Jerusalem: this charge is given here, and in the next verse. The other men of the earth, in two verses. The second is th
revelation 18:3 1334
3 For all nations have drunken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich of the abundance of her pleasures. 4 1And I heard another voice from heaven say, 2Go out of her, my people, that ye be not 3partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: 5 For her sins are 1come up into heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 1Reward her, even as she hath rewarded you, and give her double according to her works: and in the cup that she hath filled to you, fill her the double. 7 Inasmuch as she glorified herself, and lived in pleasure, so much give ye to her torment and sorrow: for she saith 1in her heart, I sit being a queen, and am 2no widow, and shall 3see no mourning. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come at 1one day, death, and sorrow, and famine, and she shall be burnt with fire: for that God which condemneth her, is a strong Lord, 9 And the 1kings of the earth shall bewail her, and lament for her, which have committed fornication, and lived in pleasure with her, when they shall see that smoke of that her burning, 10 And shall stand afar off for fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city: for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 1And the merchants of the earth shall weep and wail over her: for no man buyeth their ware anymore. 12 The ware of gold, and silver, and of precious
stone, and of pearls, and of fine linen, and of purple, and of silk, and of scarlet, and of all manner of Thynewood, and of all vessels of ivory, and of all vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and of iron, and of marble, 13 And of cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and servants, and souls of men. 14 (1And the 2apples that thy soul lusted after, are departed from thee, and all things which were fat and excellent, are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more.) 15 The merchants of these things which were waxed rich, shall stand afar off from her, for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen and purple, and scarlet, and gilded with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. 17 1For in one hour so great riches are come to desolation. And every shipmaster, and all the people that occupy ships and shipmen, and whosoever traffic on the sea, shall stand afar off. 18 And cry, when they see that smoke of that her burning, saying, What city was like unto this great city? 19 And they shall cast dust on their heads, and cry, weeping, and wailing, and say, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships on the sea by her coastlines: for in one hour she is made desolate. 20 1O heaven, rejoice of her, and ye holy Apostles
18:4 1 The second prediction, which is of the circumstances of the ruin of Babylon: of these there are two kinds: one going before it: as that beforehand the godly are delivered unto the ninth verse: the other following upon her ruin, namely the lamentation of the wicked and rejoicing of the godly, unto the twentieth verse. 2 Two circumstances going before the ruin, are commanded in this place: one is, that the godly depart out of Babylon: as I mentioned, chapter 12, to have been done in time past, before the destruction of Jerusalem: this charge is given here, and in the next verse. The other is, that every one of them occupy themselves in their own place, in executing the judgment of God, as it was commanded the Levites of old, Exod. 32:27, and that they sanctify their hands unto the Lord, verses 6, 7, 8. 3 Of his commandment there are two causes to avoid the conta gion of sin, and to shun the participation of those punishments that belong thereunto. 18:5 1 He useth a word which signifieth the following of sins one after another, and rising one another in such sort, that they grew at length to such an heap that they came up even to heaven. 18:6 1 The provocation of the godly, and the commandment of executing the judgments of God, stand upon three causes which are here expressed: the unjust wickedness of the whore of Babylon, in this verse her cursed pride opposing itself against God, which is the fountain of all evil actions, verse 7, and her most just damnation by the sentence of God, verse 8. 18:7 1 With herself. 2 I am full of people and mighty.
3 I shall taste of none. 18:8 1 Shortly and at one instant. 18:9 1 The circumstances following the fall of Babylon, or the consequences thereof (as I distinguished them, verse 4) are two. Namely the lamentation of the wicked unto verse 19: and the rejoicing of the godly, verse 20. This most sorrowful lamentation, according to the person of them that lament, hath three mem bers, the first whereof is the mourning of the kings and mighty men of the earth, in two verses. The second is the lamentation of the merchants that traffic by land thence unto verse 16. The third is the wailing of those that merchandise by sea, verses 16, 17, 18. In every [one] of these the cause and manner of their mourning is described in order, according to the condition of those [that] mourn, with observation of that which best agreeth unto them. 18:11 1 The lamentation of those that trade by land, as I distin guished immediately before. 18:14 1 An apostrophe, or turning of the speech by imitation, used for more vehemence, as if those merchants, after the manner of mourners should in passionate speech speak unto Babylon, though now utterly fallen and overthrown. So Isa. 12:9, and in many other places. 2 By this is meant that season which is next before the fall of the leaf, at what season fruits ripen, and the word signifieth such fruits as are longed for. 18:17 1 The manner of mourning used by them that trade by sea. 18:20 1 The other consequent unto the other ruin of Babylon, is the exultation or rejoicing of the godly in heaven and in earth, as was noted, verse 9.
1335 revelation 19:10
Lord our God. 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath condemned the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants shed by her hand. 3 And again they said, 1Hallelujah: and that her smoke rose up for evermore. 4 And the four and twenty Elders, and the four beasts fell down, and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, Hallelujah. 5 1Then a voice came out of the 2throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard 1like a voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of strong thunderings, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord that God that Almighty one hath reigned. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made 1herself ready. 8 And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed with 1pure fine linen and shining, for the fine 2linen is the 3righteousness of Saints. 9 1Then he said unto me, Write, aBlessed are they which are called unto the Lamb's supper. And he said unto me, These words of God are true. 10 1And I fell before his feet, bto worship him, but he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and one of thy brethren, which have the
and Prophets: for God hath punished her, to be revenged on her for your sakes. 21 1Then a mighty Angel took up a stone, like a great millstone, band cast it into the sea, saying, With such violence shall that great city Babylon be cast and shall be found no more. 22 1And the voice of harpers, and musicians and of pipers, and trumpeters shall be heard no more in thee, and no craftsman, of whosoever craft he be, shall be found anymore in thee: and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more in thee. 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more in thee: and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth: and with thine enchantment were deceived all nations. 24 And in her was found the 1blood of the Prophets 2and of the Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. 19 1 The heavenly company praise God for avenging the blood of his servants on the whore. 9 They are written blessed, that are called to the Lamb's supper. 10 The Angel will not be worshipped. 11 That mighty King of Kings appeareth from heaven. 19 The battle, 20 wherein the beast is taken, and cast into the burning lake.
b Jer. 51:63
chapter 19
a Matt. 22:2
b Rev. 22:8
1 And 1after these things I heard a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 2,3Hallelujah, salvation, and glory, and honor, and power be to the
18:21 1 The third prediction, as I said verse 1, standing of a sign, and the interpretation thereof: the interpretation thereof is in 2 sorts, first by a simple propounding of the thing itself, in this verse, and then by declaration of the events in the verses following. 18:22 1 The events are two, the one of them opposite unto the other for amplification sake. There shall be, saith he, in Babylon no mirth nor joy at all, in this and the next verse, but all heavy and lamentable things from the bloody slaughters of the righteous and the ven geance of God coming upon it for the same. 18:24 1 That is shed by bloody massacres, and calling for vengeance. 2 That is, proved and found out, as if God had appointed a just inquiry, concerning the impiety, unnaturalness and injustice of those men. 19:1 1 This chapter hath in sum two parts, one transitory or of pas sage unto the things that follow unto verse 10, another historical of the victory of Christ gotten against both the beasts unto the end of the chapter, which I said was the second history of this argument, Rev. 17:1. The transition hath two places, one of praising God for the overthrow done unto Babylon in 4 verses, and another likewise of praise, and Prophetical, for the coming of Christ unto his kingdom, and his most royal marriage with his Church, thence unto the tenth verse. The former praise has three branches, distinguished after the ancient manner of those that sing: … , that is, an invitation or pro vokement in 2 verses, … , a response or answer in the third verse, and … , a close or joining together in harmony: all which I thought good of purpose to distinguish in this place, lest any man should with Porphyrius, or other like dogs, object to Saint John of the heav enly Church, a childish and idle repetition of speech. 2 Praise the Lord. 3 The proposition of praise with exhortation in this verse, and the
cause thereof, in the next verse. 19:3 1 The song of the Antiphony or response, containing an ampli fication of the praise of God, from the perpetual and most certain testimony of his divine judgment as was done at Sodom and Gomor rah, Gen. 19. 19:5 1 The second place of praise as I said verse 1, which first is com manded from God in this verse: and then is in most ample manner pronounced of the creatures, both because they see that kingdom of Christ to come, which most they desire, verse 6, also because they see that the Church is called forth to be brought home: into the house of her husband by holy marriage unto the fellowship of his kingdom, verses 7, 8. Wherefore S. John is commanded to write in a book the Epiphonema , or acclamation joined with a divine testimony, verse 9. 2 Out of the temple from God, as Rev. 11:19. 19:6 1 Without the Temple in heaven. 19:7 1 Namely unto that holy marriage both herself in person in this verse and also furnished of her spouse with marriage gifts princely and divine is adorned and prepared in the next verse. 19:8 1 As an ensign of Kingly and priestly dignity: which dignity Christ bestoweth upon us, Rev. 1:6. 2 This is a gift given by the husband for marriage sake and a most choice ornament, which Christ bestoweth upon us, as upon his spouse. 3 Good works which are lively testimonies of faith. 19:9 1 Namely the Angel, as appeareth by the next verse. 19:10 1 The particular history of this verse is brought in by occasion, and as it were besides the purpose, that Saint John might make a pub lic example of his own infirmity, and of the modest sanctimony of the Angel, who hath renounced for himself the divine honors, and recalled all the servants of God, unto the worship of him alone: as also Rev. 22:8.
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2testimony of Jesus, Worship God: for the testimony of 3Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. 11 1And I saw 2heaven open, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and he judgeth and fighteth righteously. 12 And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns: and he had a name written, that no man knew but himself. 13 And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood, and his name is called, THE WORD OF GOD. 14 1And the hosts which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed with fine linen white and pure. 15 1And out of his mouth went out a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the heathen: for he shall crule them with a rod of iron, for he it is that treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 1And he hath upon his garment, and upon his thigh, a name written, dTHE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 1And I saw an Angel stand in the 2sun who cried with a loud voice, saying, to all the fowls that did fly by 3the midst of heaven, come, and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God, 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh
of high captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all freemen, and bondmen, and of small and great. 19 1And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their hosts gathered together to make battle against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 But the beast 1was taken, and with him 2that false Prophet that wrought miracles before him, whereby he deceived them that received the beast's mark, and them that worshipped his image. These both were alive cast into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which cometh out of his mouth, and all the fowls were filled full with their flesh. 20 1 The Angel 2 bindeth Satan for a thousand years. 8 Being loosed, he stirreth up Gog and Magog, that is, privy and open enemies against the Saints, 11 but the vengeance of the Lord cutting off their insolency. 12 The books are opened, by which the dead are judged.
c Ps. 2:9
d Rev. 17:14
1 Tim. 6:15
1 And 1I saw an Angel come down from heaven, having the key 2of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he took the dragon that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and he bound him 1a thousand
19:10 2 Which are commanded to bear witness of Jesus. 3 For Jesus is the mark that all the prophecies shoot at. 19:11 1 The second place of this Chapter (as I said verse 1) is of the victory gotten by Christ against both the beasts: in which first Christ is described as one ready to fight, unto verse 16, then is showed the battle to be begun, thence unto verse 18: lastly is set forth the victory unto the end of the Chapter. In this place do shine most excellent properties of Christ as our heavenly Judge and revenger, according to his person, company, effects, and names. 2 Properties belonging to his person, that he is heavenly, judge, faithful, true, just, in this verse, searching out all things ruling over all, to be searched out of none, verse 12, the trumpet, and the very essential word of God, verse 13. 19:14 1 The company or retinue of Christ, holy, innumerable, heav enly, judicial, royal and pure. 19:15 1 The effects of Christ prepared unto battle, that with his mouth he striketh the Gentiles, ruleth and destroyeth. 19:16 1 The name agreeing unto Christ according to the former properties, expressed after the manner of the Hebrews. 19:17 1 The second member as I said, verse 11. A reproachful call ing forth of his enemies unto battle: in which not themselves (for why should they be called forth of the king of the world, or provoked being his subjects? for that is not comely) but in their hearing, the birds of the air are called to eat their carcasses. 2 That is, openly, and in sight of all, as Num. 25:4 and 2 Sam. 12:11. 3 That is, through this inferior heaven, and which is nearer unto us: a Hebrew phrase. 19:19 1 The third member (as was said, verse 11) of the victory obtained by Christ. Unto this apppertaineth two things: his bucking with the beast and his forces in this verse: and the event most magnificent, described after the manner of men, in the verses following. All these things are plain.
19:20 1 Namely, that beast with seven heads, of which before, Rev. 13:1 and 17:3. 2 That is, that beast with two heads, of which Rev. 13:11. See also Rev. 16:14. 20:1 1 Now followeth the third place of the prophetical history, which is of the victory whereby Christ overcame the dragon, as I note, Rev. 7:1. This place must necessarily be joined with the end of chapter 12 and be applied unto the just understanding thereof. This chapter hath two parts, one of the dragon overcome, unto verse 10, the other of the resurrection and last judgment unto the end of the chapter. The history of the dragon is double: First of the first victory after which he was bound by Christ unto verse 6. The second is of the last victory, whereby he has thrown down into everlasting punishment, thence unto verse 10. This first history hap pened in the first time of the Christian Church, when the dragon thrown down from heaven by Christ, went about to molest the new birth of the Church in the earth, Rev. 12:17, 18. For which cause I gave warning, that this story of the Dragon must be annexed unto that place. 2 That is of hell, whither God threw down the Angels which had sinned, and bound them in chains of darkness to be kept unto dam nation, 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6. 20:2 1 The first whereof (continuing this history with the end of chap ter 12) is the 36 year from the passion of Christ, when the Church of the Jews being overthrown, Satan assayed to invade the Christian Church gathered of the Gentiles, and to destroy part of her seed, Rev. 12:17. The thousandth year falleth precisely upon the times of that wicked Hildebrand, who was called Gregory the seventh a most damnable Necromancer and sorcerer, whom Satan used as an instrument when he was loosed out of bonds, thenceforth to annoy the Saints of God with most cruel persecutions, and the whole world with dissentions, and most bloody wars: as Benno the Cardinal reporteth at large. This is the first victory gotten over the dragon in the earth.
1337 revelation 20:13
years: 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and he shut him up, and sealed the door upon him, that he should deceive the people 1no more till the thousand years were fulfilled: for after that he must be loosed for 2a little season. 4 1And I saw 2,3seats: and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them, and I saw the souls of them that were 4beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which 5did not worship the beast, neither his image, neither had taken his mark upon their foreheads or on their hands: and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 1But the rest of the dead men 2shall not live again, until the thousand years be finished: this is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he, that hath part in the first resurrection: for on such the 1second death hath no power: but they shall be the Priests of God and of Christ, 2and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 1And when the 2thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 1And shall go out to deceive the people, which
are in the four quarters of the earth: even aGog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the Sea. 9 And they went up into the 1plain of the earth, and they compassed the tents of the Saints about, and the beloved city: but 2fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 1And the devil that deceived them, was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, where that beast and that false prophet are, and shall be tormented even day and night for evermore. 11 1And I saw a great 2white throne, and one that sat on it, 3from whose face fled away both the earth and heaven, and their place was no more found. 12 And I saw the dead, both great and small stand before 1God: and the 2books were opened, and banother book was opened, which is the book 3of life, and the dead were judged of those things, which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 1And the sea gave up her dead, which were in her, and death and hell delivered up the dead, which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
chapter 20
a Ezek. 39:2
b Rev. 3:5 Rev. 21:27
Phil. 4:3
20:3 1 Namely, with that public and violent deceit which he attempted before, Chapter 12, and which after a thousand years (alack for woe) he most mightily procured in the Christian world. 2 Which being once expired, the second battle and victory shall be, of which verses 7, 8. 20:4 1 A description of the common state of the Church of Christ in earth in that space of a thousand years, for which the devil was in bonds: in which first the authority, life, and common honor of the godly, is declared, verse 4. Secondly, newness of life is preached unto others by the Gospel, after that space, verse 5. Finally, he concludeth with promises, verse 6. 2 For judgment was committed to them, as to members joined to the head, not [that] Christ's office was given over [to] them. 3 This was a type of the authority of the good and faithful servants of God in the Church, taken from the manner of men. 4 Of the Martyrs, which suffered in those first times. 5 Of the Martyrs which suffered after that both the beasts were now risen up, Chapter 13, for these three things are expounded. 20:5 1 Whoever shall lie dead in sin, and not know the truth of God. 2 They shall not be renewed with that newness of the life by the enlightening of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. For this is the first resurrection, by which the souls of the godly do rise from their death. In the second resurrection their bodies shall rise again. 20:6 1 That whereby both body and soul, that is, the whole man is addicted and delivered unto eternal death. So Rev. 2:11. 2 A return unto the intended history, by resuming the words which are in the end of the fourth verse. 20:7 1 The second history, of the latter victory of Christ, as was said verse 1. In which are summarily described the work, overthrow and eternal punishment of Satan. 2 Of which I spake, verse 2. Then therefore shall be given unto him liberty to rage against the Church, and to molest the Saints for the sins of men: unto whom the faithful shall have associated themselves more than was meet, tasting with them of their impurity of doctrine
and life. 20:8 1 The work or act of Satan (which is the first member as I distin guished in the verse beforegoing) to deceive the whole world, even unto the uttermost nations thereof: to arm them against the people of God, in this verse, and to besiege and oppress the Church, with his whole strength, in the verse following. 20:9 1 As if he said insomuch that the whole face of the earth, how great soever it is was filled. 2 The wrath of God, consuming the adversaries, and overthrow ing all their enterprises, Heb. 10:27. And this is the second member mentioned, verse 7, the overthrow of Satan. 20:10 1 The third member, eternal destruction against those that are overcome: as I noted in the same place. 20:11 1 The second part of this Chapter, in which is described the judge, in this verse, and the last judgment in the verse following. 2 That is, a tribunal seat most Princelike and glorious: for so doth the Greek word also signify. 3 That is, Christ, before whom when he cometh unto judgment, heaven and earth shall perish for the greatness of his majesty, 2 Pet. 3:7, 10, etc. 20:12 1 That is, Christ the judge, 2 Cor. 5:10. 2 As it were, our books of reckoning or accompts: that is, the testi mony of our conscience, and of our works, which by no means can be avoided. This is spoken after the manner of men. 3 The book of the eternal decree of God, in which God the Father hath elected in Christ according to the good pleasure of his will, those that shall be heirs of life. This also is spoken according to the manner of men. 20:13 1 This is a prevention or an answer to an objection: for hap pily some man will say, but they are dead, whom the sea, death and the grave hath consumed, how shall they appear before the judge? S. John answereth by resurrection from death, whereunto all things (however repugnant) shall minister and serve at the commandment of God, as Dan. 12.
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and Omega, the beginning and the end: I will give to him that is athirst, of the well of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh, shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son. 8 But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their 1part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. 9 1And there came unto me one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come: I will show thee the bride the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and 1an high mountain, and he showed me 2that great city, that holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God, and her shining was like unto a stone most precious, as a jasper stone clear as crystal, 12 1And had a great wall and high, and had 2twelve gates, and at the gates 3twelve Angels, and the names written which are the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the East part there were three gates, and on the North side three gates, on the South side three gates, and on the West side three gates.
14 1And death, and hell were cast into the lake of fire: this is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire. 21 2 He describeth new Jerusalem descending from heaven, 6 The bride the Lamb's wife, 12 and the glorious building of the city, 19 garnished with precious stones, 22 whose Temple the Lamb is.
chapter 21
a Isa. 65:17
Isa. 66:22
b 2 Pet. 3:13
c Rev. 7:17
Isa. 15:8
d Isa. 43:19
2 Cor. 5:17
e Rev. 1:8 Rev. 22:13
1 And 1I saw aa new heaven, and a new earth: for the bfirst heaven, and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. 2 1And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride trimmed for her husband. 3 1And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them: and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be their God with them. 4 cAnd God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the first things are passed. 5 1And he that sat upon the throne, said, dBehold, I make all things new, and he said unto me, Write: for these things are faithful and true. 6 And he said unto me, e,1It is done, I am Alpha
20:14 1 The last enemy which is death shall be abolished by Christ (that he may no more make any attempt against us), 1 Cor. 15:16, and death shall feed upon the reprobate in hell for evermore, according to the righteous judgment of God, in the next verse. 21:1 1 Now followeth the second part of the history prophetical (as I said, Rev. 1 and 11:1) of the future estate of the Church in heaven after the last judgment, unto the fifth verse of the next chapter, in this are two things briefly declareth. The station, seat, or place thereof, verse 1. Then her state and condition in the verses following. Before the state of the Church described, is set down the state of the whole world, that there shall be a new heaven, and a new earth, as Isa. 65:17 and 66:12 and 2 Pet. 3:13, and this is the seat or place of the Church, in which righteousness shall dwell. 21:2 1 The state of this glorious Church is first described generally, unto verse 8 and then specially and by parts, in the verses following. The general description consisteth in a vision showed afar off, verse 2, and in speech spoken from heaven. In the general these things are common that the Church is holy, new, the workmanship of God, heavenly, most glorious, the spouse of Christ, and partaker of this glory in this verse. 21:3 1 The Church is described by the speech first of an Angel, in two verses, then of God himself in 4 verses. The Angel's speech describeth the glory of the Church by the most familiar cohabitation of God therewith, by communication of all manner [of] good things according to the covenant, in this verse: and by removing or putting far away of all evil things in the verse following. 21:5 1 In the speech of God himself describing the Church, is first a certain exordium, or entrance, verse 5. Then followeth a magnificent description of the Church, by the present and future good things of the same in 3 verses following. In the exordium God challengeth to
himself the restoring of all the creatures of which verse 1 and witness eth the calling of S. John unto the writing of these things, in this verse. 21:6 1 The description of the Church is of three sorts, by the abol ishing of old things: by the being of present things in God, that is of things eternal and by the communication of all good things with the godly, verse 6. If so be they shall strive manfully, verse 7. But the reprobate are excluded from thence, verse 8. 21:8 1 Their lot, and inheritance as it were. 21:9 1 A transition unto the particular describing of the heavenly Church by the express calling of Saint John in this verse, and his rapting up by the Spirit, in confirmation of the truth of God in the verse following. 21:10 1 He meaneth the place and stately seat of the Church, shad owed out in a mountain. 2 A type of that Church which is one, ample, or Catholic, holy celes tial, built of God, in this verse: and glorious in the verse following. This type propounded generally, is after particularly declared, verse 12, etc. 21:12 1 A particular description (as I noted, verse 2) of the celestial Church. First, by the essential parts of the same, under the similitude of a city to verse 12. Secondly, from foreign accidents, unto the end of the chapter. Thirdly, by the effects, in the beginning of the next chapter, the essential parts are noted the matter and the form in the whole work: of these the superficies and foundation of the wall are entire parts (as they use to be called) which parts are first described in figure, unto verse 14 and afterward more exactly. 2 According to the number of the tribes, of which chap. 7. For here the outward part is attributed unto the old Testament, and the foun dation of the new Testament. 3 He meaneth the Prophets, who are the messengers of God, and watchmen of the Church.
1339 revelation 22:7
25 hAnd the gates of it shall not be shut by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And the glory and honor of the Gentiles shall be brought unto it. 27 And there shall enter into it none unclean thing, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or lies: but they which are written in the Lamb's ibook of life. 22 1 The river of water of life is showed, 2 and the tree of life: 6, 7 Then followeth the conclusion of this prophecy, 8 where John declareth, that the things herein contained are most true. 13 And now the third time repeateth these words, All things come from him, who is the beginning and the end.
14 And the wall of the city had 1twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve Apostles. 15 1And he that walked with me, had a golden reed, to measure the city withal, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 1And the city lay 2foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth of it, and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof an hundred forty and four cubits, by the measure of man, that is, of the 1Angel. 18 1And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper: the second of Sapphire: the third of a Chalcedony: the fourth of an Emerald: 20 The fifth of a Sardonyx: the sixth of a Sardius: the seventh of a Chrysolite: the eight of a Beryl: the ninth of a Topaz: the tenth of a Chrysoprase: the eleventh of a Jacinth: the twelfth an Amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, and every gate is of one pearl, and the 1street of the city is pure gold, as shining glass. 22 And I saw no Temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it. 23 f,1And their city hath no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did light it: and the Lamb is the light of it. 24 gAnd the people which are saved, shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor unto it.
f Isa. 10:19
g Isa. 60:3
h Isa. 60:11
i Rev. 2:3 Rev. 20:12
Phil. 4:3
chapter 22
a Isa. 60:19
1 And 1he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and of either side of the river was the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and gave fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree served to heal the nations with. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. 4 And they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. 5 aAnd there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the Sun: for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for evermore. 6 1And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy Prophets sent his Angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be fulfilled. 7 Behold, I come shortly. Blessed is he that keepeth
21:14 1 That is, foundation stones, according to the number of the gates, as is showed verse 19. 21:15 1 A transition unto a more exquisite description of the parts of the Church, by finding out the measure of the same by the Angel that measured them. 21:16 1 The measure and form most equal, in 2 verses. 2 A foursquared figure hath equal sides, and outright corners, and therefore the Greeks call by this name those things that are steady, and of continuance and perfect. 21:17 1 He addeth this, because the Angel had the shape of a man. 21:18 1 The matter most precious and glittering which the presence of God maketh most glorious. 21:21 1 By street, he meaneth the broadest place of the city. 21:23 1 The second form of particular description (as I said, verse 12) from foreign and outward accidents: which are these, Light from God himself, in this verse, glory from men, verse 24, perfect security from all harm, verse 25. Finally such truth and incorruption of glory (verse 26) as can bear and abide with it, nothing that is inglorious, the last verse. 22:1 1 Here is absolved and finished the description of the celestial Church (as I showed before, Rev. 21:12) by the effects in 5 verses, and then this book is concluded in the rest of the chapter. The effects proceeding from God, who dwelleth in the Church are these: the everlasting grace of God in this verse, the eternal living of the godly,
as Rev. 2:7, the eternal fruits which the godly bring forth unto God, themselves and others, verse 2, freedom and immunity from all evil, God himself taking pleasure in his servants and they likewise in their God, verse 3. The beholding and sight of God, and sealing of the faithful from all eternity, verse 4, the light of God, and an everlasting kingdom and glory, verse 5. 22:6 1 The whole book is concluded and made up by a confirmation, and a salutation. The confirmation hath three places: The words of the Angel unto verse 15, the words of Christ: verses 16, 17, and the obtesta tion made by S. John from divine authority, thence unto verse 20. By speech of the Angel this prophecy is confirmed unto verse 8 and then he speaketh of the use of this book in the verses following. The prophecy is first confirmed by the Angel from the nature thereof, that it is faithful and true. Secondly from the nature of the efficient cause, both principal which is God, and instrumental, which is the Angel in this verse. Thirdly from the promises of God concerning his coming to effect all these things, and concerning our salvation, verse 7. Fourthly, from the testifica tion of S. John himself, verse 8. The rest of the speech of the angel tend ing to the same and S. John interrupted or brake off by his unadvised act of worshipping him, in the same verse which the Angel forbidding, teacheth him that adoration must be given not to him, but only to God, as for himself, that he is of such nature and office, as he may not be adored: which thing also was in like manner done, Rev. 16:10.
revelation 22:8 1340
the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 And I am John, which saw and heard these things: and when I had heard and seen, bI fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which showed me these things. 9 But he said unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the Prophets, and of them which keep the words of this book: worship God. 10 1And he said unto me, 2Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 1He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 1And behold, I come shortly, and my reward is with me, cto give to every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am dAlpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they, that do his Commandments, 1that their right may be in the tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the City.
15 For without shall be dogs and enchanters, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth or maketh lies. 16 1I Jesus have sent mine Angel, to testify unto you these things in the Churches: I am the root and the generation of David, and the bright morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come: and let him that is athirst, come: and elet whosoever will, take of the water of life freely. 18 1For I protest unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. 19 And if any man shall diminish of the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy City, and from those things which are written in this book. 20 1He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly, Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. 21 1The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, AMEN.
b Rev. 19:10
c Rom. 2:6
d Rev. 1:8
Rev. 21:6 Isa. 41:44
Isa. 34:6
e Isa. 55:1
THE END
22:16 1 The second place of confirmation, as I said, is the speech of Christ, ratifying the vocation of S. John, and the authority of his call ing and testimony, both from the condition of his own person being God and man, in whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1:20: and also from the testification of other persons, by the acclamation of the holy Ghost, who here is as it were an honorable assistant of the marriage of the Church as the spouse: and of every of the godly as members: and finally from the thing present, that of their own knowledge and accord they are called forth unto the par ticipation of the good things of God, verse 17. 22:18 1 The obtestation of Saint John (which is the third place of the confirmation, as was noted, verse 6) joined with a curse of execra tion, to preserve the truth of this book entire and uncorrupted, in two verses. 22:20 1 A divine confirmation or sealing of the obtestation: first from Christ avouching the same, and denouncing his coming against all those that shall put their sacrilegious hands hereunto: then from Saint John himself, who by a most holy prayer calleth Christ to take ven geance of them. 22:21 1 The salutation Apostolical, which is the other place of the conclusion, as I said, verse 6, and is the end of almost every Epistle: which we wish unto the Church, and to all the holy and elect mem bers thereof in Christ Jesus our Lord, until his coming to judgment, Come Lord Jesus, and do it. Amen, again, Amen.
22:10 1 The Angel returneth unto his former speech: in which he teacheth the use of this book, both towards ourselves, in this and the next verse and in respect of God for declaration of his truth, thence unto verse 15. 2 That is, propound this prophecy openly unto all, and conceal no part of it. The contrary whereunto is commanded, Isa. 8:6 and Dan. 8:26. 22:11 1 An objection prevented. But there will be some that will abuse this occasion unto evil, and will wrest this Scripture unto their own destruction, as Peter saith. What then saith the Angel, the mysteries of God must not therefore be concealed, which it hath pleased him to communicate unto us. Let them be hurtful unto others, let such be more and more vile in themselves, whom this Scripture doth not please: yet others shall be further conformed thereby unto righteous ness and true holiness. The care and reformation of these may not be neglected, because of the voluntary and malicious offense of others. 22:12 1 The second place belonging unto the use of this book, as I said, verse 10. Also (saith God by the Angel) though there should be no use of this book unto men: yet it shall be of this use unto me, that it is a witness of my truth unto my glory, who will come shortly to give and execute just judgment, in this verse: who have taught that all these things have their being in me, in verse 13, and have denounced blessedness unto my servants in the Church, verse 14, and reprobation unto the ungodly, verse 15. 22:14 1 The blessedness of the godly set down by their title and interest thereunto: and their fruit in the same.