The Interpretation

REVELATION, XVII.

of the Ten Horns. lords, &c.-anticipating ch. 13. 16. are-not in the Greek, Therefore translate, "And they that are with Him. called, chosen, and faithful (shall overcome them, viz., the beast and his allied kings)." These have been with Christ in heaven unseen, but now appear with Him. 15. (Ver. 1; Isaiah, 8. 7.) In impious parody of Jehovah who "sitteth upon the flood." [ALFORD.] Also, contrast the "many waters," ch. 19. 6, "Alleluia." The "peoples," &c.. here mark the universality of the spiritual fornication of the church. The "tongues" remind us of the original Babel, the confusion of tongues, the beginning of Babylon, and the first commencement of idolatrous apostasy after the flood, as the tower was doubtless dedicated to the deified heavens. Thus, Babylon is the appropriate name of the harlot. The pope, as the chief representative of the harlot, claims a double supremacy over all peoples, typified by the "two swords" according to the interpretation of Boniface VIII. in the Bull, "Unam Sanctam," and represented by the two keys, viz., spiritual as the universal bishop, whence he is crowned with the mitre; and temporal, whence he is also crowned with the tiara in token of his imperial supremacy. Contrast with the pope's diadems the "many diadems" of Him who alone has claim to. and shall exercise when He shall come, the twofold dominion (ch. 19. 12). 16. upon the beast-But A, B, Vulgate, and Syriac read, “And the beast." shall make her desolate-having first dismounted her from her seat on the beast (v. 3). naked

the world-power to crucify her Saviour, and then was destroyed by that very power, Rome; so the church, having apostatised to the world, shall have judgment executed on her first by the world-power, the beast and his allies; and these afterwards shall have judgment executed on them by Christ Himself in person. So Israel leaning on Egypt, a broken reed, is pierced by it, and then Egypt itself is punished. So Israel's whoredom with Assyria and Babylon was punished by the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. So the church when it goes a whoring after the world as if it were the reality, instead of witnessing against its apostasy from God, is false to its profession; being no longer a reality itself, but a sham, the church is rightly

"the little horn" in Daniel, 8. 9-12; also, "the man of sin, son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians, 2, 3-8), answers here to "goeth into perdition," and is applied to an individual, viz., Judas, in the only other passage where the phrase occurs (John. 17. 12). He is essentially a child of destruction, and hence he has but a little time ascended out of the bottomless pit, when he " goes into perdition" (v. 8. 11). "Whilst the church passes through death of the flesh to glory of the Spirit, the beast passes through the glory of the flesh to death." [AUBERLEN.] is of the seven-rather, "springs out of the seven." The eighth is not merely one of the seven restored, but a new power or person proceeding out of the seven, and at the same time embodying all the God-opposed features of the previous seven concentrated and consummated; for which reason there are said to be not eight, but only seven heads, for the eighth is the embodiment of all the seven. In the birth pangs which prepare the "regeneration" there are wars, earthquakes, and disturbances (AUBERLEN], wherein antichrist takes his rise ("sea." ch. 13. 1; Mark, 13. 8; Luke, 21. 9-11). He does not fall like the other seven (v. 10), but is destroyed, going to his own perdition, by the Lord in person. 12. ten kings...received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings... with the beastHence and from v. 14, 16, it seems that these ten kings or kingdoms, are to be contemporaries with the beast in its last or eighth form, viz., antichrist. Cf. Daniel, 2. 34, 44, the stone smote the image upon his feet," i.e., upon the ten toes, which are in v. 41-44, inter--stripped of all her gaud (v. 4). As Jerusalem used preted to be "kings." The ten kingdoms are not, therefore, ten which arose in the overthrow of Rome (heathen), but are to rise out of the last state of the fourth kingdom under the eighth head. I agree with ALFORD that the phrase "as kings," implies that they reserve their kingly rights in their alliance with the beast, wherein "they give their power and strength unto" him (v. 13). They have the name of kings, but not with undivided kingly power. [WORDSWORTH.] See AUBERLEN's not so probable view, Note, v. 3. one hour-a definite time of short duration, during which "the devil is come down to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Probably the three and a half years (ch. 11. 2, 3; 13. 5). Antichrist is in exist-judged by that world which for a time had used the ence long before the fall of Babylon; but it is only at its fall he obtains the vassalage of the ten kings. He in the first instance imposes on the Jews as the Messiah, coming in his own name; then persecutes those of them who refuse his blasphemous pretensions. Not until the sixth vial, in the latter part of his reign, does he associate the ten kings with him in war with the Lamb, having gained them over by the aid of the spirits of devils working miracles. His connexion with Israel appears from his sitting "in the temple of God" (2 Thessalonians, 2. 4), and as the antitypical "abomination of desolation standing in the Holy place" (Daniel, 9. 27; 12. 11; Matthew, 24, 15), and "in the city where our Lord was crucified" (ch. 11. 8). It is re-injure the character and person, cf. Psalm 14. 4; 27. 2; markable that IRENEUS, Hær., 6. 25, and St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Ruffinus Hist., 10. 37), prophesied that antichrist should have his seat at Jerusalem, and should restore the kingdom of the Jews. Julian the apostate, long after, took part with the Jews, and aided in building their temple, herein being antichrist's forerunner. 13. one mind-one sentiment. shall give-So Coptic. But A, B, and Syriac," give." strength-Greek, authority." They become his dependent allies (v. 14). Thus antichrist sets up to be king of kings; but scarcely has he put forth his claim when the true KING OF KINGS appears and dashes him down in a moment to destruction. 14. These shall... war with the Lamb-in league with the beast. This is a summary anticipation of ch. 19. 19. This shall not be till after they have first executed judgment on the harlot (v. 15, 16). Lord of

church to further its own ends, whilst all the while "hating" Christ's unworldly religion, but which now no longer wants the church's aid. eat her flesh-Greek plural," masses of flesh," ... "carnal possessions;" implying the fulness of carnality into which the church is sunk. The judgment on the harlot is again and again described (ch. 18. 1; 19. 5): first by an "angel having great power" (ch. 18. 1), then by "another voice from heaven" (ch. 18. 4-20), then by "a mighty angel" (ch. 18. 21-24). Cf. Ezekiel, 16. 37-44, originally said of Israel, but further applicable to the New Testament church when fallen into spiritual fornication. On the phrase, "eat...flesh" for prey upon one's property, and

Jeremiah. 10. 25; Micah, 3. 3. The first Napoleon's edict published at Rome in 1809, confiscating the Papal dominions and joining them to France, and lately the severance of large portions of the pope's territory from his sway, and the union of them to the dominions of the king of Italy, virtually through Louis Napoleon, are a first instalment of the full realization of this prophecy of the whore's destruction. "Her flesh" seems to point to her temporal dignities and resources, as distinguished from "herself" (Greek). How striking a retribution, that having obtained her first temporal dominions, the exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombards, and the state of Rome, by recognising the usurper Pepin as lawful king of France, she should be stripped of her dominions by another usurper of France, the Napoleonic dynasty! burn...with fire-the

REVELATION, XVIIL

The World's Mourning

REVELATION, XVIII.

over Babylon's Fall. and removal. BENGEL is probably right in thinking true "incense" which God loves (Psalm 141. 2; Malachi, Rome will once more rise to power. The carnal, faith- 1. 11). fine flour-The similago of the Latins. (ALFORD.] less, and worldly elements in all churches, Roman, beasts of burden: cattle. slaves-Greek, "bodies." Greek, and Protestant, tend towards one common souls of men-(Ezekiel, 27. 13.) Said of slaves. Apcentre, and prepare the way for the last form of the propriate to the spiritual harlot, apostate Christenbeast, viz., antichrist. The Pharisees were in the dom, especially Rome, which has so often enslaved main sound in creed, yet judgment fell on them as both bodies and souls of men. Though the New on the unsound Sadducees and half heathenish Sa- Testament does not directly forbid slavery, which maritans. So faithless and adulterous, carnal, worldly would, in the then state of the world, have incited a Protestant churches, will not escape for their sound- slave-revolt, it virtually condemns it, as here. Popery ness of creed. the Lord-So B, C, Syriac, and ANDREAS. has derived its greatest gains from the sale of masses But A and Vulgate omit. "Strong" is the meaning of for the souls of men after death, and of indulgences God's Hebrew name, EL. judgeth-But A, B, and C purchased from the Papal chancery by rich merchants read the past tense (Greek krinas), "who hath judged in various countries, to be retailed at a profit. [Moher:" the prophetical past for the future: the charge SHEIM III., 95, 96.) 14. Direct address to Babylon. in v. 4. to God's people to come out of her, implies, the fruits that thy soul lusted after-Greek," thy autumnthat the judgment was not yet actually executed. 9. ripe-fruits of the lust (eager desire) of the soul." dainty Lived deliciously Greek, luxuriated. The faithless-Greek, "fat:" "sumptuous" in food. goodly-"splenchurch, instead of reproving, connived at the self- did," "bright," in dress and equipage. departed— indulgent luxury of the great men of this world, and supported by none of our MSS. But A, B, C, Vulgate, sanctioned it by her own practice. Contrast the world's Syriac, and Coptic read, "perished." thou shalt-A. rejoicing over the dead bodies of the two witnesses (ch. | C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "They (men) shall no 11. 10) who had tormented it by their faithfulness, with more find them at all." 15. of these things-of the things its lamentations over the harlot who had made the mentioned, v. 12, 13. which-"who." made rich byway to heaven smooth, and had been found a useful Greek, "derived riches from her." stand afar off for tool in keeping subjects in abject tyranny. Men's the fear-cf. v. 10.) wailing-Greek, "mourning." 16. carnal mind relishes a religion, like that of the apostate And-So Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, and C church, which gives an opiate to conscience, whilst omit. decked-lit.. "gilded." stones...pearls-Greek. leaving the sinner licence to indulge his lusts. bewail "stone...pearl." Band ANDREAS read "pearls." But ber-A, B, C, Syriac, Coptic, and CYPRIAN Omit" her." A and C, "pearl." 17. is come to nought-Greek, "is de10. God's judgments inspire fear even in the worldly, solated." shipmaster-Greek, "steersman," or "pilot." but it is of short duration, for the kings and great all the company in ships-A, C. Vulgate, and Syriac men soon attach themselves to the beast in its last read, “Every one who saileth to a place" (B has "...to and worst shape, as open antichrist, claiming all that the place"): every voyager. Vessels were freighted the harlot had claimed in blasphemous pretensions with pilgrims to various shrines, so that in one month and more, and so making up to them for the loss of (A.D. 1300) 200,000 pilgrims were counted in Rome the hariot. mighty-Rome in Greek means strength; [D'AUBIGNE, Reformation]: a source of gain, not only though that derivation is doubtful. 11. shall-So B. to the Papal see, but to shipmasters, merchants, pilots, But A and C read the present, "weep and mourn." de. These latter, however, are not restricted to those merchandise-Greek, "cargo:" wares carried in ships: literally "shipmasters," &c., but mainly refer, in the ship-lading (cf. v. 17). Rome was not a commercial city, mystical sense, to all who share in the spiritual traffic and is not likely from her position to be so. The of apostate Christendom. 18. when they saw-Greek merchandise must therefore be spiritual, even as the horontes. But A, B, C, and ANDREAS read, Greek bleharlot is not literal, but spiritual. She did not wit-pontes, "looking at." Greek blepo is to use the eyes, to ness against carnal luxury and pleasure-seeking, the source of the merchants' gains, but conformed to them (v. 7). She cared not for the sheep, but for the wool. Professing Christian merchants in her lived as if this world were the reality, not heaven, and were unscrupulous as to the means of getting gain. Cf. Zechariah, 5. 4-11 (Notes), on the same subject, the judgment on mystical Babylon's merchants for unjust gain. All the merchandise here mentioned occurs repeatedly in the Roman Ceremonial." 12. (Note, ch. 17. 4) stones...pearls-Greek, "stone... pearl." fine linen A. B, and C read (Greek) bussinou for bussou, i.e., "fine linen manufacture." [ALFORD.] The manufacture for which Egypt (the type of the apostate church, ch. 11. 8) was famed. Contrast "the fine linen" (Ezekiel, 16. 10 put on Israel, and on the New Testament church (ch. 19. 81, the Bride, by God (Psalm 132. 9), thyine wood-the citrus of the Romans: probably the cypressus thyioides, or the thuia articulata. "Citron wood." [ALFORD.] A sweet smelling tree of Cyrene in Libya, used for incense. all manner vessels-Greek, "every vessel," or "furniture." 13. cinnamon-designed by God for better purposes: being an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, and a plant in the garden of the Beloved (Song of Solomon, 4. 14); but desecrated to vile uses by the adulteress (Proverbs, 7. 17). odours-describes the false church's essential character. She of incense. A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac prefix "and amomium" (a precious hair ointment made from an Asiatic shrub). English Version reading is supported by Coptic and ANDREAS, but not oldest MSS. ointments-Greek, "ointment." frankincense-Contrast the

look; the act of seeing without thought of the object seen. Greek horao refer to the thing seen or presented to the eye. [TITTMANN.] smoke-So B. C. But A reads, place." What city is like-cf. the similar boast as to the beast, ch. 13. 4: so closely do the harlot and beast approximate one another. Contrast the attribution of this praise to God, to whom alone it is due, by His servants (Exodus, 15. 11). MARTIAL says of Rome, "Nothing is equal to her;" and ATHENÆUS, "She is the epitome of the world." 19. wailing-" mourning." costliness-her costly treasures: abstract for concrete. that had ships-A, B, and C read, "that had their ships:" lit., "the ships." 20. holy apostles-So C reads. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS read, "Ye saints and ye apostles." avenged you on herGreek, "judged your judgment on (lit., exacting it from) her." "There is more joy in heaven at the harlot's downfall, than at that of the two beasts. For the most heinous of all sins is the sin of those who know God's word of grace, and keep it not. The worldliness of the church is the most worldly of all worldliness. Hence, Babylon, in Revelation, has not only Israel's sins, but also the sins of the heathen; and John dwells longer on the abominations and judgments of the har. lot, than on those of the beast. The term 'harlot'

retains her human shape as the woman, does not become a beast: she has the form of godliness, but denies its power. Her rightful lord and husband, JehovahChrist, and the joys and goods of His house, are no longer her all in all, but she runs after the visible and

The Judgment on the Harlot:

REVELATION, XIX. the Heavenly Church's Thanksgiving, vain things of the world, in its manifold forms. The people-Greek, "multitude." Alleluia-Hebrew, "Praise fullest form of her whoredom is, where the church ye JAH," or JEHOVAH : here first used in Revelation, wishes to be itself a worldly power, uses politics and whence ELLIOTT infers the Jews bear a prominent part diplomacy, makes flesh her arm, uses unholy means in this thanksgiving. JAH is not a contraction of for holy ends, spreads her dominion by sword or JEHOVAH, as it sometimes occurs jointly with the money, fascinates men by sensual ritualism, becomes latter. It means "He who Is" whereas Jehovah is *mistress of ceremonies' to the dignitaries of the world,"He who will be, is, and was." It implies God exflatters prince or people, and like Israel, seeks the help perienced as a PRESENT help; so that "Hallelujah,* of one world-power against the danger threatening sasy KIMCHI in BENGEL, is found first in the Psalms from another." [AUBERLEN.] Judgment, therefore, on the destruction of the ungodly. "Hallelu-Jah" occurs begins with the harlot, as in privileges the house of God. four times in this passage. Cf. Psalm 149. 4-9, which is 21. a-Greek, “one." millstone-Cf. the judgment on plainly parallel, and indeed identical in many of the the Egyptian hosts at the Red sea, Exodus, 15. 5, 10; phrases, as well as the general idea. Israel, especially, Nehemiah, 9. 11, and the foretold doom of Babylon, the will join in the Halleluia, when "her warfare is accomworld-power, Jeremiah, 51. 63, 64. with violence-Greek, plished" and her foe destroyed. salvation - Greek, "with impetus." This verse shows that this prophecy"The salvation...the glory...the power." and honour is regarded as still to be fulfilled. 22. pipers-flute--So Coptic. But A, B, C, and Syriae omit. unto the players. "Musicians," painters, and sculptors, have Lord our God-So ANDREAS. But A, B, C, and Coptic desecrated their art to lend fascination to the sensuous read, "(Is) of our God," i... belongs to Him. 2. worship of corrupt Christendom. craftsman-artisan. which did corrupt the earth-Greek, "used to corrupt" 23. What a blessed contrast is ch. 22. 5, respecting the continually. "Instead of opposing and lessening, she city of God: "They need no candle (just as Babylon promoted the sinful life and decay of the world by her shall no more have the light of a candle, but for a own earthliness, allowing the salt to lose its savour." widely different reason) for the Lord God giveth them (AUBERLEN.] avenged-Greek, "exacted in retribulight." For " candle." translate as Greek, "lamp.' tion." A particular application of the principle (Genebridegroom...bride...no more...in thee-Contrast the hea-sis, 9. 5). blood of his servants-literally shed by the venly city, with its Bridegroom, Bride, and blessed Old Testament adulterous church, and by the New marriage supper (ch. 19. 7, 9; 21. 2, 9< Isaiah, 62. 4, 5). Testament apostate church; also virtually, though thy merchants were-So most of the best authorities not literally, by all who, though called Christians, read. But A omits the Greek article before "mer- hate their brother, or love not the brethren of Christ, chants," and then translates," The great men of, &c., but shrink from the reproach of the cross, and show were thy merchants." sorceries-Greek, "sorcery." 24. unkindness towards those who bear it. 3. againApplied by Christ (Matthew, 23. 35) to apostate Jeru- Greck, "a second time." rose up-Greek, "goeth up.' salem, which proves that not merely the literal city for ever and ever-Greek, "to the ages of the ages." 4. Rome, and the church of Rome (though the chief repre- beasts - rather, "living creatures." sat-Greek, sentative of the apostasy), but the WHOLE of the "sitteth." 5. out of-Greek, "out from the throne" in faithless church of both the Old and New Testament A, B, C. Praise our God-Cf. the solemn act of praise is meant by Babylon the harlot just as the whole performed by the Levites 1 Chronicles, 16. 36; 23. 5, church (Old and New Testament) is meant by "the especially when the house of God was filled with the woman" (ch. 12. 1). As to the literal city. ARINGHUS Divine glory (2 Chronicles, 5, 13). both-Omitted in A. in BENGEL says, Pagan Rome was the general shambles B, C, Vulgate, Coptic, and Syriac. Translate as Greek, for slaying the sheep of Jesus. FRED. SEYLER in "the small and the great." 6. many waters-Contrast BENGEL calculates that Papal Rome, between A.D. 1540 the "many waters" on which the whore sitteth (ch. and 1680, slew more than 900,000 Protestants. Three 17. 1). This verse is the hearty response to the stirreasons for the harlot's downfall are given: (1.) The ring call "Halleluia! Praise our God," &c. (v. 4, 5). worldly greatness of her merchants, which was due to the Lord God omnipotent Greek, "the Omnipotent." unholy traffic in spiritual things. (2.) Her sorceries, or reigneth-lit., reigned: hence reigneth once for all. juggling tricks, in which the false prophet that minis- His reign is a fact already established. Babylon, the ters to the beast in its last form, shall exceed her; harlot, was one great hindrance to His reign being recf. "sorcerers" (ch. 21. 8; 22. 15), specially mentioned cognised. Her overthrow now clears the way for His among those doomed to the lake of fire. (3.) Her per- advent to reign; therefore, not merely Rome, but the secution of (Old Testament) "prophets" and (New whole of Christendom in so far as it is carnal and Testament)" saints." compromised Christ for the world is comprehended in the term "harlot." The beast hardly arises when Ver. 1-21. THE CHURCH'S THANKSGIVING IN HEA- he at once "goeth into perdition:" so that Christ is VEN FOR THE JUDGMENT ON THE HARLOT. THE prophetically considered as already reigning, so soon MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB: THE SUPPER; THE BRIDE'S does His advent follow the judgment on the harlot PREPARATION; JOHN 18 FORBIDDEN TO WORSHIP 7. glad...rejoice-Greek, "rejoice...exult." give-So E THE ANGEL: THE LORD AND HIS HOSTS COME FORTH and ANDREAS. But A reads, "we will give." gloryFOR WAR: THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET Greek, "the glory," the marriage of the Lamb is comeCAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE: THE KINGS AND The full and final consummation is at ch. 21. 2-9, &c. THEIR FOLLOWERS SLAIN BY THE SWORD OUT OF Previously there must be the overthrow of the beast, CHRIST'S MOUTH. 1. As in the case of the opening of &c., at the Lord's coming. the binding of Satan, the the prophecy, ch. 4. 8; 5, 9, &c.: so now, at one of the millennial reign, the loosing of Satan, and his last overgreat closing events seen in vision, the judgment on the throw, and the general judgment. The elect-church, harlot (described in ch. 18.), there is a song of praise in the heavenly Bride, soon after the destruction of the heaven to God: cf. ch. 7. 10, &c., towards the close of harlot, is transfigured at the Lord's coming, and joins the seals, and ch. 11. 15-18, at the close of the trumpest: with Him in His triumph over the beast. On the ch. 16. 3, at the saints' victory over the beast. And-So emblem of the heavenly Bridegroom and Bride, cf. ANDREAS. But A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic Matthew, 22, 2; 25. 6, 10; 2 Corinthians, 11. 2. Per omit. a great voice-A, B, C, Vulgate, Coptic, and AN-fect union with Him personally, and participation in DREAS read, "as it were a great voice." What a con- His holiness, joy, glory, and kingdom, are included in trast to the lamentations, ch. 18! Cf. Jeremiah, 51. 48. this symbol of "marriage; cf. Song of Solomon everyThe great manifestation of God's power in destroying where. Besides the heavenly bride, the transfigured, Babylon calls forth a great voice of praise in heaven.translated, and risen church, reigning over the earth

CHAPTER XIX.

|

The Interpretation

REVELATION, XVII.

of the Ten Horns. lords, &c.-anticipating ch. 13. 16. are-not in the Greek, Therefore translate. "And they that are with Him. called, chosen, and faithful (shall overcome them, viz., the beast and his allied kings)." These have been with Christ in heaven unseen, but now appear with Him. 15. (Ver. 1; Isaiah, 8. 7.) In impious parody of Jehovah who "sitteth upon the flood." [ALFORD.] Also, contrast the "many waters," ch. 19. 6, "Alleluia." The peoples," &c.. here mark the universality of the spi| ritual fornication of the church. The "tongues" remind us of the original Babel, the confusion of tongues. the beginning of Babylon, and the first commencement of idolatrous apostasy after the flood, as the tower was doubtless dedicated to the deified heavens. Thus, Babylon is the appropriate name of the harlot. The pope, as the chief representative of the harlot, claims a double supremacy over all peoples, typified by the "two swords" according to the interpretation of Boniface VIII. in the Bull, "Unam Sanctam," and represented by the two keys, viz., spiritual as the universal bishop, whence he is crowned with the mitre; and temporal, whence he is also crowned with the tiara in token of his imperial supremacy. Contrast with the pope's diadems the "many diadems" of Him who alone has claim to. and shall exercise when He shall come, the twofold dominion (ch. 19. 12). 16. upon the beast-But A, B, Vulgate, and Syriac read, “And the beast." shall make her desolate-having first dismounted her from her seat on the beast (v. 3). naked

"the little horn" in Daniel, 8. 9-12; also, "the man of sin, son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians, 2, 3-8), answers here to "goeth into perdition," and is applied to an individual, viz., Judas, in the only other passage where the phrase occurs (John. 17. 12). He is essentially a child of destruction, and hence he has but a little time ascended out of the bottomless pit, when he goes into perdition" (v. 8. 11). "Whilst the church passes through death of the flesh to glory of the Spirit, the beast passes through the glory of the flesh to death." [AUBERLEN.) is of the seven-rather, "springs out of the seven." The eighth is not merely one of the seven restored, but a new power or person proceeding out of the seven, and at the same time embodying all the God-opposed features of the previous seven concentrated and consummated; for which reason there are said to be not eight, but only seven heads, for the eighth is the embodiment of all the seven. In the birth pangs which prepare the "regeneration" there are wars, earthquakes, and disturbances (AUBERLEN], wherein antichrist takes his rise ("sea," ch. 13. 1; Mark, 13. 8; Luke, 21. 9-11). He does not fall like the other seven (v. 10), but is destroyed, going to his own perdition, by the Lord in person. 12. ten kings...received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings... with the beastHence and from v. 14, 16, it seems that these ten kings or kingdoms, are to be contemporaries with the beast in its last or eighth form, viz., antichrist. Cf. Daniel. 2. 34, 44, "the stone smote the image upon his feet," i.e., upon the ten toes, which are in v. 41-44, inter-stripped of all her gaud (v. 4). As Jerusalem used preted to be "kings." The ten kingdoms are not, the world-power to crucify her Saviour, and then was therefore, ten which arose in the overthrow of Rome destroyed by that very power, Rome; so the church, (heathen), but are to rise out of the last state of the having apostatised to the world, shall have judgment fourth kingdom under the eighth head. I agree with executed on her first by the world-power, the beast ALFORD that the phrase "as kings," implies that they and his allies; and these afterwards shall have judgreserve their kingly rights in their alliance with the ment executed on them by Christ Himself in person. beast, wherein "they give their power and strength So Israel leaning on Egypt, a broken reed, is pierced unto" him (v. 13). They have the name of kings, but by it, and then Egypt itself is punished. So Israel's not with undivided kingly power. [WORDSWORTH.] whoredom with Assyria and Babylon was punished See AUBERLEN's not so probable view, Note, v. 3. one by the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. So the hour-a definite time of short duration, during which church when it goes a whoring after the world as if it **the devil is come down to the inhabiters of the earth were the reality, instead of witnessing against its aposand of the sea, having great wrath, because he knoweth tasy from God, is false to its profession; being no that he hath but a short time." Probably the three longer a reality itself, but a sham, the church is rightly and a half years (ch. 11. 2, 3; 13. 5). Antichrist is in exist- judged by that world which for a time had used the ence long before the fall of Babylon; but it is only at church to further its own ends, whilst all the while its fall he obtains the vassalage of the ten kings. He "hating" Christ's unworldly religion, but which now in the first instance imposes on the Jews as the Mes- no longer wants the church's aid. eat her flesh-Greek siah, coming in his own name; then persecutes those plural," masses of flesh," i..."carnal possessions;" imof them who refuse his blasphemous pretensions. Not plying the fulness of carnality into which the church until the sixth vial, in the latter part of his reign, does is sunk. The judgment on the harlot is again and he associate the ten kings with him in war with the again described (ch. 18. 1; 19. 5): first by an "angel Lamb, having gained them over by the aid of the spi- having great power" (ch. 18. 1), then by "another voice rits of devils working miracles. His connexion with from heaven" (ch. 18. 4-20), then by "a mighty angel" Israel appears from his sitting "in the temple of God" (ch. 18. 21-24). Cf. Ezekiel, 16. 37-44, originally said of (2 Thessalonians, 2. 4), and as the antitypical "abo- Israel, but further applicable to the New Testament mination of desolation standing in the Holy place" church when fallen into spiritual fornication. On the (Daniel, 9. 27; 12. 11; Matthew, 24. 15), and "in the city phrase, "eat... flesh" for prey upon one's property, and where our Lord was crucified" (ch. 11. 8). It is re-injure the character and person, cf. Psalm 14. 4; 27. 2; markable that IRENEUS, Hær., 5. 25, and St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Ruffinus Hist., 10. 37), prophesied that antichrist should have his seat at Jerusalem, and should restore the kingdom of the Jews. Julian the apostate, long after, took part with the Jews, and aided in building their temple, herein being autichrist's forerunner. 13. one mind-one sentiment. shall give-So Coptic. But A, B, and Syriac," give." strength-Greek, "authority." They become his dependent allies (v. 14). Thus antichrist sets up to be king of kings; but scarcely has he put forth his claim when the true KING OF KINGS appears and dashes him down in a moment to destruction. 14. These shall... war with the Lamb-in league with the beast. This is a summary anticipation of ch. 19. 19. This shall not be till after they have first executed judgment on the harlot (v. 15, 16). Lord of

Jeremiah, 10. 25; Micah, 3. 3. The first Napoleon's edict published at Rome in 1809, confiscating the Papal dominions and joining them to France, and lately the severance of large portions of the pope's territory from his sway, and the union of them to the dominions of the king of Italy, virtually through Louis Napoleon, are a first instalment of the full realization of this prophecy of the whore's destruction. "Her flesh" seems to point to her temporal dignities and resources, as distinguished from "herself" (Greek). How striking a retribution, that having obtained her first temporal dominions, the exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombards, and the state of Rome, by recognising the usurper Pepin as lawful king of France, she should be stripped of her dominions by another usurper of France, the Napoleonic dynasty! burn...with fire-the