REVEL. CHAP. I, II, III.
THe three first Chapters referre to that present time when Iohn wrote: and they contain the story of his obtaining this Revelation, and of the condi∣tion of the seven Churches of Asia at that time: declared in the Epistles directed to them.
Iohn travelling in the Ministry of the Gospel up and down from Asia Westward, cometh into the Ile Patmos, in the Icarian sea [Vid. Strab. lib. 10.] an Iland about thirty miles compasse [Plin. lib. 4. cap. 12.] and there on the Lords day he hath these visions, and an Angel interprets to him all he saw.
He seeth Christ clothed like a Priest, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ver. 13. [See the LXX in Exod. 28.4.] and girded over the paps, as the Priests used to be, with the curious girdle. His appearance full of Majesty and gloriousnesse, described in the terms of Daniel, Chap. 7.9. & 10.5, 6. Amongst other his Divine title, he is called Alpha and Omega, terms ordinarily used by the Jews [only uttered in their Hebrew tongue] to to signifie the beginning and the end, or the first and the last. Midr. Tillin. fol. 47.2. Abraham and Sarah performed all the Law from Aleph to Tau. Marg. tripl. targ in Deut. 18.13. He that walks in integrity is as if he performed all the Law from Aleph to Tau.
He directs Epistles to be sent to the seven Churches of Asia: who are golden Can∣dlesticks though very full of corruptions [it is not a small thing that unchurches a Church] and inscribed to the Angels of the Churches: This phrase translates 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sheliahh Tsibbor, the title of the Minister in every Synagogue, who took care for the publick reading and expounding of the Law and Prophets: And these Epistles are sent accordingly to the Ministers of the severall Churches, that they might be read openly in their Congregations.
There are seven severall Epistles to the severall Churches, dictated immediatly and sent by Christ, and another generall one from Iohn to them all, in which he shews the warrant and way of writing those seven.
He terms the holy Ghost, the seven Spirits, according to the Jews common speech, who from Isa. 11.2. speak much of the seven Spirits of Messias: and speaking of Christs coming with clouds, Chap 1.7. from Dan. 7.13. and from the words of Christ himself, Matth. 24.30. He at once teacheth that he takes at Daniel, and speaks of Christs coming and reigning, when the four Monarchies were destroyed, and especially referreth to the first most visible evidence of his power and domi∣nion, in coming to destroy his enemies the Jewish Nation, and their City. And here is one reason that induceth me to suppose this Book written, before that City was destroyed.
Coming to reade the present condition of these Asian Churches in the Epistles written to them, we may pertinently think of that saying of Paul, 2 Tim. 1.15. This thou knowest that all they that are in Asia are turned from me: A great Apo∣stacy: of which there is too much evidence in these Churches, as also mention of some sad fruits of it, and means and instruments inducing to it. As 1. un∣beleeving Jews which the holy Ghost all along cals A Synagogue of Satan: with these the Church of Smyrna was pestered, and more especially Pergamus, where their mischievousnesse is stiled the very throne or seat of Satan: and where they had murdered Antipas a faithfull Martyr already. 2. False Apostles and sedu∣cers: some that pretended Apostolick power and commission, and it may be co∣loured their pretences with Magicall wonders, that they might act more Apostle-like.