Commentary on Revelation, Commentary on the Book of Revelation · Chapter 9
The Argument, Parts & Analyſis of CHAPTER XI.
NOw are deſcribed the new combats of the two witneſſes (propheſie & miniſterie) with the beaſt, their martyrdome, and vindication: alſo the triumph of Antichriſtians becauſe they were killed, their aſtonishment and ruin: and at laſt (the ſeventh trumpet ſounding) the ſongs of joy and triumph of the Church in heaven; alſo the laſt judgement, the abolition of Antichriſts kingdome, with the fretting and punishment of the wicked.
Who are theſe two witneſſes, what events they doe prefigure, & of whom, is very obſcure. Interpreters indeed, every one according to his underſtanding, have learnedly thought upon ſeverall opinions. But I hardly find one, who ſatisfies himſelf and the reader. And perhaps all humane underſtanding doth here faile. For mine owne part I willingly confeſſe that herein I ſtick & come ſhort. The obſcurity chiefly conſiſts in the defining of the moneths, dayes, and moments of times, the reſolution whereof cannot fully be had, but by the bright beames of divine revelation. Yet notwithſtanding I doubt not but by bleſſing of God, the obſervation of our method will afford us ſome little light in this myſterie.
Hitherto the two former Acts of this Viſion have been Parallels, as anſwering each to other. The firſt was the propoſition of the Churches calamities under the ſound of the ſix trumpets, that is, under the heathen tyrants, hareticks, Apollyon the king of Locuſts, and Mahumet. Chap. 8. & 9. The ſecond is of the comforts of the afflicted Church under the ſaid enemies Chap. 10.
Now followes the third Act Chap. 11. unto ver. 15. which is an amplification of the foreſaid calamities, deſcribing the renewed combats of the Saintes with the Weſterne Antichriſt, The Weſterne Antichriſt more hurtfull then the Eaſterne.as beeing much more cruell and hurtfull unto the Church then the Eaſterne: conſidering how the latter tyrannized by open force and warr, killing onelyonly the bodies of them who ſubmitted not unto his yoake: whereas the other tyrannizeth over the ſoules with all deceiveableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe & lying ſignes, moreover torments the conſciences of them who enſlave themſelves unto him, with torments far worſe then any kinde of death: as we have heard in Chap. 9. But chiefly it deſcribeth the occaſion and cauſe of thoſe combats, namely the purging of the Evangelical doctrine from Antichriſtian defilements, with the reformation of the Church by the preaching of the two witneſſes in the latter times of the fift and ſixt trumpets, as alſo the ſucceſſe of the reformation, and what should happen, both to the witneſſes, and alſo to Antichriſt.
Laſtly the fourth Act is added by the ſound of the laſt trumpet, relating the happie change of all former calamities in the laſt judgement: when as Chriſt the judge, deſtroying the kingdomes of his adverſaries, will render a reward unto his ſervants, and punishment unto the wicked: Chap. XI. from verſ. 15. unto the end. This method beeing obſerved, the reaſon is plaine, why the laſt judgment is againe treated of in the end of this Chapter: now without this we grope in darkneſſe, & many imaginarie things are in vain deviſed.
The parts therefore of the Chapter are two.
I. FIrſt a propheſie of the reformation of the Church under Antichriſt, unto verſ. 15.
II. The ſounding of the laſt trumpet, from verſ. 15. unto the end.
The former part hath a twofold oracle.
The first general, commanding Iohn to meaſure the temple, that is, to purge the Church from the filth and corruptions of Antichriſt. verſ. 1. To leave out the inward court, and ſhewes the cauſe thereof, verſ. 2.
The ſecond ſpeciall: declaring the manner of the future reformation, viz. by the miniſterie of two witneſſes: conſiſting of four particulars.
I. A deſcription of the witneſſes. 1. From the time of their propheſie, & from their habit, v. 3. 2. From their dignitie & eſteem with God, v. 4. 3. From the efficacie and authority of their office, v. 5. 6.
II. Their warre with the beaſt: where 1. we have the deſcription of the beaſt, his hoſtile invaſion and victorie, ver. 7. 2. The martyrdome of the prophets, and place of reproach, v. 7. 8. 9. 3. The joyes of the wicked for the ſlaughter of the prophets, with the cauſe of this their great rejoycing, verſ. 10.
III. The avengement of the prophets: where 1. we have their reſtoring to life, verſ. 11. 2. The aſtoniſhment & feare of the wicked, ibid. 3. Their glorious aſcending up into heaven, v. 12. 4. The ſhaking and ruin of Antichriſts kingdome.
IV. An acclamatory concluſion of the end of the Churches calamities: & of judgement at hand, v. 14.
The latter part, (the ſeventh trumpet ſounding) declares the change of the Churches warfare in three particulars.
1. An heavenly triumph becauſe the kingdomes of the world were become Gods and Chriſts, ver. 15.
2. A triumphant ſong of the firſt companie, viz. of the four and twenty Elders: whoſe reverend cariage & gratulatorie hymne is recited, in which 1. they give thankes to Chriſt for freeing his Church and kingdom from the tyrannie of the adverſaries, v. 17. 2. They declare the vain fretting & wrath of the wicked hereat. v. 18.
3. They proclaime the reſurrection of the dead, with the laſt judgement, ibid.
4. They denounce rewards unto the godly and puniſhment unto the wicked, ibid. The excecution of judgement on the godly & ungodly. To the godly heaven is opened, that they might ſee Ieſus Chriſt the Ark: upon the wicked are ſent lightnings, thunders & eternal haile.