_And there was given me_ By Christ, as appears from Revelation 11:3; _a reed_ As there was shown to Ezekiel, whose vision bore a great resemblance to this, Eze 40:-43. _And the angel_ Which had spoken to me before; _stood_ by me, _saying, Rise_ Probably he was sitting to write; _and measure the temp... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will give power unto my two witnesses_ Here God promises to raise up some true and faithful witnesses to preach and protest against the innovations and inventions which he foresaw would corrupt Christianity, especially in the western parts of Europe. “Of these witnesses,” says Bishop Newton,... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they shall have finished their testimony_, &c. After the description of the power and office of the witnesses, follows a prediction of those things which shall befall them at the latter end of their ministry; and their passion, death, resurrection, and ascension, are copied from our Saviour's,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the seventh angel sounded_, &c. With the sounding of this angel, _the third wo_ commences, which is rather implied than expressed, as it will be described more fully hereafter. _The third wo_ brought _on the inhabitants of the earth_, is the ruin and downfall of the antichristian kingdom: and t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the temple of God_ Bishop Newton and Grotius think that this verse should introduce chap. 12., as it appears to begin a new subject. It is somewhat like the beginning of Isaiah's vision, (Revelation 6:1,) _I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne_, &c. And like the beginning of St. John's prophetic... [ Continue Reading ]