And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. Ver. 1. _A reed_] That is, the word of God, that little book that he had newly eaten. This is the only rule of faith and discipline whereby... [ Continue Reading ]
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty _and_ two months. Ver. 2. _But the court_] The antichristian rout, cast out as reprobate silver, as refuse stuff, not worth the measuring.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will give _power_ unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred _and_ threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Ver. 3. _And I will give unto my two, &c._] _sc._ Power to purge the Church, and to stand for the truth, all the while it was trodden under foot. _Videsis Catal... [ Continue Reading ]
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. Ver. 4. _These are the two olive trees_] SeeZechariah 4:3; Zechariah 4:11; Zechariah 4:14. in this book of the Revelation the Holy Ghost borrows all the elegancies and flowers in the story of the Old Testa... [ Continue Reading ]
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Ver. 5. _Fire proceedeth out of their mouths_] So that a man were better anger all the witches in the world than God's faithful witnesses;... [ Continue Reading ]
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Ver. 6. _That it rain not_] That the influence of divine grace be withheld from those that despise the g... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Ver. 7. _And when they shall have finished_] Like as Christ, that faithful and true witness (as he is called, Rev 3:14), when he... [ Continue Reading ]
And their dead bodies _shall lie_ in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Ver. 8. _And their dead bodies_] This shows it cannot be meant as a natural death; for how should their bodies lie dead (in that sense) for three years... [ Continue Reading ]
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. Ver. 9. _Three days and a half_] _i.e._ For a short time, till out of their ashes others should arise to stickle for Christ. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. Ver. 10. _Shall rejoice over them_] As they did at the Council of Constance, when they had burnt John Huss and Jerome o... [ Continue Reading ]
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Ver. 11. _And they stood upon their feet_] That is, they set themselves stoutly and vigorously to fight against Antichrist. As William Ockam,... [ Continue Reading ]
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Ver. 12. _To heaven in a cloud_] As Christ did. _See Trapp on "_ Rev 11:7 _"_ And their enemies beheld] Not without rage and regret to see how they w... [ Continue Reading ]
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Ver. 13. _A great earthquake_] Since the Reformation, what stirs and broils have there b... [ Continue Reading ]
The second woe is past; _and_, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Ver. 14. _The second woe is past_] Visionally past, not eventually. _ The third woe_] Woe to the wicked, but joy to the saints. At once the sun rises upon Zoar, and the fire falls down upon Sodom. Abraham stands upon the hill, an... [ Continue Reading ]
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become _the kingdoms_ of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Ver. 15. _Great voices in heaven_] _i.e._ Great joy and triumph in the Church militant. _ Are bec... [ Continue Reading ]
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Ver. 16. _And the four and twenty elders_] _See Trapp on "_ Rev 4:9 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Ver. 17. _Because thou hast taken_] Thou hast slain and subdued those thine enemies, that sent messengers after thee, saying, "We will not have... [ Continue Reading ]
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Ver. 18.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Ver. 19. _And the temple of God_] Abundance of light shall be diffused in the Church, and heavenly myster... [ Continue Reading ]