But the court which is without the temple — The old temple had a court in the open air, for the heathens who worshipped the God of Israel. Cast out — Of thy account. And measure it not — As not being holy In so high a degree. And they shall tread — Inhabit. The holy city — Jerusalem, Matthew 4:5. So... [ Continue Reading ]
And I — Christ. Will give to my two witnesses — These seem to be two prophets; two select, eminent instruments. Some have supposed (though without foundation) that they are Moses and Elijah, whom they resemble in several respects. To prophesy twelve hundred and sixty days — Common days, that is, an... [ Continue Reading ]
These are the two olive trees — That is, as Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two olive trees spoken of by Zechariah, Zechariah 3:9, Zechariah 4:10, were then the two chosen instruments in God's hand, even so shall these. be in their season. Being themselves full of the unction of the Holy One, they shall... [ Continue Reading ]
If any would kill them — As the Israelites would have done Moses and Aaron, Numbers 16:41. He must be killed thus — By that devouring fire.... [ Continue Reading ]
These have power — And they use that power. See Revelation 11:10. To shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophesying — During those "twelve hundred and sixty days." And have power over the waters — In and near Jerusalem. To turn them into blood — As Moses did those in Egypt. And to sm... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they shall have finished their testimony — Till then they are invincible. The wild beast — Hereafter to be described. That ascendeth — First out of the sea, Revelation 13:1, and then out of the bottomless pit, Revelation 17:8. Shall make war with them — It is at his last ascent, not out of... [ Continue Reading ]
And their bodies shall be — Perhaps hanging on a cross. In the street of the great city — Of Jerusalem, a far greater city, than any other in those parts. This is described both spiritually and historically: spiritually, as it is called Sodom Isaiah 1:9 &c. and Egypt; on account of the same abominat... [ Continue Reading ]
Three days and a half — So exactly are the times set down in this prophecy. If we suppose this time began in the evening, and ended in the morning, and included (which is no way impossible) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the weekly festival of the Turkish people, the Jewish tribes, and the Christian... [ Continue Reading ]
And they that dwell upon the earth — Perhaps this expression may peculiarly denote earthly — minded men. Shall make merry — As did the Philistines over Samson. And send gifts to one another — Both Turks, and Jews, and heathens, and false Christians.... [ Continue Reading ]
And great fear fell upon them that saw them — And now knew that God was on their side.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I heard a great voice — Designed for all to hear. And they went up to heaven, and their enemies beheld them — who had not taken notice of their rising again; by which some had been convinced before.... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was a great earthquake and the tenth part of the city fell — We have here an unanswerable proof that this city is not Babylon or Rome, but Jerusalem. For Babylon shall be wholly burned before the fulfilling of the mystery of God. But this city is not burned at all; on the contrary, at the... [ Continue Reading ]
The second woe is past — The butchery made by the Saracens ceased about the year 847, when their power was so broken by Charles the Great that they never recovered it. Behold, the third woe cometh quickly — Its prelude came while the Roman see took all opportunities of laying claim to its beloved un... [ Continue Reading ]
And the seventh angel sounded — This trumpet contains the most important and joyful events, and renders all the former trumpets matter of joy to all the inhabitants of heaven. The allusion therefore in this and all the trumpets is to those used in festal solemnities. All these seven trumpets were he... [ Continue Reading ]
And the four and twenty elders — These shall reign over the earth, Revelation 5:10. Who sit before God on their thrones — which we do not read of any angel.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Almighty — He who hath all things in his power as the only Governor of them. Who is, and who was — God is frequently styled, "He who is, and who was, and who is to come." but now he is actually come, the words, "who is to come," are, as it were, swallowed up. When it is said, We thank thee that... [ Continue Reading ]
And the heathen nations were wroth — At the breaking out of the power and kingdom of God. This wrath of the heathens now rises to the highest pitch; but it meets the wrath of the Almighty, and melts away. In this verse is described both the going forth and the end of God's wrath, which together take... [ Continue Reading ]
And the temple of God — The inmost part of it. Was opened in heaven — And hereby is opened a new scene of the most momentous things, that we may see how the contents of the seventh trumpet are executed; and, notwithstanding the greatest opposition, (particularly by the third woe,) brought to a glori... [ Continue Reading ]