_A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet. By this
woman, interpreters commonly understand the Church of Christ, shining
with the light of faith, under the protection of the sun of justice,
Jesus Christ. The moon, the Church, hath all changeable things of this
world under her feet,... [ Continue Reading ]
_ With child, &c., to signify that the Church, even in the time of
persecutions, brought forth children to Christ. (Witham) --- It
likewise signifies the difficulties which obstructed the first
propagation of Christianity. (Pastorini)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Another wonder in heaven; that is, in the Church of Christ, though
revealed to St. John, in the visions, as if they were seen in heaven.
--- A great red dragon; a fiery dragon, with seven heads and ten
horns; i.e. many heads and many horns. By the dragon is generally
understood the devil, (see ver.... [ Continue Reading ]
His tail drew the third part of the stars: a great part of mankind.
This is spoken with an allusion to the fall of Lucifer from heaven,
with the rebellious angels, driven from thence by St. Michael.
(Witham) --- According to Pastorini, the passage refers to the angels
whom Lucifer drew after him by... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man child; that is, a masculine race of Christians, willing to
confess the name of the Lord, and to fight his battles; who, through
the merits of Jesus Christ, should triumph over all the attempts of
the world. (Calmet) --- Her son (or children) was taken up to heaven,
guarded by the special favo... [ Continue Reading ]
_The woman fled into the wilderness. The Church, in the times of
persecutions, must be content to serve God in a private manner; but by
the divine Providence, such persecutions never lasted with violence
only for a short time, signified by 1260 days, or as the same is
expressed here, (ver. 14) for a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now is come salvation....rejoice, O ye heavens. The blessed in heaven
rejoice for the victories of the faithful on earth, and also for the
reward and glory which would shortly be given them in heaven. (Witham)
--- Woe to the earth, &c. Both Pastorini and Calmet refer this woe to
the persecution of... [ Continue Reading ]
_There were given to the woman two wings of a great eagle. By these
two wings, some understand the love of God, and the fear of offending
him; others, piety, prudence, &c. (Witham) --- The Church, on account
of the severe pressure of the persecution, obtained from the Almighty
a special protection a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The serpent (the dragon, the devil) came out of his mouth, &c. He
endeavoured to destroy Christian religion; but the earth, that is, the
princes of the earth, as God was pleased to turn their hearts, helped
to turn away the persecutions. (Witham) --- As a last effort, the
devil raises a more bloody... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the earth helped the woman. A prince of the earth, Constantine,
came to the succour of the Church, and caused the persecution to
cease._... [ Continue Reading ]
And he stood upon the sand of the sea; [1] i.e. the dragon seemed to
be at a stand, to rest a while, not being able to raise any more
persecutions. Now as to the time that these things should come to
pass, many by seven heads and ten horns understand many powerful
wicked kings, who should persecute... [ Continue Reading ]