Revelation 1:17

As dead. The first effect upon those accorded a vision of a divine being panoplied with the glory of heaven, was to deprive them of their usual physical strength (see Eze. 1:28; Eze. 3:23; Dan. 8:17; Dan. 10:7–10; Acts 9:4; cf. Isa. 1:5). Compare the experience of Daniel (see on ch. 10:7–10). The person so honored was completely overcome by a sense of his own weakness and unworthiness. For a discussion of the physical state of a prophet in vision see F. D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, pp. 51–61. For instances of John’s emotional responses to what he saw in vision see Rev. 5:4; Rev. 17:6. For two instances when John fell at the feet of an angel in worship see chs. 19:10; 22:8.

Fear not. Following the loss of natural strength, a prophet was supernaturally strengthened, usually by a touch of the hand (see Eze. 2:1, 2; 3:24; Dan. 8:18; 10:8–12, 19; cf. Isa. 6:6, 7). Often a celestial visitant uttered the command, “Fear not,” to allay the fears that naturally well in the human heart when confronted by such a being (see Judges 6:22, 23; Judges 13:20–22; Matt. 28:5; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10).

The first and the last. See on v. 8. The expression here used is apparently quoted from Isa. 44:6, and is a direct translation of the Hebrew text and not a quotation from the LXX as in v. 8.