Annotations Upon the New Testament, Revelation · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
Mihi tota Apocalypsis val è obscura vide tur, & talii, cujus explicatio citra periculum vix queat tentari. Fateor me hactenus in nullius Scripti Biblici lectione minus proficere, quam in hoc obscurissimo vaticinio. Graserus.DOmitian cast Iohn the Evangelist into a fornace of scalding oyle, but when he saw he came forth unhurt, he banished him into the Isle Pathmos, where he wrote this Revelation. Euseb. l. 3. c. 17.
Verbum ipsum foreign, id est, revelationis, propriè scripturarū est, & à nullo sapien…um saeculi apud Graecos usurpatum. Hieron. in cap. 1. Epist. ad Galat. Apocalypsis idem est quod Revelatio, quo nomine utitur Paulus, 1 Cor. 14. & Galat. RibetaIt is called according to the Greeke Apocalyps, and according to the Latine Revelation; That is, a discovery or manifestation of things which before were hidden and secret, for the common good of the Church. The subject of it is twofold, 1. The present estate of the Church. 2. The future state of it; the things which are, and which shall be hereafter. Rev. 1.19. Fata impii, & fata Ecclesiae, saith Mr Mede.
Iohn in all the Revelations made to him, joyneth thunder with the Revelation, as chap. 4.5. and 6.1. and 10.3. because Gods Revelations made to the people were usually with thunder, Psal. 81.7. Exod. 19.16.
Woman in this mysticall Booke signifies three things:
1. Idolls, 1. Because they are as entising and alluring as wanton women. 2. Idolaters go a whoring after them as uncleane persons after light women. ch. 14.4.
2. The City of Rome, the seat of Antichrist, ch. 17.3. 1. Because in her outward pompe and glory she is opposed to the Chast spouse of Christ, whose glory is all within.Dr. Tailor on Rev. 12. 2 Because with her the great Kings of the earth have committed fornication, ch. 17. verse 2. 3. Because she is the mother of fornications, called the great whore, verse 1. of that Chapter.
3. The true Church, the wife and spouse of Jesus Christ. So Rev. 12.1.
All the Judgements in this Book are still upon Rome, either Rome Pagan, or Rome Christian,Mr. Cotton upon the Vials. or Rome Antichristian; the one falls under the seven Seales, the other under the seven Trumpets, and the last under the seven Vialls.
The three first Chapters are most plaine of all other parts of this Book; the maine Contents of them are severall Epistles sent by Iohn to particular Churches.
First, Why to these?
1. Because the Gospell did heare eminently flowrish.
Mr Manton.2. Because Iohn was President over them.
Secondly, Why to the 7 Churches in Asia, since more were planted in that Country.
1. Because of the propheticall perfection of this number, with which the Spirit of God is much delighted in this Prophecie; seven Stars, seven Spirits, seven Candlesticks, seven Lampes, seven Seales, seven Angells.
2. Because in these seven Churches there was found enough to represent the graces and conditions of all other Churches.
3. These Epistles are directed to the severall Angells or Ministers of the Churches, either because they were notoriously guilty of the offences charged upon them, or because all the dispensations of Christ were to passe through their hands to the Church.
Ephesus was so named quasi foreign or foreign, signifying remission, or slacking,Languishing Ephesus. that they may be put in mind of slacking or backsliding, wherewith the Spirit upbraideth this Church, Cha. 2. ver. 4. Smyrna signifying lachrymam myrrhae, Smyrna was an old Town famous for one of the seven that claimed Homer the Poet to have been borne in them. These bee Smyrna, Phodos, Colophon, Salamis Chios, Argos, Athenae. Here Policarpus was Martyred. Broughtons Require of Consent. She is called sweet-smelling Smyrna, that is, Myrrhe, or she that is more delightfull, than any pleasant and sweet spices, as is evident by that, that he reproveth no fault in her. Brightman.the dropping or teares of myrrh, to put them in mind of the Cup of tears which this Angell was to drink, v. 10. Pergamus, quasi foreign, or foreign, signifying beyond, or out of the bonds of marriage, to put them in mind of the Nicolaitanes abounding in this Church which were great abusers of marriage. Sardis, quasi foreign, signifying fleshly, because many in this Church were fleshly given, Chap. 3. vers. 4. Philadelphia *Whether it was so called from Ptolomeus Philadelphus; so entitled for his love to his brother, or in mockage for killing of him; he loved him at the first, but after contempt of his love he killed him; or from Attalus Philadelphus, or were built by the first, and argumented by the second. Broughtons require of Consent.signifying brotherly love, to put them in mind of this vertue eminent in many of this Church, therefore the Spirit rebuketh her openly for nothing, Ch. 3. ver. 10. Laodicea, quasi *Whether it was so called from Ptolomeus Philadelphus; so entitled for his love to his brother, or in mockage for killing of him; he loved him at the first, but after contempt of his love he killed him; or from Attalus Philadelphus, or were built by the first, and argumented by the second. Broughtons require of Consent.foreign, the righteousnesse or customes of the people, to put them in mind of the condition of the common sort in this Church, who were well conceited of themselves, Ch. 3. vers. 17. Thyatira so called foreign, signifying to run mad after, and to spend ones selfe, because they ran a whoring after Jezebell, and spent their estates upon her, Chap. 2. vers. 20. Dr Featelie.
Vers. 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ] He doth not say, this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ; but after the manner of the Prophets, the vision of Esay, the word of the Lord which was to Hoseah, and after the manner of the Evangelists, the booke of the generation of Iesus Christ, Mat. 1. The beginning of the Gospell of Iesus Christ, Mark 1. which Ellipsis is elegant.
Vers. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that beare the words of this prophecie] Where have you a blessing so solemnly proclamed to the reading and hearing of any of the Books of God as to this Book? God would have us to enquire into these things though they seeme to be above us.Mr. Bur.
He changeth the number, he that readeth, and they that heare, because many more may heare than read,Alstedius. only the Learned can do this for the time] Or rather the opportunity of time, tempus praestitutum, Beza, the time appointed, viz. by God, and therefore opportune, is at hand.
Vers. 4. Which is, which was, and which is to come] In these words the Father is noted. To come.] That is, to judgement.Mr Perkins.
And from the seven Spirits] That is, from the Holy Ghost, who is exprest in the plurall number, not as though there were seven Holy Ghosts,Vide Bezam. but because of the plenty, perfection, and variety of his gratious operations and influences. The number seven is rather taken than any other number, because it is a number implying perfection, and because he wrote to seven Churches in Asia, In Asia] Minori scilicet quae est pars Asiae Mojoris. Ad has septem scripsit, quia in illis diu docueerat. Alstedius.and St. Iohn speaks here of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as he saw them in a vision, now he beheld the Holy Ghost in the forme of seven lights in a vision.
Vers 5. And from Iesus Christ] He doth not observe the order of nature, or of the persons, but of better Doctrine, for the fitter progresse of the history, for the Pen-men of the Scripture set them in the last place, of whom they meane to speake most, as Mat. 1. He describes Christ at large from this ver. 5. to ver. 9. Who is the faithfull witnesse] The Proph…ticall Office of Christ is intimated Esay 55.4. And the first begotten of the dead] Here is Christs second Office, his Priesthood, the principall actions whereof stand in dying and rising againe from the dead, and making intercession for us.
And the Prince of the kings of the earth] Here is the third title given to Christ, wherein his Kingly Office is expressed.
Vers. 9. And patience of Iesus Christ] Three things argued Christs patience, if we consider, 1. What he suffered, maledicta, malefacta, he dranke of the brooke in the way, Psal. 110. ult. 2. From whom, the vilest of men. 3. The freenesse and voluntarinesse of his sufferings: He suffered not out of infirmity, quia resistere non posuit, but out of obedience, quia pati voluit.
Euseb. l. 3. c. 21.Was in the Isle that is called Patmos] Banished thither by Domitian, Euseb. l. 3. ch. 18. from whence he returned in the daies of Nero, and dyed at Ephesus.
Vide Bezam. Bifield. So the Lords day, as the Sacrament is called the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11.20. and the solemne Prayer, the Lords Prayer.Vers. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day) Not by Creation, for so all daies are his, nor by destination, for that intendeth a time yet to come; and so the day of generall judgement is his, 1 Thes. 5.2. but by consecration, choice, and institution.
And heard behind me a great voice, as of a Trumpet] That is, full of Majesty and power,Mos Hebraeorum erat, ut cùm populus erat convocandus, ut rem magni momenti & omnibus utilem audiret, tuba ex edito loco personarent aut huccina, Hos. 5. & c. 8. Isay 58. Ribera. which also God added unto it to further attention in Iohn.
Vers. 13. Cloathed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle] Christ is here described in his Priestly Robes,Hic vestitus talaris est symbolum Sacerdotis, quia Sacerdotes V. T. ejusmodi vestibus induebantur. Geth. in loc. Vide Alstedium in loc. Cinctura est symbolum alacrita…is & promptitudinis in administrando Sacerdotio, in defendendis piis. Gerh. Iohn wrote the Revelation long after his ascension.
His girding about the pappes and breasts signifieth, that there is no defect or aberration in any motion or affection in our Saviour Christ, but every thought and inclination of his heart is kept in order by the fulnesse of the Spirit, Esay 11.5. Or it may shew his readinesse to help his people.
Vers. 16. And be bad in his right hand seven stars] 1. In regard of his disposition of Ministers here and there at his pleasure. 2. Of his protection of them in their labours.
Vers. 18. And have the keyes of hell and of death] The phrase seemes to be borrowed from great Commanders and Conquerours, who having won and entred any City, presently have the keyes delivered to them in token of that authority which of right belongeth to them;That is, power over hell and death, Claves sunt symbolum potestatis. Solent victori …radi Claves portarum urbis. Gerh. it shews that Christ vanquished hell and death, and obtained full power over them. Dr Taylor.
Vers. 20. The seven stars are the angells of the seven Churches] By the seven Angells to whom the seven Epistles are in generall directed, Alcazar saith, the Bishops are meant, Pererius with some other Ancients thinke rather the people.Ministers are called Angels, viz. such as by whom he revealeth his good pleasure unto us. Angeli, id est, episcopi; pastores dicuntur illi stellae, quia debent lucere, & praelucere aliis, sanā dactriná, & sancta vita. Idem sunt stellae in dextrâ Christi; quia ab illo defend untur adversum hosies. Alstedius in loc. St. Ambrose, Haymo, and Beda joyne both together, and this (saith Dr Prideaux) is the best approved of our reformed Interpreters, Foxe, Fulke, Bullenger; for though the Inscriptions be to the Angels only, that is, the Pastors of those Churches, yet the Contents concerne their flocks as neere as themselves, ch. 1. vers. 11.