Revelation 1

Revelation 1:1

WHich God] namely, the Father: See how this ought to be understood, Iohn 3. 32. and 8. 26. and 12. 49.

Revelation 1:2

Bare record] by his preaching as he was an Apostle, see Luke 24:48. Acts 1. 8. and 26. 16 Of the testimonie] namely, of what Christ himself hath declared in the behalf of his Father, see 1 Corinthians 1:6.

Revelation 1:3

And keep] namely, in their minde and memory to compare the events therewith, and by this means be confirmed in the faith, and defended against all scandals and temptations The time] namely, of the accomplishment of these things.

Revelation 1:4

Asia] namely, the lesser, called in these dayes, Natolia From him] namely, from God the Father, whose eternity is described by these three times, according to the capacity of humane apprehension From the seven] namely, from the holy Ghost, whose power is most perfect (the number of seven in the Scripture intimating perfection) and whose operations are very divers, Isai. 11. 2. and Zech. 3. 9. and 4. 10 Rom. 4. 5. and 5. 6.

Revelation 1:6

Dominion] or power, 1 Timothy 6:16.

Revelation 1:7

Even so, Amen] that is to say, It shall certainly be so, or so be it.

Revelation 1:8

Alpha] names of the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet for to signifie the indeterminable eternity of the Sonne of God, equall with the Father in essence and glory, vers. 4.

Revelation 1:9

Patience] the Italian, sufferance; which he commands and brings forth in those who are his, by his Spirit to his own likenesse, see 2 Cor. 15. Others, in the patient expecting of Christ Patmos] an Iland in the Archipelag, in these dayes by some called Palmosa, into which Saint John was conined by Domitian the Emperour for the Gospel and the preaching thereof.

Revelation 1:10

In the Spirit] that is to say, In an extasie and rapture of minde, in which all the senses were suspended and bound up by a supernaturall power, and the understanding fixed and raised up to the contemplation of divine objects represented in the vision, see Ezech. 11. 24. On the Lords day] the Italian; that is to say, The day of the Lord: So was the first day of the week called even from the Apostles time, because that day the Lord was risen; whereupon it was consecrated to exercises of piety in stead of the Sabbath, see Acts 20:7. 1 Corinthians 16:2.

Revelation 1:12

I turned] namely, in vision The voyce] namely, him from whom it proceeded.

Revelation 1:13

Unto the Sonne, the Italian, unto a Sonne] that is to say, unto a man, Dan. 7. 13. and 10. 1 Revel. 14. 14. and was Christ himself, Revel. 2. 18. who in vision shewed to Saint Iohn a likenesse of his humanity which is resident in Heaven.

Revelation 1:15

His feet] see the explication of this upon Son 5:15. Ezech. 1. 7. Daniel 10:6. Fine brasse] the Italian, Calcolibano; that is to say, a kinde of most fine and bright brasse, see Ezech.1. 4.

Revelation 1:16

Sword] a figure of the most effectuall and penetrant power of Gods word in the destroying of his enemies, and overcomming the world.

Revelation 1:18

Amen] that is to say, This is an everlasting truth, which every one ought to acknowledge and worship The keyes] namely; the absolute power over these things, to condemn unto them, and to free from them at my pleasure.

Revelation 1:20

Are] that is to say, do signifie and represent The Angels] that is to say, the Bishops, or the chiefe ministers honoured sometimes in Scripture with this title, by reason of the resemblance of theirs and the Angels office concerning beleevers salvations, see Ecclesiastes 5:6. Malachi 3:1. The seven] by which are meant the particular Churches, because the Lord hath set in them the gift of his Spirit which is in stead of oil, and faith, which is in stead of fire, to carry and hold up before all men the lamp of truth and knowledge of God, and make it to shine before the eyes of the world by works, see Zechariah 4:1-14. 〈◊〉. Matth. 5. 15. Philip. 2. 15.