Exposition of Revelation 11, Title page – To the reader
AN EXPOSITION OF THE Eleventh Chapter OF THE REVELATION.
WHEREIN All those Things therein Revealed, which must shortly come to pass, are EXPLAINED.
By Hanserd Knollys, a Servant of Jesus Christ.
Luk. 8.10.
—To you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to others in Parables.
Printed, Anno Domini, 1679.
An Epistle to the READER.
Ingenuous Reader,
MY Intention in the Exposition of this Chapter is, to Explain those things therein Revealed, which are not Fulfilled; but must shortly come to pass. This Book of the Revelation in the Prophetical part thereof doth contain in it three principal Visions, viz. First, the Vision of the seven golden Candlesticks, Rev. 1.12. Secondly, The Vision of the seven Seals; Rev. 5.1. seven Trumpets, Rev. 8.2. and seven Vials, Rev. 15.1.7. & 21. 9. Thirdly, The Vision of the new-Heavens, and new-Earth, and the new-Jerusalem; Rev. 21.1, 2. This Chapter belongs unto the second principal Vision, to wit, the seven Trumpets, and it containes the chief Effect of the sixth Trumpet, and the second WOE to the end of the 14. verse: And also the fulfilling of those Prophesies of the Davidical and Monarchical KINGDOM of our LORD Jesus Christ here on Earth, (which God hath spoken by the Mouth of all his holy Prophets since the World began.) When the seventh Angel shall begin to sound the third WOE Trumpet, Rev. 10.7. and the 15. verse of this Chapter, and some Effects thereof, verse 16. to the End.
The Reason why I speak so briefly touching the BEAST in the Exposition of the seventh verse of this Chapter, is because I intend (God assisting me) to treat more largely thereof in my Exposition of the Seventeenth Chapter, vers. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. which verses contain the Description of this BEAST, and the Revelation of the Mystery thereof; (as in its proper Place to be Expounded) and there I shall open the Mystery of Iniquity of that Man of Sin, 2 Thes. 2.3.7. the POPE of Rome, &c.
I do humbly Counsel thee (friendly Reader) to Consider, that this Prophecie is delivered after the Manner of other Prophesies, wherein several things are spoken in the words and language of the Prophets, and according to the Custom of the Jews, For that ancient People, their State, Sufferings, and Ceremonies; their Temple, Worship, and Ordinances; their Kings, Priests, and Prophets were in many things Typical, and in some particulars lively Types of Christ, and his Kingdom. Again I intreat the Judicious Reader, to observe the Allusions of the Spirit, touching the Temple, Altar, City, Tabernacle, &c. and whereunto the Allusion is made, by its apt Resemblance unto some other thing, agreeing in some sort together, and yet not the same thing but alluding unto it. Lastly, I earnestly desire the Reader diligently to search into the Times of the forty two Months, the 1260. Daies, and the three daies and an half here mentioned, verse. 2.3.9.11. by comparing the most authentick Histories with the Prophesies of this Book, whereby the judicious Reader may probably know how many of these Prophetical Months, and Daies are past, and so come to understand how near the finishing Time of the Testimony of the two Prophetical Witnesses is, which must shortly come to pass, and be fulfilled.
To conclude, If this Treatise shall come to the hands of the Learned, and they not disdain to Read it, I do most humbly beseech some of them, to whom God hath given a greater Measure of Wisdom, Knowledge, and understanding, that they would be provoked hereby, to communicate the same publickly for the Glory of God, and the Benefit of his Church, and People; unto whose Judgment I do submit this little Treatise, to Censure it, as their Learning, Piety, and Wisdom shall dispose them. Now earnestly begging the fervent and constant prayers of all, that shall Read the same, I subscribe myself,
The most unworthy of all the Servants of Christ, Han. Knollys.