The present chapter gives the contents of the little book expressed in two striking emblems, the measuring of God's temple, and the prophesying of the two witnesses. A REED LIKE UNTO A ROD-MEASURE THE TEMPLE-AND THEM THAT WORSHIP; compare Ezekiel 40:3, etc. The holy city, Jerusalem, with its temple... [ Continue Reading ]
FORTY AND TWO MONTHS; the period of the duration of the beast that rises out of the sea, chapter Revelation 13:5, where see the notes. The time of the trampling under foot of the holy city, and that of the prophesying of the two witnesses, both agree with the continuance of the two beasts of chapter... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TWO WITNESSES; representing the few who continued faithful to God during this long period of general apostasy. Two witnesses are probably named, because two were required by the Mosaic law to constitute valid testimony. Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15. A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THREESCORE D... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TWO OLIVE - TREES-THE TWO CANDLESTICKS; compare Zechariah 4:2-6; Zechariah 4:11-14, from which the imagery is taken, but with free changes. Oil is a symbol of divine grace: a lamp replenished with oil and shining brightly, represents the light of a holy life and holy doctrine. The two witnesses... [ Continue Reading ]
The images of these two verses represent the jealous care with which God watches over his faithful servants, and the punishment with which he visits their persecutors. FIRE PROCEEDETH OUT OF THEIR MOUTH; an allusion to the act of Elijah in calling down fire from heaven. 2Ki 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12. TO... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAST THAT ASCENDETH OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT; Satan and his emissaries, or persecutors instigated by the evil one. See further on chap Revelation 13:1-18. The word rendered beast here, and in chap Revelation 13:1-18, is a different word in the original from that in chap Revelation 4:6. There i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GREAT CITY; the seat of the persecuting power; supposed to be Rome, or places distinguished for wickedness under her control.... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DAYS AND A HALF; a limited and short period. NOT SUFFER THEIR DEAD BODIES TO BE PUT IN GRAVES; showing the dishonor and contempt with which the faithful servants of God would be treated, not only while they lived, but after they were dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE MERRY; in prospect of being in future freed from the influence of those whom they hated, and had slain.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF LIFE FROM GOD ENTERED INTO THEM; they were spiritually resuscitated. New and faithful servants of God were raised up, religion greatly revived, and the number of those who embraced it so multiplied, that the blood of the martyrs was seen to be the seed of the church.... [ Continue Reading ]
ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN IN A CLOUD; indicating the honor God bestowed upon them, and the special favor with which he treated them. The children of God, in bearing testimony for him, will live till their work is accomplished; and though they should come to a violent and ignominious death even in great... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME HOUR; with the resurrection of these witnesses. A GREAT EARTHQUAKE; see note to chap Revelation 6:12-14. SLAIN OF MEN SEVEN THOUSAND; literally, seven thousand names of men, representing a great destruction of the wicked high in power and place, who had hated and killed the saints. Chap R... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT VOICES IN HEAVEN; rejoicing over the rapid and triumphant spread of the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the spread of the gospel and the multiplication of those who embrace it, in the honor of the saints and their triumph over all who oppose them, the inhabitants of heaven greatly rejoice, and render fervent thanksgiving to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIME OF THE DEAD, THAT THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED; probably meaning the time when the pious dead, who have been slain for Christ's sake, shall be avenged. REWARD-THY SERVANTS-AND-DESTROY THEM WHICH DESTROY THE EARTH; save his friends and destroy his enemies, especially those who had been engaged in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TEMPLE OF GOD WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN; this verse belongs in all probability to the following series of prophecies, which it appropriately introduces. Compare chap Revelation 4:1, "A door was opened in heaven." But here the holy of holies is laid open, where God dwelt between the cherubim of the ar... [ Continue Reading ]