A commentary, or, An exposition with notes on the five first chapters of the Revelation of Jesvs Christ by Charles Phelpes.

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Author:	Phelpes, Charles.
Title:	A commentary, or, An exposition with notes on the five first chapters of the Revelation of Jesvs Christ by Charles Phelpes.
Print source:	A commentary, or, An exposition with notes on the five first chapters of the Revelation of Jesvs Christ by Charles Phelpes. Phelpes, Charles. London: Printed for Tho. Parkhurst ..., 1678.
Notes:	Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
Subject terms:	Bible. -- N.T. -- Revelation I-V -- Commentaries. Bible. -- N.T. -- Revelation I-V. English. 1678.
URL:	https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A54655.0001.001
How to cite:	For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

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To them that have heard Jesus in his Gospel, and know and believe that he is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the World.

AN EXPOSITION On the first CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION.

Chap. 1.

Verse 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his Servants things which must shortly come to pass: And he sent and sig∣nified it by his Angel unto his Servant John.

Verse 2. Who bare Witness of the Word of God, and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Verse 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophesie, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.]

Verse 4. John to the seven Churches in Asia; Grace be unto you and Peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven Spirits, which are before his Throne.]

Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the Dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth; unto him that loved us, and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood.]

Verse 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father; to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen.]

Verse 7. Behold he cometh with Clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of him; even so, Amen.

Verse 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.]

Verse. 9. I John who also am your Brother, and Companion in tribula∣tion, and in the kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ.]

Verse 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet.] In this Verse we have,

Verse 11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; And, what thou seest write in a Book and send it to the Se∣ven Churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.]

Verse 12. And I turned to see the Voice that spake with me; and be∣ing turned, I saw seven Golden Candlesticks.]

Vers. 13. And in the midst of the seven Candlesticks, one like unto the Son of Man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt a∣bout the Paps with a Golden girdle.]

Verse 14. His Head and his Hair were white like Wooll, as (white as) Snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire.]

Verse 15. And his Feet like unto fine Brass, as if they burned in a Furnace; and his Voice as the sound of many Waters.]

Verse 16. And he had in his right hand seven Stars; and out of his Mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword; and his Countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength.]

Vers. 17. And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead: and he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, fear not: I am the first and the last.]

Verse 18. I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore: Amen, and have the Keys of Hell and death.]

Verse 19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.]

Verse 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou •awest in my right hand, and the Seven Golden Candlesticks. The seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches: and the seven Can∣dlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches.]

AN EXPOSITION On the second CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION.

Verse 1. Ʋnto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write, these things saith he that holdeth the seven Stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks.]

Verse 2. I know thy Works, and thy Labour, and thy Patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and hast tried them which say th•y are Apostles and are not: and hast found them Liars.]

Verse. 3. And hast born, and hast patience, and for my name sake hast laboured and hast not fainted.] Here he goeth on still

Verse 4. Nevertheless I have (somewhat) against thee, because, or that, thou hast left thy first love.

Verse 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and Re∣pent, and do the first works: or else, I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, ex∣cept thou Repent.]

Verse 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolai∣tans, which I also hate.]

Verse 7. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God: or of my God]

Verse 8. And unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna, write: These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.]

Verse 9. I know thy works and Tribulation and Poverty, (but thou ar• rich:) And I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan.]

Verse 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.]

Verse 11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches: [see the notes before on v. 7.] he that over∣cometh [see notes on v. 7.] shall not be hurt of the second death.]

Verse 12. And unto the Angel of the Church in Pergamos write: [see the no before on v. 1.] these things saith he who hath the sharp sword with two edges. [See the notes before on ch. 1. v. 16.]

Verse. 13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, where Satan's seat, or throne is, and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain amongst you, where Satan dwelleth.]

Verse 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold (or hold fast as, v. 13.) the Doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the Children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to Idols, and to commit fornication.]

Verse 15. So hast thou them also that hold the Doctrine of Nicolaitans, which thing I hate▪]

Verse 16. Repent: or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the Sword of my mouth.]

Verse 17. He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: [see the notes before on v. 7.] To him that overcometh [see the notes before on v. 7. and on ch. 3. v. 5.] will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no Man knoweth saving he that re∣ceeiveth it.]

Verse 18. And unto the Angel of the Church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet (are) like fine brass.]

Verse 19. I know thy Works, and Charity and Service and Faith, and thy Patience, and thy Works, and the last more than the first.]

Verse 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, [see the notes before on v. 4. and on v. 14.] Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel which calleth her self a Pro∣phetess, to teach and to seduce my Servants, to commit forni∣cation and to eat things sacrificed to idols.]

Verse 21. And I gave her space to repent of her Fornication, and she repented not. Or, (as some Copies have it) She would not repent.]

Verse 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit A∣dultery with her into a great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.]

Verse 23. And I will kill her Children with death, and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you accor∣ing to your works.]

Verse 24, and Verse 25. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this Doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak: I will put upon you none other burden: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.]

Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the Nations.]

Verse 27. (And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers,) even as I received of my Father.]

Verse 28. And I will give him the Morning Star.]

verse 29

AN EXPOSITION On the Third CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION.

Verse 1. And unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write: These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven Stars, I know thy Works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead.]

Verse 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are rea∣dy to dye; for I have not found thy works perfect before God.]

Verse 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.]

Verse 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.]

Verse 5. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment: And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angels.]

verse 6

Verse 7. And unto the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the keys of David, he that openeth and no Man shutteth, and shutteth and no Man openeth.]

Verse 8. I know thy works: Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no Man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.]

Verse 9. Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lye: Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet, and to know that I have loved thee.]

Verse 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the World, to try them that dwell upon the earth.]

Verse 11. Behold I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no Man take thy crown.]

Verse 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Hea∣ven from my God: and (I will write upon him) my new name.]

verse 14

Verse 13. And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write: [see the notes before on ch. 2. v. 1.] These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the begininng of the creation of God.]

Verse 15. I know thy works [see notes on chap. 2. verse 1.] that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot.]

Verse 16. So then, because thou art Lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.]

Verse 17. Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretch∣ed and miserable (or pitous) and poor and blind and naked.]

Verse 18. I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tried in the Fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be cloathed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine Eyes with Eye-salve, that thou mayest see.]

Verse 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: Be zealous there∣fore and repent.]

Verse 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any Man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.]

Verse 21. To •im that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.]

verse 22

AN EXPOSITION On the Fourth CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION.

Chap. 4. Verse 1. After this, I looked, and behold a door was opened in Heaven, and the first voice which I heard, was as it were, of a trumpet talking with me, which said, come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Vers. 2. And immediately I was in the spirit, and behold a thron• was set in heaven, and (one) sate upon it.]

Vers. 3. And he that sate was to look upon like a Jasper, and a Sardine stone; and there was a Rain-bow round about the Throne in sight like unto an Emerald.]

Vers. 4. And round about the Throne were four and twenty seats or Thrones; and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Ver. 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices: And there was seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

Ver. 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto cry∣stal. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.]

Ver. 7. And the first living creature was like a lyon, and the second li∣ving creature like a calf, and the third living creature had a face as a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying Eagle.]

Ver. 8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings a∣bout him, and they were full of eyes within; and they rest not, or have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Al∣mighty, which was, and is, and is to come.]

Verse 9. And when those living creatures give (or shall give) glory, and honour, and th•nks to him that sate on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.

Vers. 10. The four and twenty Elders fall (or shall fall) down before him that sate on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying.

Verse 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created.

REVEL. Chap. V. verse 1.

Vers. 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sate on the Throne a Book written within, and on the back-side sealed with seven Seals.

Verse 2. And I saw a strong Angel, proclaiming with a loud voice who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof?]

Verse 3. And no man (or not one) in Heaven, nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon.]

Ver. 4. And I wept much, because none was found worthy to open and to read the Book, neither to look thereon.]

Verse 6. And I beheld, and lo in the midst of the Throne, and of the four living Creatures, and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as if it had been sla•n, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Verse 7. And he came and took the Book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne.]

Verse 8. And when he had taken the Book, the four living Crea∣tures, and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb, ha∣ving every one of them Harps, and golden Vials, full of Odours, or Incense, which are the Prayers of Saints.]

Vers. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation.

Vers. 10. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth.

Verse 11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the living Creatures and the Elders: And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.]

Verse 12. Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Verse 13. And every Creature, which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, and under the Earth, and such as are in the Sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, (be) unto him that sit∣teth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.]

Verse 14. And the four living Creatures said Amen: And the twenty four Elders fell down and worshipped him that li∣veth for ever and ever.]