Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 1:4

4 JOHN to the seven churches which are 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 :

Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist writes either to all the Churches of Asia under the Notion of seven, (which is the number of Perfection) or to those seven Churches mentioned, v. 11. Ephesus, Smy[illegible: 1 letter]na, Pergamus, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, (seven famous Places in Asia the less, where the Gospel was planted) which being the most famous Churches in that part of the World, Iohn is commanded to deposite this Prophecy in their Hands, by them to be communicated unto other Churches. These Churches were in the most famous Cities of the lesser Asia: some think Iohn was the Apostle that preached most in Asia, and founded these Churches; others, that tho they were founded by Peter and Pa[illegible: 1 letter]l ▪ yet after their Death Iohn took upon him the charge of them. It is the opinion of some learned Men, that the Apostle did not, in the Epistle to the Churches in Asia, design only to tell them of their Error, and prescribe to their Cure, but that in writing to them, he assigns both a Prophet[illegible: 1 letter]cal Instruction of us all concerning the State of the Church in all Periods from that time to the Day of Judgment, and also to reprove and counsel all present and succeeding Churches; but of this we may possibly speak more afterward.

Grace and Peace is the common Apostolical Salutation, as to the Sense of which, we have often spoke; the Apostle wisheth them the free Love of God ▪ that is, Grace, and the Seal of it, Rom. 5.1. Peace with God and their own Consciences, and each with other.

These words are a Description of God, particularly of Jesus Christ in his Eternity and Immutability. He was from Eternity; he is now, and he shall be for ever. Or, (as some) he was in his Promises before his Incarnation; he is now God manifested in the Flesh, and he is to come as a Iudge to judge the quick and the dead. This was an ancient Name of God, Exod. 3.14. I am that I am.—I am hath sent me unto you. These words interpret the Name Iehovah.

It is very difficult to determine what is meant by the seven Spirits here before the Throne, we read of them also, chap. 3.1. & 4.5. & 5.6. Christ is described▪ chap. 3.1. as having the seven Spirits of God. It is said, chap. 4.5. that the seven Lamps of Fire burning before the Throne, are the seven Spirits of God: and chap▪ 5.6. That the Lamb's seven Eyes, were the seven Spirits of God. This is all the Light we have from Scripture: Some think they are from Angels that are here meant. We read chap. 8.2. of seven Angels that stood before God; and in ch. 15.16.17. there is a like Mention of seven Angels; and Zech. 4.2, 10. Zechariah had a Vision of seven Lamps, and seven Pipes, which v. 10. are said to be the Eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the whole Earth. But Iohn saluting the Churches with Grace and Peace from these seven Spirits, and joining them with Christ, they do not seem to be Creatures, Angels, that are here meant, but such a Being from whom Grace and Peace cometh. Others therefore understand by them, the seven Workings of Divine Providence in his Managery of the Affairs of the World, with relation to the Church, of which we shall read after, but this also seems hard. The Sense seems to be, and from the Holy Ghost, who, tho but one spiritual Being, ye[illegible: 1 letter] exer[illegible: 2 letters]th his Influence many ways, and by various M[illegible: 1 letter]nifestations, called here seven Spirits, because all flow from the same Spirit. They are therefore called, ch. 4.5. burning Lamps. The Holy Ghost descending in the appearance of Fire, Acts 2. and being compared to Fire, Matth. 3.11. they are called the Lambs seven Eyes, and seven Hor[illegible: 2 letters], chap. 5.6. Christ had the Spirit without measure; and the Holy Spirit is oft called the Spirit of Christ. This seemeth the best Sense; the Reader may find the Objections to it answered in Mr. Pool's Synopsis Criticorum upon this Verse.

Marginal references: Joh. 1.1.