Verse 17:[1] And (Ezek. 1:28) when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And (Dan. 8:18; 10:10) he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; (Is. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 2:8; 22:13; 1:11) I am the first and the last…
[I fell, etc.] Because of fear (Grotius, thus Menochius, Piscator), as in Joshua 5:14 (Grotius); Daniel 8:17; 10:8, 9 (Grotius, Cluverus). See also Matthew 17:6 (Grotius). This is the weakness of human nature (Cluverus), rising from the sense partly of that immense difference, and partly of the enmity, between God and men (Durham).
I fell at his feet as dead; astonished at the majesty and glory of the appearance: see Joshua 5:14; Daniel 8:17, 18; Matthew 17:6; Acts 9:4.
[He placed His right hand, etc.] That is, to console and strengthen me (Piscator, similarly Cluverus, Durham), and so that He might ordain me to the Prophetic office (Cluverus). With this gesture and word simultaneously He raised me up, as the Angel raised Daniel up in Daniel 8:18; 10:10, 11 (Grotius).
And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; to comfort me, and let me know, that I had no reason to be afraid, he would do me no harm.
[I am the first (that is, the Creator of all things [Menochius, thus Tirinus, Ribera], the highest with respect to dignity, with a power very much greater than any previously: Concerning this signification of the word πρῶτος/first, see on John 1:15[2] [Grotius]) and the last] That is, the end of all things (Menochius), and the consummator (Tirinus), and the future judge (Ribera): or, the most despised of men, Isaiah 53:3, seized, mocked, beaten, lashed with whips, sentenced to punishment, even that of slaves (Grotius).
I am the first and the last: see Revelation 1:8, 11.
[1] Greek: καὶ ὅτε εἶδον αὐτόν, ἔπεσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὡς νεκρός· καὶ ἐπέθηκε τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ χεῖρα ἐπ᾽ ἐμέ, λέγων μοι, Μὴ φοβοῦ· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος.
[2] John 1:15b: “…This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before (πρῶτός/preceding) me.”
Dr. Dilday's Sermon: "Fearing, Fear Not"
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1210216196
1) Introduction
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) John’s reaction
c) Christ’s condescension
i) Words of comfort
ii) Words of instruction
3) Meditation
Thomas Boston's "Infallible Antidotes against Unbelieving Fears" (a sermon on Revelation 1:17, 18": 'Revelation 1:17, 18.—Fear not: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Today is the feast of the Christian passover. A communion table is about to be covered. The great end of persons sitting down at that table is, that they may suck the breasts of consolation, and drink abundantly of that blood which flows from the pierced side of a crucified Saviour. Some feed at this table without fear. Others fear so much that they cannot feed. To such poor trembling souls our text speaks good and comfortable words:…
Robert Hawker's Poor Man's Portion: '"Fear not: I have the keys of hell and of death."—Revelation 1:17, 18
Is it Jesus, all precious, all lovely, all powerful Jesus, that saith this? He who hath redeemed my soul from hell, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling? And hath Jesus, my Husband, my Brother, my Redeemer, the keys both of hell and of death? Why then it is impossible for any to open death's door one moment before that he gives the appointment. And doth he command me to fear not? Oh then, my soul, dismiss all anxiety about thy departure. Thy time is in Jesus's hands; the keys are hanging at thy Redeemer's girdle. Never fear, neither to…
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): 'The impression this appearance of Christ made upon the apostle John (Revelation 1:17): He fell at the feet of Christ as dead; he was overpowered with the greatness of the lustre and glory in which Christ appeared, though he had been so familiar with him before. How well is it for us that God speaks to us by men like ourselves, whose terrors shall not make us afraid, for none can see the face of God and live!...
The condescending goodness of the Lord Jesus to his disciple: He laid his hand upon him, Revelation 1:17. He raised him up; he did not plead against him with his great power, but he put strength into…