.
As usual, interpretation has run wild as to the seven thunders. As a few illustrations may be cited: Vitringa, the seven crusades; Daubuz, the seven kingdoms which received the Reformation; Elliott, the bull fulminated against Luther from the seven-hilled city, etc.
To write
According to the injunction in Rev 1:11.
His hand
Add τὴν δεξιὰν the right, and see on Rev 10:2. On lifting the hand in swearing, see Gen 14:22; Exo 6:8 (margin); Deu 32:40.
Swear by (ὤμοσεν ἐν)
Lit., "swear in," a Hebrew idiom.
Should be time no longer (χρόνος οὐκ ἔσται ἔπι)
Rev., correctly, shall be, etc. The meaning is not, as popularly understood, that time shall cease to exist, but that there shall be no more delay (so Rev., in margin) before the fulfillment of the divine purposes respecting the Church on earth. Possibly with allusion to the cry how long (Rev 6:10).
Shall begin to sound ((μέλλῃ σαλπίζεν)
Wrong. Rev., correctly, when he is about to sound.
The mystery (τὸ μυστήριον)
See on Mat 13:11.
Declared (εὐηγγέλισεν)
The word used of declaring the good news of salvation. Here of declaring the mystery of the kingdom.
Spake unto me
Render, as Rev., "I heard it again speaking."
I went (ἀπῆλθον)
The preposition ἀπό has the force of away. I went away from the place where I was standing.
Eat it up