Apringius of Beja — on Rev 1:4 (TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 1:4)

“What is the importance of the people of Asia that they alone deserve to receive the apostolic revelation? However, there is a mystery in the number and a sacrament in the name of the province. First, let us discuss the meaning of the number, because both the number six and the number seven are always used in the law with a mystical meaning: "For God made heaven and earth in six days," and "on the seventh day he rested from his works" and "on it," it says, "they shall enter again into my rest." The number seven, therefore, signifies the period of the present life, so that the apostle is not merely writing to seven churches and to that world in which he was then present, but it is understood that he is giving these writings to all future ages, even to the consummation of the world. Therefore, he mentions the number in a most holy manner, and he names "Asia," which means "elevated" or "walking," indicating that celestial fatherland which we call the "catholic church." For exalted by the Lord and always moving toward the things which are above, it is the church which advances by spiritual exercises and is always desirous of the things of heaven.”