Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 4
LECTURE IV.
Vers. 12.
And the sixth Angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
THis vial in its events being wholly to come, it is no marvell there be difficulty in the understanding of it, seing what is not past is not easie; yet we have these two helps to understand it, 1. Concerning the time, this relateth to the state of the Church, succeeding Romes destruction: for as the first four vials begin and carry on his judgement, by discovering his hypocriticall way and spreading the light of the Gospel, and by Armies and temporall judgements taking vengeance on his Protectors, and dividing some (at least) of the western Kings that once had given their power to him, from him to be turned to hate him, Chap. 17. so the fifth vial lighteth on his seat, and he is made to quit his inexpugnable throne, and to flee else-where for shelter.
This sixth vial holdeth forth God still pursuing him; and as that beast useth new endeavours to strengthen himself by leagues with new friends, so God stirreth up new enemies against him, the Iews are called, and God taketh vengeance on all his supporters, when he hath suffered them for a time to countenance that banished Antichrist, he and they are both taken and cast into the pit, so that as the fifth vial putteth him from Rome, that it is not thereafter his seat, though there be a Pope: This sixth putteth an end to Popes, that there is none after that, as Chap. 19. appeareth: and then the seventh vial bringeth an end to all Christs enemies universally, and especially upon any adherents or favourers that this beast shall have after that; for, it appeareth, that even when there shall be no visible Pope, yet some shall continue so drunk with his wine as to be doting after him and lamenting his destruction, even to the end, who then shall be remembered when great Babylon shall get her last sentence.
A second help for clearing this, is, by comparing it with the 19. Chapter, which is the more clear and full explication of this: for, 1. that followeth the 18. Chapter which directly cleareth the fifth vial, and so in order the exposition of this sixth followeth, Chap. 19. 2. Here a gathering and battell is spoken of, but the event is not set down till Chap. 19. when the contrary party against this gathering is expressed, and that it is the same gathering, appeareth, that it is here the day of God, there, the supper of the great King, denoting one singular and eminent overthrow of Gods enemies. 3. also that the enemies destroyed there, are the same mentioned here, to wit, Kings and their Armies, the beast and false Prophet (who are mentioned under the same names in both places, to shew the reference of the one to the other) and therefore comparing the events with the 19. Chapter, it appeareth that the first four Verses contain a desirable event having an accession to the Church in it, answerable to which is the praise in the beginning of Chap. 19. the other expresseth a speciall designe of the beast, which God disappointeth, Chap. 19. last part. Who these Kings of the East are, by which such an accession is made, and ground of joy given to the Church, will appear afterward.
In the words we have, 1. the object of this plague, the great river Euphrates. 2. The effects are more summarily and generally set down in two, 1. the effect; And 2. the end or use of it, vers. 12. Then more particularly, from vers. 13. to 17. In a word, there are three notable events holden forth here, 1. the Iews conversion under that expression, The preparing of the way of the Kings of the East, 2. the diminishing of the Turks greatnesse, by drying up Euphrates. 3. the last expedition of the beast for support of his tottering Kingdom in the rest of the words, with its event, Chap. 19. This last expedition is either occasioned by the Iews conversion, who, taking him to be Antichrist, joyne with his opposers, whereby he is put to see for new friends. Or, these words may more fully explicate what by anticipation was set down before, namely, how this river of Euphrates was dried, to wit, Antichrist being put from Rome by the Western Kings, who now hate him, he hath recourse to the Turk, and possibly by alluring him from what prejudice he may suffer from the Iews rising and greatnesse, he getteth him engaged to concur with him, and many others also, on whom God taketh vengeance when they are gathered together, that what concerneth the Iews be not impeded.
The object, is, the great river Euphrates: which is great; and because of that, it is often called (foreign) in Scripture the river simply. Of this Euphrates we heard, chap. 9. It runneth through Mesopotamia by or through Babylon, it divided Solomons Kingdom from Syria, and was a great strength to Babylon; and when the Iews were carried captive, they were carried beyond the river, that is, Euphrates; therefore it stands now in the way of their returning: this here is an impediment of their entry to the Church and of their accesse to help down with Babylon; and as once Iordan was dried to make way for them, so that impediment is to be removed (as if it were by the drying of a river) out of their way. To take Euphrates literally here, will not suit much with the Analogie used in the rest of the vials, nor with the scope here (that river standeth little in the way of the Iews conversion, and the drying of it will be little usefull to the Church) it must then be figuratively understood. By waters ordinarily in Scripture are understood much people, and by Euphrates in particular, these people that dwelt about it, as Isa. 8.7. the King of Assyria and his Army are called the waters of the river, that is, of Euphrates, because they dwelt about it. By the same reason then, Euphrates here must be understood the people for the time inhabiting there: and because not only in verity of the thing, the Turks now possesse that part of the world, but also (Chap. 9.14, &c. of this Book) these same people were marked as bound about that river; and the loosing of them, noted, as it were, the overflowing of that peoples Dominion like a flood from these parts. So there is no people that can be so reasonably understood here as the Turks, who were also understood there, Chap. 9.14. And this sixth vial, mentioning that river, hath a speciall relation to the sixth trumpet, where it was mentioned before; for so the agreement betwixt the trumpets and the vials requireth. Beside, Euphrates was both the border of the Roman Empire, and also of Davids Kingdom, though of, and within neither, but rather an impediment to both, so it would seem that no people within the Empire or Church are meaned, though such enemies as border with both may be understood.
The effect, is, the waters thereof were dried up, that is, as their Dominion increased by their overflowing under the sixth trumpet, so now they decay and diminish, and their Empire is abridged, by what mean, the Lord knoweth: But these who before seemed a great river that none could passe, now people may crosse it, they are brought low; for, if overflowing signifie victory, as Isai. 8.7. then drying up must signifie diminishing, as is said.
The second part of the event setteth forth the end of this, to wit, that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared: where we are to enquire, 1. what these Kings are? 2. what this is, to prepare their way? 3. how the diminishing of the Turkish power doth it?
By these kings in the East, we understand the Iews, who, being converted unto the faith of Christ, are not only Kings, as all other Christians are, Chap. 1.7. but it seemeth that especially they, when the Scripture speaketh of their conversion, are called Kings. If we will compare vers. 21, 22, and 23. of Isa. 24. we will find these things clear. 1. That when Israel is to be chastened, and thereafter restored, they are called Kings, Vers. 21. for, it is they that are after many dayes visited, and that is the Iews; for no other people are capable of the comfort intended in the promise, (as Calvin in locum asserteth) for it supposeth them once to have been Gods people. And, 2. for a long time to have been forgotten; and what is added of Gods reigning in Sion before his ancients, confirmeth this also. 2. It is clear that that visitation seemeth to relate to their last calling; for it is after many dayes, while the whole face of their land is overrun. 2. The erecting again of Christs Kingdom amongst them in so glorious a reigne, looketh to that time when it shall be most glorious, and so at their conversion, though in some part it may be fulfilled already under the Gospel (as all do grant) yet its higher degree of the Iews re-ingrafting followeth: and why may not that ancient priviledged people get names, importing a singular respect to them, especially considering that God may at their conversion furnish them generally with such spirituall and royall induements, that the feeble amongst them may be as David, and give also unto them a large outward Dominion? Zech. 12.
They are called Kings of the East, 1. because in respect of the part of the world we live in, who before them injoy the Gospel; they are East to us, and so they are distinguished from the native Western Kingdoms and Kings, made also now to hate the whore. 2. Because many of them living there (it is like since the first captivity, and last dispersion) when they may be made to joyn against Antichrist in the West, (which maketh him so afraid) their expedition will look as coming from the East, and so the Turks will be in their way, as Euphrates was in Cyrus way, impeding the intaking of Babylon, till it was dried; so this of mysticall Babylon. 3. Because possibly (if not probably) after the Turks destruction, God may give them great possessions and Dominions in the East, and make them much instrumentall for spreading of the Gospel to other Kings in these parts: besides, ordinarily any rise of light to the Church and of Christs coming, is spoken as from the East, so Chap. 7.2. and Mat. 24. it is like lightning, as it were, a new day or morning breaking up in the Church.
2. For the next thing, what this way of the Iews is? It seemeth to be one or all of these three, 1. It is to the Church. 2. to help down the Pope. 3. to their own possession. The Turks standing marreth all, and his removing will further all these.
To clear it, That their way may be prepared taketh in this generall, the removing of any thing which may hinder them in their way towards the Church, or in the former expeditions: For, 1. not only are they to be looked on here as coming to the true Church, now separated from Antichrist; but, 2. as concurring to have a main hand in his overthrow. Hence he is so afraid at their conversion, (for it seemeth, that now all true converts are to be imployed in ruining him) and he hath an Hebrew name Abaddon, to shew their abhorrency of him as others do, and the place of his ruine, and the praise for the same, is in Hebrew, Chap. 19. pointing at a speciall hand which they are to have in his last overthrow. And in reference to these two ends of the Iews conversion, to wit, of joyning to the Church, and of going against Antichrist, there is to them a twofold lett in their way (to forbear now their going to their own land) there is a great stumbling from the superstitious worship of Papists, who are called Christians, and a stumbling at the long prevailing of the enemy of Christians, the Turk, wondering, that if Christ be God, how He suffereth such blasphemy and blasphemers.
The first, in a great part is removed by Gods judgement on the Pope, and Rome in the fifth vial. The second is to be removed now by this, that no stumbling or lett remain? for though they would do something, and possibly, now having the Pope discovered to them, their zeal is more hot against him than others, (because by his means they have been much hardened) yet the Turk becoming their enemy, and being engaged to that whores support, they are impeded while the Turkish Empire standeth. This vial removeth that impediment, his power is weakened, whether by themselves or by others, or by drawing of many to Christianity from him, we are not to determine; but accesse is given to them both to pull Antichrist down, and probably to win to their own possession by his ruine. And this leadeth to the third thing proposed, to wit, how the ruine of the Turks, or their weakning, may be called the preparing of their way. Which is clear. 1. whether we look to the Iews conversion, it strengthens them that Christ is God, and giveth them hopes of coming home: on which they lay great weight. Or, 2. whether we look to their undertaking against Antichrist. Or, 3. their return to their own land: all which three, as we said, seem to be pointed at here. The standing of the Turk obstructeth all, these three and the overturning of him, will strengthen all, and give them liberty without fear in the professing of Christ.
For further clearing of this, That these two events, to wit, the Iews conversion, and the Turks downfall, are prophesied of here, we shall confirm both severally from these reasons.
That the Iews conversion must be understood here, appeareth: for, 1. It is certain their conversion in the last dayes is spoken of and to be expected, and it can suit with no time better than of this sixth vial, which is after the Popes overthrow in respect of his seat at Rome, and before the seventh vial, which bringeth the end. Neither is it like that so great and concerning a businesse of the Church would be omitted in this prophesie; and it can be brought in no where so clearly, that of the Iews mentioned, Chap. 7. being nothing to this purpose, as was said there. 2. The Prophets seem to foretell their restoring in these same terms, See, Isa. 11.15. and 16. which Chapter speaketh of the dayes of the Gospel, and the Iews restoring, suiting with that time, as cannot be denied.
The expressions in sum are, that as God, when He brought them out of Egypt, dried up the sea and Iordan, so when He bringeth them from Assyria (which was beyond this Euphrates from Iudea) He shall smite that river, and the removing of all impediments is set out under that expression. Neither is it for nought that drying of waters is a peculiar mercy shown to Israel in their first deliverances, and that allusion is made to that in their following restitution, to be a confirmation to their faith therein, as Isa. 44.27. Thus saith the Lord that drieth up the rivers, and saith to the deep, be drie, &c. when yet no particular river was to be dried up, but thereby to mind them of what He had done.
3. If we look further to the explication of this, Chap. 19. there is much joy in the Church, praising God that He reigneth, and that in an eminent way, that His Wife hath made her self ready, and the marriage is come, &c. And can these agree so well to any event, as to the conversion of the Iews, which (Rom. 11.) shall be as a resurrection from the dead? Or, can the joy be so great, or the Marriage be made ready without them? especially considering if now they be not amongst Christs friends, when, in the words following, He is on His march against all His enemies; and could the Church of the Gentiles be merry if the Iews were amongst these enemies? But from Chap. 19. it is clear, that there is here a notable and singular accession to the Church; and what one can have these effects so as this?
4. It is not unworthy the observing, that here so many Hebrew expressions and phrases are used, and not so any where else: which seemeth to plead a speciall interest that the Hebrews have in the event of this vial. 1. The place is named in the Hebrew Tongue Armageddon: Why? Hebrews are there to put on that name, as their custom was to name places from events. 2. The praise is in Hebrew (Chap. 19.) Alleluja, used frequently in the Psalms, and not mentioned in any other song in this Book though they be frequent, because there was no considerable Hebrew praisers before this: These brought in, are called the Lambs wife, as in a Covenant relation, even before she be made ready; which agreeth to none, but to that ancient married people, unto which Covenant God hath respect, even in their last calling.
If it be asked, What we understand by their restoration, or conversion, if meerly a calling to the faith of Christ, where ever they shall dwell dispersed up and down amongst other people, or, with it, a restoring of them to their former land and inheritance to serve God there, not in a typicall or ceremoniall way, but as an eminent, Gospel Nationall Church? Albeit we cannot take on us peremptorily to determine, we say, 1. that although the first be true, yet dare we not say that it is meerly and only to the faith of Christ, so as to exclude the other of possessing them in their own land, and that not only for the respect we have to the most able Commentators on this Scripture, and others of the Prophets, but for the reasons especially which may be alleaged for it, which we draw to three heads: the first are the Scriptures and promises, speaking to the restoring not only of Iudah, but also of Israel to return to serve God in their own land in one, Ezek. 37.20, 21, &c. of Gods promising to blesse it to them after its long ba…rennesse and their being ejected out of it, Psal. 67.7. See, Ier. 3.18. Ezek. 34.13. and 36.24. and 37.14. and 39.28. which places, as to Israel and their return with Iudah, cannot be laid to be fulfilled, Isa. 11.12 from vers. 10. That place (Amos 9. vers. 11, 12.14, 15.) seemeth convincing to this purpose, as b…longing to them in the dayes of the Gospel, and yet cannot be said to be fulfilled, especially in respect of what is in the last Verse. And certainly some words of Christs, Matth. 23. Luk. 21.24. limiting their outward desolation and the desolation of their houses and land to the t…me they should say, Hosanna to Him and acknowledge Him, and to the time of the fulnesse of the Gentiles, do also speak for this. Add to them Paul, speaking of their restitution, as to a Nationall state, and of all Israel to be grafted in, as they were broken off, which cannot be so well without an outward Nationall civil State, which confirmeth the former, Rom. 11.
A second sort of proof is, the reasons that plead for this; and in effect what reasons do plead for the Iews conversion, do in some degree plead for a temporall restitution, as, 1. Gods electing them to be His people, and making an everlasting Covenant with them, the promise of their dwelling for ever in that land, which peculiarly was given to that race (in a more speciall manner and by more singular rights and titles than any other in the world) are comprehended in that Covenant: and if any say, that that is not a saving promise or absolute; so neither was His promise of continuing them a visible Church, or His people, absolute, as the events of both al…ke do clear; yet is weight laid on His Covenant with their fathers, thus far as to make them again His people, and why not in this p…rticular also? for it is not simply that He Cov…nanted with them in a Covenant of Grace (for, so He hath done with many others) but in a Covenant with speciall promises and grounds that maketh it a singular tye in these things, beyond w…at others have: See Rom. 11.28. Considering especially, that so Gods glory will the more shine in His faithfulnesse and goodnesse in the remembrance of His people and Covenant: that work will be the more observable to all Nations, and their incoming, which is a …peciall evidence of Gods faithfulnesse, and a great promise made to the Church, will certainly bring forth the ends of it more observably thus, both as they relate to God and His h…nour, the Churches splendour and others edification, or their own consolation, Neither can that promise made to Israel (Deut. 30 2, 3, 4, &c. that when ever they should repent, the Lord would gather them from the Nations whether they were scattered, and return them to their own land) be thought void and null after Christs coming, especially considering the generall repentance and mourning, which is to accompany their conversion. Therefore it would seem by that promise they may expect their own land, it being a part of Gods engagement to the naturall seed of Abraham.
A third sort of proof, is, the concurrence of Gods Providence hitherto seeming to confirm this; for, beside that they are still, where they live, a distinct people by themselves unmixed with other races (which seemeth to hold forth Gods will, that they should be so, and if they were converted, so as to live among other Christians, they might ingrosse in that Nation they live amongst, and the name of that Nation evanish) but that keepeth what befalleth them remarkable: as also, that although some expedition, yet, as it is reported, few or none of them are possessors of lands any where, to be a retardment unto them. Considering also, that God hath reserved that Land unpossessed by any Christian, but such men as he mindeth to destroy, and to void it of for them: and considering also that the conversion of the Iews and the destruction of these that possesse now their Land, are trysted together at one time, Can any think that for nought? or, now when the Turks shall be expelled in this generall battell at Armageddon, and that Land left void, and the Iews new converted, having hand in their overthrow, Will any offer to come between them and that possession? especially, considering that at such a time there will be (probably) a generall zeal more than ordinary for the Churches propagation, rather than for particular dominion: certainly their title to that Land, will appear more sacred than what any other people can claim to any Land or it, and who will impede it? and it is observable that who ever possess that land, it is still in Scripture accounted as belonging to the Iews, and will that right be to no purpose? 2. We say to that question, whatever may be doubted of their restoring to their Land, yet that they shall be brought to a visible Church-state. 1. Not only in particular persons here and there in Congregations; but that multitudes; yea, the whole body of them, shall be brought, in a common way with the Gentiles, to professe Christ, which cannot be denied, as Rom. 11. is clear, and that will be enough to satisfie us in this Text, though indeed this will stand also well with the former, and some way infer it.
The other thing to be cleared, was, that the Turks overthrow one way or other is meaned by the drying up of that river Euphrates: which, beside what is said, is confirmed, 1. from the end wherefore it is dryed up, to wit, the Iews restoring: and however we take their restoring (as is said) nothing more hindereth it than the Turks standing, (the Pope being now down) especially if the restoring them to their own Land be understood: that cannot be without this preceeding furtherance and the removing of this impediment out of their way. 2. The fulnesse of the Gentiles goeth alongst with, if it do not preceed, the Iews calling; and can that fulnesse be and the Turks possesse so many Nations, where the Gentiles had Churches, and where there is so much joy in the Church, Chap. 19. and so much wrath generally on Christs enemies in the end thereof? It cannot be thought that either of these can be, and the Turks be free. 3. It followeth natively by comparing the order and method of the vials with the trumpets. This is clear in all, That what plague cometh on the Church by the trumpets, the contrary good cometh by the vials, and what advantage Antichrist got by the one, he losseth by the other. Now, it is certain, that as by the fifth trumpet Antichrist rose, and these Turks (before bound at Euphrates) were loosed by the sixth, as a plague following Antichrist on the Christian world; So by the fifth vial, Antichrist is put from his seat: and therefore in order by the sixth the Church should be next freed of that enemie, which Antichrists rise to the throne brought on: especially considering that the expressions are so like other; in the sixth trumpet, they are loosed as if Euphrates were overflowing all banks; here again, by the sixth vial, that overspreading is restrained and dried, which must be a drying up suitable and apposit to that loosing, which was before in the sixth trumpet. Beside, there is no other application probable; for to apply this to Cyrus his taking of Babylon, as if he had been a King from the East, his coming from the North will not suffer it, Ier. 50.41, 42, 43. Or, to call these Easterns, heathen Nations, or Turks to be made use of to destroy Antichrist, cannot be: for these vials are poured out by some from the Temple, and Kings that formerly whored with the whore will have a main hand in her overthrow, Chap. 17. Or, to apply it to the weakening the Popes revenues, which as a River strengtheneth him, no question, he being formerly put from his throne, and these Kings turned to hate him, his coffers will be empty before this sixth vial come: Neither do these prepare so the Iews way, nor speaketh it formally such accession to the Church as the other, which is clear to be understood here from Chap. 19.
There are two chief Objections to be removed, The first is, That these vials bring wrath on the beast, as the effects of them, and he is the object they pour their plagues upon; but neither the in-coming of the Iews nor down-bringing of the Turks, toucheth him or affecteth him. Answ. 1. Though the beast be the chief object, yet not the only object, especially in these last two vials; all other enemies, Kings of the earth and Nations are also plagued, as is clear, comparing what followeth with Chap. 19.2. In all these vials, two things are joyned together, the standing and spreading of Christs Kingdom and the decreasing of Antichrists: and these two proceed together; what bringeth Antichrist down, advanceth Christs Kingdom; and what advanceth His Kingdom, darkeneth Antichrists: and though directly it strike not on Antichrist, yet consequentially it doth; for, all Christs followers are Antichrists enemies. 3. It is not simply the Jewish Nation their conversion, and the Turks overthrow, that are spoken of here; but it is the Iews conversion and union with the Gentiles in pursuing Antichrist now discovered (and therefore first here …alled the false prophet) and the Turks now apparently as united with Antichrist (it being like, that he is among the chief of the Nations or Kings of the earth which he addresseth unto) and so both the Iews conversion and Turks ruine, will be of great concernment and a heavy stroke to the Pope.
Obj. 2. Can such a great accession stand with that, Chap. 15. that none would enter the Temple till these plagues were ended? Answ. 1. It cannot be meaned, that no growth should be of the Church from the beginning of the vials, till all were closed: for then there should never any be, for they close the last judgement, and yet every vial hath a new accession to the Church and some victory over Antichrist. 2. The meaning of that place then, is, 1. none were able to stand to interceed for these who were to be plagued, but necessarily and inevitably they were poured out, and no intercession was admitted. 2. None entered of these creatures devoted to Antichrist and his destruction, they continued hardened to the last, even after Rome is destroyed and the Popes abolished, yet some remainder there is to the very last vial.
All which should stir us up heartily to pray for these things that sometimes will be so good news to the Church, that in due time the Lord would perform it and hasten it. So far may we be warranted from this place.