Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1

APpeared] Here begins the second propheticke part of this Book, which containes the executions done upon earth, of those celestiall decrees which were described before A woman] many circumstances induce us to understand this Vision of the Jewish Nation, and of that which hath befallen it since the Birth of Christ Clothed] the Italian, environed; that is to say, A Nation honoured with the glorious Title of People of God, environed with his presence, light, and grace Under her feet] that is to say, whose sight in the world was very variable, in increases, prosperities, decreases, failings, appearings again, &c. even as the Moon A crown] this is clearly meant by the twelve Tribes, see Genesis 37:9.

Revelation 12:2

With childe] that is to say, having the promises of the Messias, whose comming she had long before conceived by faith, and the time of the accomplishment whereof drew neer.Cried] this may be referred to the dolorous state into which the people of God were brought about the time of Christs comming, being oppressed by the Roman Empire, and sighing after their deliverance by the Messias.

Revelation 12:3

A great] A figure of the Prince of devils, working by the Roman Empire (described Revelation 13:1. with the same heads and hornes) to suppresse Christ at his Birth, which having been first attempted by Herod, made a King by the Romans, was afterwards prosecuted by their Magistrates, in¦duced thereunto by the Jewes, even to his death.

Revelation 12:4

His tail] A figurative description of the apostasie of one part of the Angels, adhering to the head of it And did cast them] that is to say, which part he drew after him in the societie of his rebellion, whereupon it was for ever banished out of Heaven, Jude 1:6.

Revelation 12:5

A man-childe] namely, Christ Jesus, in respect of his humane nature, Isai 9. 6. Was caught up] Though he died, yet was he not devoured by the devill, but did rise again, and was taken up into Reaven in glorio.

Revelation 12:6

The woman] this seemes to point at the dispersion of the Jewish Nation without any forme of common-wealth of its own, or of any Church, without any grace or blessing of God, or food of the soul, in which miserable state, it is notwithstanding preserved untill the time of its last conversion A thousand] that is to say, a certain space of limited and prefixed time, as the three yeares and an halfe of Antiochus his persecution were, Dan. 7. 25. and 12. 7.

Revelation 12:7

There was war] A figurative description of the devils judgement, renewed by Christ glorified, who hath been made the true Michael, and Head of the Angels, see Luke 10:18. John 12:31.

Revelation 12:8

Their place] that is to say, they were everlastingly banished from it.

Revelation 12:9

The devill] that is to say, a slanderer of God to men, Genesis 3:5. and slanderous, and malicious accuser of men to God, verse 10. Satan] that is to say, adversarie and accuser, Zechariah 3:1.

Revelation 12:10

Is come] that is to say, God hath undertaken to save those who are his perfectly, and to reigne powerfully in the person of his Son, having beaten down the tyrannicall usurpation of the devill.

Revelation 12:11

By the bloud] that is to say, opposing against his accusations, Christs most perfect satisfaction for their expiation, Romans 8:33-34. and persevering untill death in the faith and confession of Christ.

Revelation 12:12

To the inhabitants of] the Italian hath it, to thee O earth; other Texts have it, To ye that inhabit the earth and the sea That he hath but] namely, to execute the rest of his rage against Christs kingdom, before he be eternaly shut up in hell.

Revelation 12:13

He persecuted] this seemes should be wholly understood of the desolations of the Jewish people, after Christs Ascension into Heaven.

Revelation 12:14

Two wings] A figurative description of the miraculous meanes by which the remainder of the Jewish Nation was saved from the Romans rage, see Matth. 24. 22. Of a great] it being a very certain thing, that there is a kinde of Eagles of an unmeasurable and prodigious greatnesse Nourished] that is to say, maintained in her being A time] that is to say, A year, two yeeres, and halfe a year, which are the thousand two hundred and sixty dayes of vers. 6.

Revelation 12:15

Cast out of] that is to say, did raise up great persecutions against the Jewes on every side.

Revelation 12:16

The earth] the meaning seemes to be, that the great commotions in the Roman Empire, did cause them to let the Jewes alone in rest, and that they did not utterly destroy them.

Revelation 12:17

With the remnant] namely, with those few Jewes which were converted to the Christian faith, upon whom began the first persecution against the Church.