And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty _and_ four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. Ver. 1. _A lamb_] In opposition to that counterfeit lamb, Revelation 13:12. A lion he can show himself at pleasure. _ Stood_] Ready pressed... [ Continue Reading ]
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: Ver. 2. _As the voice of many waters_] The word of God (called here a voice from heaven) hath, saith Mr Forbes, three degrees of operation in... [ Continue Reading ]
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred _and_ forty _and_ four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Ver. 3. _A new song_] _See Trapp on "_ Rev 5:9 _"_ But the hundred, &c.] To whom... [ Continue Reading ]
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, _being_ the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Ver. 4. _Which were not defiled with women_] Which have not moiled themselves wi... [ Continue Reading ]
And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Ver. 5. _And in their mouth_] Children they are that will not lie,Isaiah 63:8, neither is a deceitful tongue found in their mouth, Zephaniah 3:13. They will rather die than lie. The officers of Merindol answ... [ Continue Reading ]
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Ver. 6. _And I saw another angel_] This is held to be John Wycliffe, who wrote more than two hundred volumes again... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Ver. 7. _Fear God_] Let one fear drive out another (as one fire doth another); the fear of God, the fear of your fe... [ Continue Reading ]
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Ver. 8. _And there followed another angel_] Martin Luther with his book _De Captivitate Babylonia, _ which when Bugenhagius first... [ Continue Reading ]
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive _his_ mark in his forehead, or in his hand, Ver. 9. _And the third angel_] Understand by this third angel, all the reformers and preachers of the gospel after Luther, to the end of t... [ Continue Reading ]
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Ver. 10. _Of the wine of the wrath of God_] Wine for wine... [ Continue Reading ]
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Ver. 11. _And the smoke of their torment_] _Utinam de gehenna ubique dissereretur, _ saith Chrysostom. Would to God... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is the patience of the saints: here _are_ they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Ver. 12. _Here is the patience_] See Revelation 13:10. The beast, being thus declared and declaimed against, will rage above measure; hold out therefore, faith and patience.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed _are_ the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Ver. 13. _A voice from heaven_] That voice of Christ, John 5:24; John 8:51 . _ Write, B... [ Continue Reading ]
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud _one_ sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. Ver. 14. _A sharp sickle_] An instrument to cut down grain, Deuteronomy 16:9, and the bunches and branches of the grapes, Isaiah 18:5. It... [ Continue Reading ]
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Ver. 15. _Thrust in thy sickle_] This is not a command, but a request of the faithful, which... [ Continue Reading ]
And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Ver. 16. _And he that sat on the cloud_] That is, Christ, who soon condescendeth to the suits of his servants. _Iste vir potuit quod voluit, _ said one concerning Luther. The death of Arius was _precationis op... [ Continue Reading ]
And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. Ver. 17. _And another angel_] The community of faithful Christians that combine against Antichrist, to pull him out of his throne and cut his comb.... [ Continue Reading ]
And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. Ver. 18. _And another angel_] A type of true pastors... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast _it_ into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Ver. 19. _And the angel thrust in_] Down go the Antichristians immediately, by the power and prowess of the Christian armies, thus edged and eneagered b... [ Continue Reading ]
And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand _and_ six hundred furlongs. Ver. 20. _And the winepress was trodden_] viz. By Christ the King, with his heavenly horsemen, Revelation 19:13,14 . _ Without th... [ Continue Reading ]