Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 1,2,3
CHAPTER 1. 2. 3.
THis Booke is the third part of the Euangelike Story, and hath the condition of the Church, from the Aopſtolike times, till the finiſhing of the myſtery. It is for the moſt part Propheticall, and accordingly, vttered in a ſtile agreeable to the maieſty of ſo high myſteries, which were reuealed to the beloued diſciple, and in goodly and conuenient types, in one continuall trance exhibited: with commandement of ſending a writen record thereof to the ſeuen. Churches of Aſia, and vnderunder their names, the whole militant.
2 Of this it is, that beſides the inſcription, in the firſt three verſes, the whole is an Epiſtle: whereof, the ſalutation is to the 9. of the firſt Chapter. The valediction in the laſt verſe of all. The reſt is a narration of things heard and ſcene, to the 6. of the laſt Chapt. Whence is the generall concluſion.
3 Theſe things, for their diſtinct time, end, and maner of reuelation, are two, and accordingly, the parts of narration. The firſt, is of things which are, and which ſhall come heereafter, that is, which both, in propriety of Chap. 1. 19.ſtory, then were exiſtent, according to the conſtitution of theſe ſeuen Churches trewlie expreſſed, and for their particular inſtruction: and yet ſo, as the things to come are therein alſo reuealed, for that the promiſes or threatnings, to, and againſt each, according to the good or euill, praiſed or taxed in them, are future: and for that, in theſe ſeuen Churches, the holy Ghoſt hath, in great depth of wiſdome, ſo liuely paterned the diuers caſes that may befall, as none euer hath beene, or in any age ſhall bee, which in one of theſe, as in a liuely example, may not clearely read her owne cauſe, and learne wiſdome. Wherethrough it is, that this firſt part of narration, in the firſt three Chapters, for end and manner of reuelation, differeth from the ſecond, in that, albeit in ſome reſpect, the firſt be of things to come, and for inſtruction of the whole Church, yet it is properly, of things then exiſtent, and firſt, for the vſe of particular Churches: whereas the ſecond thorow the reſt of the booke, is only, of things which muſt bee done heereafter; and whoſe vſe, is firſt and properly, for the whole militant Church, and therefore, to the perception thereof, Iohn behooued to goe vp to heauen, Chap. 4.
4 Before the firſt part is a goodly and glorious viſion of Chriſt, not acording to the proper verity of his perſon, but according to his preſence and operation in, and towards his Church, and in ſpeciall regard of theſe ſeuen of Aſia: and therefore, commonly concerneth them all, as we ſee that from it are taken theſe properties and attributes which are fit to expreſſe his particular diſpenſation towards each, and ſeuerally applied, as in them he worketh.
5 The Church of Epheſus, is commended, in that ſhee hath ſuch a preſence of Chriſt, ſo painefull, powerfull, zealous, watchfull, patient, and conſtant a miniſtry, that albeit the myſtery of iniquity was working, and falſe teachers were buſie to aduance it, yet they were ſo watchfully marked, and mightely reſiſted, that errour was borne downe, and truth helde place: but ſo, as at length, through falling from the firſt louelove, a ſtep was made to Apoſtaſie. And therefore ſhe is warned to repent and doe the firſt workes vnderunder paine of remoouing the Candleſticke.
6 In the Church of Smyrna, errour and lies did ſo farre preuaile as heretikes durſt blaſt of the name of the true Church, and depiſe the pouerty and abiect ſtate of true profeſſors, yea cruelly perſecute and blaſpheme the way of truth.
7 Pergamus is praiſed, that, albeit, ſhee dwelled where Satan his throne was: yet ſhe kept God his name, but hauing this note of weakenes, that albeit they kept themſelues pure, yet Idolatry and ſpirituall fornication was tollerated by them, euen the doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaus Againſt them and their followers, the Lord fighteth with the ſword of his mouth.
8 Thyatira is praiſed for her workes and louelove, and ſeruice, and faith and patience, and that her workes are more at the laſt then at the firſt. But hath this note of infirmity, that albeit ſhe dranke not of Iezabel her cup, nor committed fornication with her, yea and was waxing in louelove and workes thereof, yet ſhee had not either the knowledge or the courage to challenge her whoredome as ſhee ought, but euen tolerated, that Whore, whom God will caſt into the lake of fire and brimſtone, euen the bed of torment, as alſo hee threatneth that hee will caſt into great affliction that commit fornication with her, except they repent, and kill her children with death.
9 In the Church of Sardis, if they could remember what they hauehave receiued and heard, they were happy: but vponupon defect hereof they are taxed, that hauing a name that they liue they are dead, & that their works are not perfect in Chriſt his ſight: Howſoeuer among them God hath his number, whoſe hearts and liues are anſwerable to their profeſſion. To whom is promiſed that they ſhall walke with Chriſt in white. And the reſt are warned to repent and watch; leaſt he come vponupon them in an howre that they know not,
10 Philadelphia hath an open dore ſet before her, into which to enter for any humane aide, ſhee is of little ſtrength, but what Chriſt openeth, none ſhal be able to ſhut; and what he ſhutteth, none ſhall be able to open: ſo that at the feet of this Church, notwithſtanding her little ſtrength, yet the enemies, are faine to bow and giuegive their names. And hereupon ſhee hath the promiſe to be eſtabliſhed as a pillar, not to goe out any more, and that on her Chriſt will write his name, &c. So as to hauehave this honour permanent to bee Chriſt his true Church, that new Ieruſalem from heauen, which ſhall neuer be moued.
11 In Laodicea they thinke themſelues ſo ſetled, gifted, and ſtrengthned as they become ſecure and vainely preſumptuous. This bringeth in a cold indifferency, in matters of God his worſhip, men becōming Luke warme and neither cold nor hot, the very next ſexe to plaine Atheiſme. Chriſt, for ſoueraigne medicine againſt this euill, calleth vp to his true riches, wiſdome, banquet, and hope of his throne whereto we attaine by fighting and ouercomming, as did our Head.