Observe here, 1. That by the woman we are to understand the Christian church in her militant state, called. woman, in regard of her weakness and dependency; as also in regard of her fruitfulness, she bringing forth many children unto God, which are borne upon her knees. Observe, 2. This woman, the... [ Continue Reading ]
The church, typified by. woman, was described in the former verse by her rare perfections, in this verse by her weak and perilous condition; she cries like. woman in travail or delivery, to God in her prayers, to men in her apologies. The plain sense is this, "That the Christian church was possessed... [ Continue Reading ]
The church was described before: her arch-enemy, the devil, is described now: he is called. DRAGON for his subtility,. GREAT dragon for his power,. RED dragon for his fiery curelty. His SEVEN HEADS denote his manifold subtilities, and mischievous contrivances, his devices and wicked imaginations aga... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "Herod watched to destroy Christ as soon as he was born, Matthew 2:1-12 so while the church was endeavouring to propagate Christianity and make converts to Christ, the dragon watched, intending to devour them." The devil's great design is to crush every good thing in the beginning, to nip g... [ Continue Reading ]
By MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS, understand Christ, whose the angels are, and so much the name imports, MICHAEL, that is, WHO LIKE GOD; Christ is the likeness of his Father, his essential likeness. St. John in. vision beholds MICHAEL and his angels combating with the dragon and his angels; yea, vanquishin... [ Continue Reading ]
After MICHAEL and his angels', Christ and his followers' victory over the dragon and his angels, over Satan and his instruments, here follows. solemn thanksgiving for the devil's downfall: the saints in heaven join with believers on earth in this song of confidence and triumph: when they speak of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The incessant and restless malice of Satan and his instruments against the church; neither his fore-mentioned disappointment, his present foil and downfall, nor his fear of future destruction, could move him to desist: but, having attempted to destroy the church with the fire of persec... [ Continue Reading ]
Two things are here observable:. new danger, Revelation 12:15. renewed succour, Revelation 12:16. Observe, 1. new danger; this is set forth, 1. By the author of it, the SERPENT; the former attempt against the church was managed by the wrathful dragon, this is contrived by the subtle serpent: open c... [ Continue Reading ]