"I John" signifies, doctrine concerning the Lord: " who also am your brother," signifies, and concerning the good of love to Him: "and companion in affliction," signifies the truth of faith infested by falsities; "in the kingdom," signifies, in the church where there are truths; "and in expectation of Jesus Christ," signifies, where there is the knowledge of the Divine in His Human: "was in the isle called Patmos," signifies, revelation to the Gentiles: "for the Word of God," signifies, that Divine truth may be received: "and for the testimony of Jesus Christ," signifies, and that the Divine Human of the Lord may be acknowledged.

"I was in the spirit," signifies, a spiritual state when there is revelation: on the Lord's day," signifies, Divine influx at the time: "and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet," signifies clear perception of Divine truth revealed from heaven.

"Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," signifies, who ruleth all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity: "what thou seest write in a book," signifies, that they may he revealed for posterity: "and send unto the churches which are in Asia," signifies, and then to all those who are in the light of intelligence: "unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea," signifies, in particular according to reception.