After the accomplishment of the mystery of God by the pouring out of the seven vials, the prophet has a further and more particular vision of the same great persecuting power whose doom has been foretold. He is carried by one of the seven angels into the wilderness, and there sees a harlot riding up... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE COMMITTED FORNICATION; by their idolatrous devotion to her service. MADE DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF HER FORNICATION; an allusion to the wine-cup which harlots give to their deluded votaries. The meaning is that the inhabitants of the earth have been deluded, corrupted, and made wretched by her err... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE WILDERNESS; probably to be understood symbolically of the fact that her presence makes a spiritual wilderness. A WOMAN; representing this idolatrous persecuting power, who, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, by pretended miracles, shows, splendid decorations, indulgences, jubilees... [ Continue Reading ]
PURPLE-SCARLET-GOLD-AND PEARLS; indicating her vast wealth and luxury, and the gorgeous and splendid decorations by which she dazzled and captivated the deluded multitude. Great external parade, pomp, and show are given in the Bible as characteristics of that corrupt secular and ecclesiastical power... [ Continue Reading ]
MYSTERY; apparently indicating the symbolic character of her name.... [ Continue Reading ]
DRUNKEN WITH THE BLOOD OF THE SAINTS, AND-MARTYRS OF JESUS; expressive of the vast multitude whom she, by her inquisitions, wars, and in various other ways had caused to be put to death, because they would not yield to her seductions. I WONDERED; at the revelation which was made, and at the shamele... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS, AND IS NOT-SHALL ASCEND-GO INTO PERDITION; the beast is the Roman power considered through the whole of its duration. It WAS, as the old Roman empire, and in this form it was destroyed and ceased to be; then it ascended out of the bottomless pit as papal Rome, and in this form it shall finally... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH WISDOM; to understand the meaning of this description, and to whom it properly applies. SEVEN MOUNTAINS; on which Rome, the seat of her empire and that of the beast which supported her, was built.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE ARE SEVEN KINGS; the seven heads signify also seven kings. This is understood by many as representing the seven forms of civil government which prevailed in Rome-kings, consuls, dictators, decemvirs, military tribunes, emperors, and the exarchate of Ravenna; for here, as in verse Revelatio... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAST THAT WAS, AND IS NOT; that is, the beast in his last form ascending out of the bottomless pit, verse Revelation 17:8. IS THE EIGHTH; in the order of succession, since he comes after the other seven. IS OF THE SEVEN; he belongs to them, as being a continuation of the same power which they... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN KINGS; ten governments, which should arise out of the ruins of the old Roman empire. ONE HOUR; through one period of time. WITH THE BEAST; their rise is coincident with that of the beast. At first they give their power to the beast; but afterwards they turn against it.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE WAR WITH THE LAMB; act in open and deadly hostility to Christ and his cause.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TEN HORNS WHICH THOU SAWEST; that nations which for a time supported the persecuting power. SHALL HATE THE WHORE-MAKE HER DESOLATE-EAT HER FLESH, AND BURN HER WITH FIRE; shall turn against her, and help to destroy the persecuting power which she represented. Though she may for a time and to a g... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF GOD; those which he has uttered concerning the wickedness of this beast, or persecuting power.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT GREAT CITY; Rome; those who there exerted influence and exercised dominion over Italy, and over a great portion of the earth.... [ Continue Reading ]