953. Verse 16. I Jesus have sent My angel to testify unto you these things in the churches, signifies a testification from the Lord before the whole Christian world, that it is true that the Lord alone made manifest the things which are described in this book, as also the things which are now laid open. The reason why the Lord here names Himself "Jesus," is, that all in the Christian world may know that the Lord Himself, who was in the world, manifested the things which are described in this book, as also the things which are now laid open. By "sending an angel to testify," is signified testification from the Lord that it is true; an angel, indeed, did testify this, yet not from himself, but from the Lord, which appears clearly (in verse 20), from these words, "He who testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly;" the reason why it means a testification that it is true, is because "to testify" is said of the truth, since truth testifies of itself, and the Lord is the truth (n. 6, 16, 490). "To testify" not only signifies testification that it is true, that the Lord manifested to John the things which are described in this book, but also that He has now manifested what each and all the things therein signify; this is especially meant by "testifying," for it is said that "He testifies these things in the churches," that is, that the things are true which are contained in what was seen and described by John, for "to testify" is said of the truth, as before observed. By "unto you these things in the churches," is signified before the whole Christian world, for there the churches are, which are here meant.