Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 5
LECTURE V.
Vers. 13.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs, come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the Kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battell of that great day of God Almighty.
15.
Behold, I come as a thief, Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
16.
And he gathered them together into a place, called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon.
FRom vers. 13. to vers. 17. followeth the third effect of this vial, to wit, the last great expedition of Antichrist for his support, now after Romes fall (or at least the shaking of that dominion hugely) and before his ruine. It may either be called a third effect following on, or occasioned by the former two; To wit, the first appearance of the Iews enimity against him and the Turks decay; Or, these verses may more fully explicate the manner how Euphrates (that is, the Turks dominion) was dried up to prepare the Iews way, it was by the beasts engaging them for him, who then by the battell of Armageddon were ruined both together, and an excellent state of the Church, both of the fulnesse of the Gentiles and in-calling of the Iews, followed: whereupon these praises (Chap. 19.) are by anticipation set down before the battell: however, the effects are the same.
This expedition in this Chapter (beside the event of it, Chap. 19.) is set out in five things. 1. In its authors, the Dragon, Beast and false Prophet. 2. Its speciall agents, three spirits. 3. Their task, to gather the Kings of the earth. And, 4. the successe, they are brought together in Armageddon, vers. 16. and before this, after the preparation in parenthesis, there is cast in a word both of warning and of comfort. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he, &c. vers. 15.
1. The Author is designed by three names, yet is the same party under diverse considerations. The Dragon is the same mentioned, Chap. 12.8, 9. to wit, the devil, here acting not immediately, but for supporting his lieutenant the beast, to whom he gave his power, Chap. 13. leaving nothing that hell can do for that end. The beast, is the first beast, named, Chap. 13. to wit, the Pope, as he is head to the civil State of Rome. The false prophet, is the two horned beast, Chap. 13.11. for (Chap. 19, 20.) the false prophet worketh miracles before the first beast, which is the very work of that two horned beast, Chap. 13. and his place only. He is called here the false prophets, because that vizorn of respect to the Lamb, which formerly he pretended, is now taken away, and he that pretended to be Christs Vicar, is now discovered to be the great deceiver and false prophet which was to come: and as these two beasts are one, Chap. 13. (as was there cleared) so is the beast and false prophet one here: for, Chap. 19. vers. 19. the beast is distinct from the Kings of the earth; so, vers. 14. of this Chapter, yet it would seem that all Civil powers under the name of Kings (as Ch…p. 17.) are contrad…stinguished from the beast and whore, as they that shall once support her and afterward hate her; neither can the Emperour be secluded from that reckoning: and therefore it is no supream Civil power. 2. They are both cast into the lake together, vers. 20. and the now-Roman Empire (likely) was either d…stroyed or turned from the Pope to hate him under the fourth and fifth vial. 3. They bo…h end together, and it will be hard to think that there will be no succession of Emperors or Civil states, representing these parts or powers after the Popes overthrow: yet are they all three named d…stinctly, to shew what concurreth for supporting papacy, devilish subtillity, temporall power and deep hypocrisie. In a word, all unlawfull and carnall shifts, and that both Civil and Ecclesiastick are made use of.
Secondly, These inferiour agents are severall wayes described. 1. In their nature, they are spirits: not prope…ly, for spirits, as such, cannot be seen, neither is it such that can treat with Kings and perswade them to war, as sent out of the mouth of the beast and false prophet. But spirits, 1. for their activity and nimblnesse in compassing their designs. 2. Because they call themselves spirituall men, in opposition to Laicks, such as the Popes Negotiators are, as Nuncios, Legats, Jesuits, &c. are exceeding meetly taken in here; for, their institution, oath and way of proceeding, answereth well to that of these fr…gs, as singularly commissionated to spread themselves through the world to engage all Kings against Christs followers, who may also have lying spirits waiting on them to make their embassage effectuall▪ as Ahab's false prophets had, 1 King. 22. to which this may allude.
2. They are described by their qualities, they are unclean spirits, like frogs. 1. In their rise, not of God, but the devil (for they are called so, vers. 14.) as all their orders are not of Christs pl…nting, therefore compared to locusts, Ch…p. 9. 2. In their ends, devilish, opposit to the Lord Christ, as the devil is. 3. In their manner of proceeding, by all means devilish instruments, &c. as murders, treasons, lies, equivocations, &c. they care not what, if they may effectuate their designs for supporting the beast. 4. In their life, filthy and loathsome, like frogs that use marishes (which in Reformations are not cleansed, Ezek. 47.11.) so that brood continue in these places, which remaineth unhealed and haunteth such company. 3. In their number, they are three, that is, a considerable number. In the 11. Chap. when Christs cause was low, he had but two witnesses, Antichrist hath three, as it were… moe do back him to his last than Christ had, so ten…cious and constant are men in evil rather than good. Three also, to suit with the nature of him that commissionateth them. So some act devilish…y and subti…ly, as from the Dragon representing him; Others by m…ght and civil negotiations carrying the businesse, as servants to Princes. A third sort, counterfeiting Religion, either by pretending many miracles to have been done by their party or strengthened by the devil to do great wonders themselves for covering their hypocrisie, and strengthening their cause: and according to this threefold commission they act. 3. This design of the beasts by these agents, is more particularly holden forth in four things.
1. To whom they are sent, to the Kings of the earth and of the whole world, that is, to all Nations and Powers whether Christian or Heathen that would joyn against the true Church. Therefore if the Emperor were one of the Popes followers, the commission must be sent to him, and he not be a sender; but as the naming of the Dragon distinctly supponeth no distinct visible power, so neither doth it in the other; likewise by the Dragon cannot be meaned heathen persecuters, for they are sent un…o by the beast also, and do not send, but it is the beast now appearing both l…ke a Dragon and a false Prophet. 2. Their errand, is, to gather them to the battell of that great day of God Almighty, that i…, to an eminent appearing of Gods, in taking vengeance on them: not that this is their intentention to fight against God, as it is expounded, Chap. 19. or to meet his vengeance, but that in Gods providence thi… is made the result of all: and though they think its fighting for Christs Vicar, yet he expoundeth it otherwise, as it is, upon the matter, a fighting against God Almighty; for it was to oppose His Churches rising, and in that battell God was partie. 3. The instruments are more clearly designed spirits, not of God but of the devil, suiting well with such a commission. 4. The means how they prevail, it is by working miracles, such as the devil, by his naturall and experimentall knowledge of things, and speciall dexterity to do and compasse things, can out of naturall causes easily and really bring forth, which may be wonderfull to men who can act nothing like these: or, by his deceit, making men believe he doth things of themselves beyond the power of nature, which he doth not really perform, but deludeth men to believe that they are performed: such are the beasts miracles, Chap. 13.12. Or, by making men believe, that all their legends of counterfeit miracles are true, which they make a mark of the true Church, and thus perswade men to support their Babylon.
Before he set down the successe of this negotiation, which is, vers. 16. he casteth in (vers. 15.) a word of warning and comfort. It should be in parenthesis, as if the Lord Christ said, such ill dayes and great temptations to draw folks in snares are coming, that many will go on in these designes as thinking all their own: The advertisement, is, Behold, I come as a thief: when they think least on it, and seeth least appearance of it, I am at hand to take vengeance on them, and to deliver the Church; So he speaketh, Matth. 24.43.44. 2 Pet. 3.10. 2. There is insinuated a duty suitable to this advertisement, that is, to Watch and keep their garments clean, which was expounded, Chap. 3.3. Implying, 1. a strait and difficulty; 2. the only mean of being preserved in a strait time, that is, watching, seing by it only men are keeped free of spots in their profession and Christian walk. 3. There is set down here two excellent motives pressing this necessary duty of watching, 1. from their happinesse who doth so, they are blessed, 1. In themselves, being keeped from much sin and wrath which others fall under. 2. In reference to others, who being by that design of Antichrists ensnared, shall share of wrath. The second, is, because by watching, men keep their nakednesse covered, which by sinning is discovered to their shame: a spotted garment hideth not this shame, but manifesteth it. To be keeped from sin, is a great motive, and to keep from sin keepeth from shame; for, shame followeth ever upon sin. And there is a behold prefixed, yet Readers may not passe it, but observe the warning for their instruction in duty, and the encouragement of blessednesse for their upstirring and comfort. Gods people would never look for a constant peace in the greatest growth of Religion, even at the Iews in-coming, the Church hath one of her sorest battels. There is great odds betwixt a thriving Gospel and the real advantage that cometh by it, and outward peace and prosperity.
The last thing, is the successe these foul spirits had. They gathered these Kings who for many years despised the Gospel, and never had been gathered by it, in Gods judgement they are given up to yeeld to them. This hath these circumstances, 1. The successe, They are gathered: and who? It is these to whom they were sent, both Popish Kings and Heathen Kings: It is like, the Turks as nearest, are most easily engaged to set on Christians: In a word, such speciall enemies as God mindeth to be about with. 2. It is said, he gathered them, not the spirits, that is, either the beast who commissionated them, or rather God, who in His secret providence ordereth that designe of the beasts and the enimity of these Kings for such an end as might glorifie Him, and undo them. It is like an allusion is to the commission Satan getteth against Ahab in perswading him, wherein though the devil be instrumentall by false prophets in bringing Ahab to Ramoth, 1 King. 22. yet it is by Gods permissive providence to punish Ahab, that maketh him prevail. So it is here, the devil hath one design, the beast another, God a third, and He maketh use of both for furthering of His; He doth it when they seem to get most way in theirs, and its but the effectuating of His; so Gods hand is soveraigne, even in Antichrists designs. 3. Concerning the place unto which they are gathered, two things are to be enquired, 1. What this Armageddon is? 2. Why it is expresly said in the Hebrew Tongue?
1. Armageddon is not to be taken literally, as if there were such a place, in which indeed bearing that name, that battell is to be fought in, but figuratively, it setteth down before hand, from the effect and event of that expedition and battell, after the manner of the Hebrews, who called places from notable events in them, as Bochim, Achor, Hamon, Gog, Ezek. 39. Bethel, with many others. Now, this is two wayes applicable, 1. Gnarim, which Arma cometh from, signifying subtillity and applied to the Serpent, Gen. 3.1. yea subtillity with deceitfulnesse. 2. Geddon cometh from a root that signifieth gathered together, so the word signifieth deceitfully gathered together by craft; or, the first root may signifie destruction, so it is gathered to be destroyed. The second way how it is applicable, is, to take it in allusion to Megi…do; so it will be the hill of Megiddo, a place in Iudah, famous for two events, 1. (Iudg. 5.19.) in overth…owing Sisera's mighty Army by a womans help, So these enemies brought into such a fit place, shall be as Sisera at the river Kison, Psal. 83. The other at Megiddo, by Ios…a's death is lamentable. Thus it relateth to the great zeal and repentance which shall be among the Iews at such a joyfull event, Zech. 12.12. both, or either, will suit here, what ever way it be. But take it from the force of the compound word, it agreeth best to the Hebrews way, and that is the reason why especially it is mentioned here expresly in the Hebrew tongue, implying, 1. that they put that name on it; for, it is not like that other Nations would give it a name in a strange tongue. 2. Their respecting the event in the name, as is their manner, as before was said: thus the name speaketh out the event.
If it be asked, why the Lord delayeth so these vials, or carrieth them so on as the Pope getteth such help, and bringeth Gods Church low, even when he is near to ruine? Answ. 1. This way trieth the faith and patience of Gods people most, as, here is their faith and patience (Chap. 13.) importeth. So was Israel tried in their slow delivery out of Egypt. 2. This effecteth His end amongst enemies more, and giveth them occasion of kything, and in Gods judgement hardeneth them, by hopes sometimes to prevail, till His wrath come on them. So was Pharaoh, by Israels straits at the Red-sea, and the Magicians counterfeit miracles, hardened: thus Christs coming, is as a snare, Luk. 21.35. 3. It contributeth more for Gods glory, He getteth them thus together to the great battell; He hath by this means many victories, and much glory over one enemy, as He had over Pharaoh, otherwise they would never uphold a contest with God. The Lord in this doth (as one saith) as a man, who, being to leap far, goeth a little back to come up with the greater force.
For sinfull causes of it, we may name, 1. their ingratitude and unanswerable walk who receive the Gospel, which will make God remove it, and therefore also not to propogate it. 2. Little pity on them that lieth under Antichrist, and little prayer for Gods hastening His judgements on him and fitting of instruments for it. 3. Little singlnesse in any undertaking for that end, few Kings mindeth it: self-interests sway all, and others carnally seek their own glory in being instrumentall in such a thing; or, under such a pretext, pursue their own more than Christs, therefore they are not blessed. 4. Want of a powerfull Ministrie, and lives answerable amongst Professors, which maketh this Truth to be loathed, seing so many are carnall, deceitfull, &c. who professe it. Thus many have a sinfull accession to Antichrists standing.