20. And every island fed away. Expressive of great and terrible judgments, as if the very earth were convulsed, and every thing were moved out of its place. See Notes on ch. vi. 14. % A.nd the movintains were not found. The same image occurs in ch. vi. 14. See Notes on that place.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail"= out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
an allusion to one of the plaguea of Egypt. Ex. ix. 22-26. Comp. Notes ch. xi. 19. For a graphic description of the effects of a hail storm, see Notes on Isa. xxx. 30, second edition. Comp. Notes on Job xxxviii. 22. ^ Every stone about the weight of a talent. The Attic talent was equal to about 55 or 56 lbs. Troy weight; the Jewish talent to about 113 lbs. Troy. Whichever weight is adopted, it is easy to conceive what must be the horror of such a storm, and what destruction it must cause. We are not, of course, to suppose necessarily that this would literally occur; it is a frightful image to denote the terrible and certain destruction that would come upon Babylon, that is, upon the Papal power. ^ And men blasphemed God. See Notes on ver. 9. f Because of the plague of the hail. Using the word plague in allusion to the plagues of ^gypt- ^ J^or the plague thereof was exceeding great. The calamity was great and terrible. The design of the whole is to show that the destruction would be complete and awful.
This finishes the summary statement of the final destruction of this formidable Antichristian power. The details and the consequences of that overthrow are more fully stated in the subsequent chapters. The fulfibrient of what is here stated will be found, according to the method of interpretation proposed, in the ultimate overthrow of the Papacy. The process described in this chapter is that of successive calamities that would weaken it, and prepare it for its fall; then a rallying of its dying strength; and then some tremendous judgment that is compared with a storm of hail, accompanied with lightning, and thunder, and an earthquake, that would completely overthrow all that was connected with it, and that sustained it. We are not indeed to suppose that thi« will literally occur; but the fair icier- pretation of prophecy leads us to suppose that that formidable power will, at no very distant period, be overthrown in a manner that would be well represented by such a fearful storm.
This chapter properly commences a more detailed description of the judgment inflicted on the formidable Antichristian power referred to in the last chapter, though under a new image. It contains an account of the sequel of the pouring out of the last vial, and the description, in various forms, continues to the close of ch. xix. The whole of this description (ch. xvii.-xix.), constitutes the last great catastrophs represented under the seventh vial (ch. xvi 17-21), at the close of which the great enemy of God and the church will be destroyed, and the church will be triumphant, ch. xix. 17-21. The image n this chapter is that of a harlot, or abandoned woman, on whom severe judgment is brought for her sins. The action -is here delayed, and this chapter his much the appearance of an explanatory episode, designed to give a more clear and definite idea of the character of that formidable Antichristian power on which the judgment was to descend.
(1) Introduction, vs. 1-3. One of the seven angels entrusted with the seven vials, comes to John saying that he would describe to him the judgment that was to come upon the great harlot with whom the kings of the earth had committed fornication, and who had made the dwellers upon the earth drunk by the wine of her fornication: — that is, of that Antichristian power so often referred to in this book, which by its influence had deluded the nations, and brought their rulers under its control.
(2) A particular description of this Antichristian power — represented as an abandoned and attractive female — in the usual attire of an harlot, vs. 3-6. She is seated on a scarlet-colored beast covered over with blasphemous names — a beast with seven heads and ten horns. She is arrayed in the usual gorgeous and alluring attire of an harlot, clothed in porple, decked with gold, and preciouj stones, and pearls, with a golden cup in her hand full of abomination and filthiness. She has on her forehead a name expressive of her character. She is represented as drunken with the blood of the saints, and is sueh as to attract attention and excite wonder.
(3) An explanation of what is meant by this scarlet-clothed woman, and of the design of the representation, vs. 7-
18. This comprises several parts:—
(a) A promise of the angel that he would explain this, ver. 7. (5) An enigmatical or symbolical representation of the design of the vision, vs. 8-14. This description consists of an account of the beast on which the woman sat, ver. 8; of the seven heads of the beast, as representing seven mountains, ver. 9; of the succession of kings or dynasties represented, vs. 9, 10, 11; of the ten horns as representing ten kings or kingdoms giving their power and strength to the beast, vs. 12, 13; and of the conflict or warfare of all these confederated or consolidated powers with the Lamb, and their discomfiture by him,
(c) A more literal statement of what is meant by this, vs. 15-18. The waters on which the harlot sat represent a multitude of people subject to her control, ver. 15. The ten horns, or the ten kingdoms, on the beast, would ultimately hate the harlot, and destroy her, as if they should eat her flesh, and consume her with fire, ver. 16. This would be done because God would put it into their hearts to fulfil his purposes, alike in giving their kingdom to the beast, and then turning against it to destroy it, ver. 17. The woman referred to is at last declared to be the great city which reigned over the kings of the earth, ver. 18. For particularity and definiteness this is one of the most remarkable chapters in the book, and there can be no doubt that it was the design in it to give such an explanation of what was referred to in these visions, that there could be no mistake in applying the description. " All that
remains between this and the twentieth chapter," says Andrew Fuller " would in modern publicationa b«
A ND there came one of the seven tx. angels which had the seven rials, and talked with me, saying into me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the
called 7iotes of illustration. No new subject is introduced, but mere enlargement on what lias already been announced." Works, vi. 205.
1. And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials. See Notes on ch. xv. 1, 7. Reference is again made to these angels in the same manner in ch. xxi. 9, where one of them says that he would show to John 'the bride, the Lamb's wife.' No particular one is specified. The general idea seems to be, that to those seven angels was entrusted the execution of the last things, or the winding up of aifairs introductory to the reign of God, and that the communications respecting those last events were properly made through them. It is clearly quite immaterial by which of these it is done. The expression ' which had the seven vials,' would seem to imply that though they had emptied the vials in the manner stated in the previous chapter, they still retained them in their hands. ^ And talked loith me. Spake to me. The word talk would imply a more protracted conversation than occurred here. ^ Come hitheji'. Gr. hv^o — 'here, hither.' This is a word merely calling the atten- ■^-ion, as we should say now ' here.' It does not imply that John was to leave ihe place where he was. ^ / will shoio thee. Partly by symbols, and partly by express statements: — for this is the way in which, in fact, he showed him. ^ The judgment. The condemnation and calamity that will come upon her. ^ Of the great xohore. It is not uncommon in the Scriptures to represent a city under the image of a woman — a pure and holy city under the image of a virgin or chaste female; a corrupt, idolatrous, and wicked city under the image of an abandoned or lewd woman. See Notes on Isa.J. 21: " How is the faithful city become an harlot." Comp. Notes on Isa. i. 8. In ver. 18 of this chapter it is expressly laid tbat "this woman is that great
2 With whom <= the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
city which reigneth over the kings of the earth;" that is, as I suppose, Papal Rome, and the design here is to represent it as resembling an abandoned female — fit representative of an apostate, corrupt, unfaithful church. Comp. Notea on ch. ix. 21. \ That sitteth upon many waters. An image drawn either from Babylon, situated on the Euphrates, and j encompassed by the many artificial j rivers which had been made to irrij gate the country, or Rome, situated on the Tiber. In ver. 15, these waj ters are said to represent the peoples, I multitudes, nations, and tongues over which the government symbolized by j the woman ruled. See Notes on that I verse. Waters are often used to symbolize nations. I 2. With ichom the kings of the earth ■■ have committed fornication. Spiritual I adultery. The meaning is, that Papal j Rome, unfaithful to God, and idolatrous I and corrupt, had seduced the rulers of \ the earth, and led them into the samo j kind of unfaithfulness, idolatry, and cori ruption. Comp. Jer, iii. 8, 9, v. 7, xiii.!27, xxiii, 14,- Ezek. xvi. 32, xxiii. 37; I Hosea ii. 2, iv. 2. How true this is in j history, need not be stated. All the ' princes and kings of Europe in the dark ' ages and for many centuries were, and j not a few of them are now, entirely under: the influence of Papal Rome. '^And the \ inhabitants of the earth have been made \ drunk with the loine of her fornication. \ The alluring cup which as an harlot she had extended to them. See this image { explained in the Notes on ch. xiv. 8. I There it is said that Babylon — referring j to the same thing — had "made them j drink of the wine of the tvrath of her fornication;" that is, of the cup that led to wrath or punishment. Here it is said; that the harlot had made them "drunk with the wine of her fornication;" that I is, they had been, as it were, intoxicated j by the alluring cup held out to them. What could better describe the influeno*
3 So he carried me away in tlie Spirit into the wilderness: and I
of Rome on the people of the world, in making them, under these delusions, incapable of sober judgment, and in completely fascinating and controlling all their powers?
3. So he carried me atoay in the Spirit. In vision. He seemed to himself to be thus carried away; or the scene which he is about to describe was made to pass before him as i/he were present. ^ Into the wilderness. Into a desert. Comp. Notes on ch. xii. 6. Why this scene is laid in a wilderness or desert is not mentioned. Prof. Stuart supposes that it is because it is " appropriate to symbolize the future condition of the beast." So De Wette and Rosenmiiller. The imagery is changed somewhat from the first appearance of the harlot in vei*. 1. There she is represented, as "sitting upon many waters." Now she is represented as ' riding on a beast,' and, of course, the imagery is adapted to that. Possibly there may have been no intentional significancy in this; but on the supposition, as the intei'pretation has led us to believe all along, that this refers to Papal Rome, may not the propriety of this be seen in the condition of Rome and the adjacent country, at the rise of the Papal power? That had its rise (see Notes on Daniel vii. 25, seq.) after the decline of the Roman civil power, and properly in the time of Clovis, Pepin, or Charlemagne. Perhaps its first visible appearance as a power that was to influence the destmy of the world, was in the time of Gregory the Great, A. D. 590-605. On the supposition that the passage before us refers to the period when the Papal power became thus marked and defined, the state of Rome at this time, as described by Mr. Gibbon, would show with what propriety the term tcildemess or desert might be then applied to it. The following extract from this author, in describing the state of Rome at the accession of Gregory the Great, has almost the appearance of being a designed commentary on this passage, or is, at any rate, such as a partial interpreter of this book would desire and expect to find. Speaking of that period, he says (Decline and Fall, iii. 207-211,): "Rome had
reached, about the close of the sixth century, the lowest period of her depreseion. By tha removal of the seat of empire, and the successive loss cf the province, the sources of private anl public opulence were exhausted; the lofty tree under whose shade the nations of the earth had reposed, was deprived of its leaves and branches, and the sapless trunk left to wither on the ground. The ministers of command and the messengers of victory no longer met on the Appian or Flaminian way; and the hostile approach of the Lombards was often felt and continually feared. The inhabitants of a potent and peaceful capital, who visit without an anxious thought the garden of the adjacent country, will faintly picture in their fancy the distress of the Romans; they shut or opened their gates Avith a trembling hand, beheld from the walls the flames of their houses, and heard the lamentations of their brethren who were coupled together like dogs, and dragged away into distant slavery beyond the sea and the mountains. Such incessant alarms must annihilate the pleasures, and interrupt the labors of rural life; and the Campagna of Itoine toas speedily reduced to the state of a dreary WILDERNESS, in zohich the land is barren, the waters are impure, and the air infectious. Curiosity and ambition no longer attracted the nations to the capital of the world; but if chance or necessity directed the steps of a wandering stranger, he contemplated with horror the vacancy and solitude of the city; and might be tempted to ask, where is the Senate, and lohere are the j)eople? In a season of excessive rains, the Tiber swelled above its banks, and rushed with irresistible violence into the valleys of the seven hills. A pestilential disease arose from the stagnation of the deluge, and so rapid was the contagion that fourscore persons expired in an hour in the midst of a solemn procession which implored the mercy of heaven. A society in which marriage is encouraged, and industry prevails, soon repairs the accidental losses of pestilence and war; but as the far greater part of the Romans was condemned to hopeless indigence and celibacy, the dcjwpidation was constant and visible, and the gloomy enthusiasts might expect the approaching failure of the human race. Yet the number of citizens still exceeded the measure of subsistence; their precarious food rat
supplied from the harvest of Sicily and Egypt; and the frequent repetition of famine betrays the inattention of the emperor to a distant province. The edifices of Rome were exj^osed to the same ruin and decay; the moiddering fabrics were easily oterthroicn by inundations, tempests and earthquakes, and the monks who had occupied the most advantageous stations exidted in their base triumph over ihe ruins of antiquity.
" Like Thebes, or Babylon, or Carthage, the name of Rome might have Been erased from the earth, if the city had not been animated by a vital principle which again restored her to honor tnd dominion. The power as well as the virtue of the apostles revived with living energy in the breasts of their successors; and the chair of St. Peter, under the reign of Maurice, was occupied by the first and greatest of the name of Gregory. The sword of the enemy was suspended over Rome; it was averted by the mild eloquence and seasonable gifts of the Pontiff, who commanded the respect of heretics and barbarians." Comp. Rev. xiii. 3,
12-15, On the supposition now that the inspired author of the Apocalypse had Rome in that state when the civil power declined and the Papacy arose in his eye, what more expressive imagery could he have used to denote it than he has employed? On the supposition — if such a supposition could be made — that Mr. Gibbon meant to furnish a commentary on this passage, what more appropriate language could he have used? Does not this language look as if the author of the Apocalypse and the author of the 'Decline and Fall' meant to i)lay into each other's hands?
And in further confirmation of this, I may refer to the testimony of two Roman Catholic writers, giving the same view of Rome, and showing that, in their apprehension, also, it was only by the -reviving influence of the Papacy that Rome was saved froii becoming a total waste. They are both of the middle ages. The first is Augustine Steuchus,
who thus writes: " The empire having been overthrown, unless God had raised cp the Pontificate, Rome, resuscitated ftnd restored by none, would have beeome uninhabitaV-Ie, and been a most
colored beast fuli of names of bias-
foul habitation thenceforward of cattle. But in the Pontificate it revived as with a second birth; its empire in magnitude, not indeed equal to the old empire, but its form not very dissimilar: because all nations, from East and from West, venerate the Pope, not otherwise than they before obeyed the Emperors." The other is Flavio Blondas. " The Princes of the world now adore and worship as Perpetual Dictator the successor not of Caesar but of the Fisherman Peter; that is, the Sup)reme Pontiff, the substitute of the aforesaid Emperor." See the original
^And I saw a icoman. Evidently tho same which is referred to in ver. 1. ^Sit upon a scarlet-colored beast. That is, either the beast was itself naturally of this color, or it was covered with trappings of this color. The word scarlet properly denotes a bright red color — brighter than crimson, which is a red color tinged with blue. See Notes on Isa. i. 18. The word here used — kokkivos — occurs in the New Testament only in the following places: Matt, xxvii. 28; Heb. ix. 19; Rev. xvii. 3, 4, xviii. 12, 16, in all which places it is rendered scarlet. See Notes on Matt, xxvii. 28, and Heb. ix. 19. The color was obtained from a small insect which was found adhering to the shoots of a species of oak in Spain and Western Asia. This was the usual color in the robes of princes, military cloaks, Ac. It is applicable in the (description of Papal Rome, because this is a favorite color there. Thus it is used in ch. xii. 3, where the same power is represented under the image of a 'red dragon.' See Notes on that passage. It is remarkable that nothing would better represent the favorite color at Rom« than this, or the actual appearance of the Pope, the Cardinals, and the priests in their xobes, on some great festival occasion. Those who are familiar with the descriptions given of Papal Rome by travellers, and those who have passed much time in Rome, will see at once the propriety of this description, on the supposition that it was intended to refer to the Papacy. I caused this inquiry to be made of an intelligent gentleman who I had passed much time in Rome — without i his knowing my design — wfa»t would
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and ' decked with gold and precious
Btrike a stranger on visiting Rome, or wliat would be likely particularly to arrest his attention as remarkable there, and he unhesitatingly replied, 'the scarlet color.' This is the color of the dress of the cardinals — their hats, and cloaks, and stockings being always of this color. It is the color of the carriages of the cardinals, the entire body of the carriage being scarlet, and the trappings of the horses the same. On occasion of public festivals and processions, scarlet is suspended from the windows of the houses along which processions pass. The inner color of the cloak of the Pope is scarlet; his carriage is scarlet; the carpet on which he treads is scarlet. A large part of the dress of the body-guard fS the Pope is scarlet; and no one can take up a picture of Rome without seeing that this color is predominant. I looked through a volume of engravings representing the principal officers and public persons of Rome. There were few in which the scarlet color was not found as constituting some part of their apparel; in not a few the scarlet color prevailed almost entirely. And in illustration of the same thought, I introduce here an extract from a foreign newspaper, copied into an American newspaper of Feb. 22, 1851, as an illustration of the fact that the scarlet color is characteristic of Rome, and of the readiness with which it is referred to in that respect: " Curious
Oostumes. — The three new Cardinals, the Archbishops of Toulouse, llheims, and Bensagon, were presented to the President of the French Republic by the Pope's Nuncio. They wore red caps, red stockings, black Roman coats lined and bound with red, and small cloaks."
I conclude, therefore, that if it be admitted that it was intended to represent Papal Rome in the vision, the precise description would have been adopted which is found here. ^ Full of names of hlaaphcmy. All covered over with lilasphcmi)us titles and names. What could more accurately describe Papal Rome than this? Comp. for some of Ihcse names and titles, the Notes on 2
stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. "
4. And the woman was arrayed in 2mrple and scarlet color. On the nature of the scarlet color, see Notes on ver. 3. The. purple color — rrofxpvpa — was obtained from a species of shell-fish found on the coasts of the Mediterranean, which yielded a reddish-purple dye, much prized by the ancients. Robes dyed in that color were commonly worn by persons of rank and wealth. Luke xvi. 19; Mark xv. 17, 20. The purple color contains more blue than the crimson, thoij[gh the limits are not very accurately defined, and the words are sometimes interchanged. Thus the mock robe put on the Saviour is called in Mark xv. 17, 20, ■iTop(pvpav — purple, and in Matt, xxvii. 2S, kokkIvtiv — crimson. On the applicability of this to the Papacy, see Notes on ver. 3. ^ And decked tcith gold. After the manner of an harlot, with rich jewelry. ^ And precious stones Sparkling diamonds, «fec. ^ And pearls. Also a much-valued female ornament. Comp. Notes on Matt. vii. 6, xiii. 46. *[[ Having a golden cxip in her hand. Aa if to entice lovers. See Notes ch. xiv. 8. ^ Full of abominations. Of abominable things; of things fitted to excite abhorrence and disgust; things unlawful and forbidden. The word, in the Scriptures, is commonly used to denote the impurities and abominations of idolatry. See Notes on Dan. ix. 27. The meaning here is, that it seemed to be a cup filled with wine, but it was in fact a cup full of all abominable drugs, leading to all kinds of corruption. How much in accordance this is with the fascinations of the Papacy, it is not necessary now to say, after the ample illustrations of the same thing already furnished in these Notes. ^ And filthiness of her fornication. The image here is that of Papal Rome, represented as an abandoned woman in gorgeous attire, alluring by her arts the nations of the earth, and seducing them into all kinds of pollution and abomination. It is a most remarkable fact that tho P&-
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY," BABY- LON THE GREAT, THE MO-
pacy, as if designing to furnish a fulfilment of this prophecy, has chosen to represent itself almost precisely in this manner — as a female extending an alluring cup to passers-by — as will be aeen by the following cut: —
Far as the design of striking this medal may have been from confirming this portion of the Book of Kevelation, yet no one can fail to see that if this had been the design, no more happy illustration could have been adopted. Apostate churches, and guilty nations, often furnish the very proofs necessary to confirm the truth of the Scriptures.
5. And upon her forehead. In a circlet around her forehead. That is, it was made prominent and public, as if written on the forehead in blazing capitals. In ch. xiii. 1, it is said that " the name of blasphemy" was written on the " heads" of the beast. The meaning in both places is substantially the same, that it was prominent and unmistakeable. See Notes on that verse. Comp. Notes on ch. xiv. 1. % Was a name written. A title, or something that would properly indicate her character. ^ Mystery. It is proper to remark that there is nothing in the original as written by John, so far as now known, that corresponded with what is implied in placing this inscription in capital letters; and the same remark may be made of the 'title' or inscription that was placed over the head of the Saviour on the cross, Matt, xxvii. 37; Mark xv. 26; Luke xxiii. 3S j John xix. 19. Our translators have adopted this form, apparently, for the sole purpose of denoting that it %ms an inscription or title. On the meaning of tb« word mystery, see Notes on 1 Cor.
ii. 7. Comp. Notes on 1 Tim. iii. 16. Here it seems to be used to denote that there was something hidden, obscure, or enigmatical under the title adopted; that is, the word Bahylon, and the word mo-^ ther, were symbolical. Our translators have printed and pointed the word mystery as if it were part of the inscription. It would probably be better to regard it as referring to the inscription thus — 'a name was written — a mysterioua name, to wit, Babylon,' <tc. Or, *a name was written mysteriously.' According to this it would mean, not that there was any wonderful 'mystery' about the thing itself, whatever might be true on that point, but that the na7ne was enigmatical or symbolical; or that there was something hidden or concealed under the name. It was not to be literally understood. ^ Babylon the great. Papal Rome, the nominal head of the Christian world, as Babylon had been of the heathen world. See Notes on ch. xiv. 8. ^ The mother of harlots, (a) Of that spiritual apostacy from God which in the language of the prophets might be called adultery, see Notes on ch. xiv. 8; (6) the promoter of lewdness by her institutions. See Notes on ch. ix. 21. In both these senses, there never was a more expressive or appropriate title than the one here employed. ^ And abominations of the earth. Abominable things that prevail on the earth. Ver. 4b Comp. Notes on ch. ix. 20, 21.
6 And I saw the woman drunk ^a • with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I
6. And I saw the tcoman drunken with:hc blood of the saints. A reeling, intoxicated liavlot — for that is the image which is kept up all along. In regard to the phrase * drunken with blood/ comp. Jer.
xlvi. 10. " The phraseology is derived from the barbarous custom (still extant among many Pagan nations) of drinking the blood of the enemies slain in the way of revenge. The effect of drinking blood is said to be, to exasperate, and to intoxicate with passion and a desire of meaning here is, that the persecuting power referred to had shed the blood of the saints; and that, in its fury, it had, as it were, drunk the blood of the slain, and had become, by drinking that blood, intoxicated and infuriated. No one need say how applicable this has been to the Papacy. Compare, however, the Notes on Dan. vii. 21, 25, and Kcv. xii. 13, 14, xiii. 15. ^ And with the hlood of the martyrs of Jesus. Especially with their blood. The meaning is, that the warfare in which so much blood was shed was directed against the saints as such, and that in fact it terminated particularly on those who, amidst cruel sufferings, were faithful witnesses for the Lord Jesus, and deserved to be called, by way of eminence, martyrs. Comp. Notes on ch. ii. 13, vi. 9, xi. 5, 7. How applicable this is to the Papacy, let the blood shed in the valleys of Piedmont; the blood shed in the Low Countries by the Duke of Alva; the blood shed on St. Bartholomew's day; and the blood shed in the Inquisition, testify. ^ And when I saw her, I xcondered with great admiration. I was astonished at her appearance; at her apparel, and at the things which were so significantly symbolized by her.
7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? He was doubtless struck with the appearance of Jjhn as he stood fixed in astonishment. The quOBtion asked him why ho wondered,
will tell thee the mystery of the woman, ^ and of the beast " that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend * out of the bottomless pit, and go
was designed to show him that the cause of his surprise would be removed or lessened, for that he would proceed so to explain this that he might have a correct view of its design. ^ I tcill tell thee the mystery of the woman. On the word mystery, see Notes on ver. 5. The sense is, 'I will explain what is meant by tho symbol — the hidden meaning that is couched under it.' That is, he would so far explain it that a just view might be obtained of its signification. The explanation follows, vs. 8-18. ^ And of the beast that carrieth her, &c., ver. 3. 8. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not. In the close of the verse it is added, "and yet is" — "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." There are three things affirmed here, first, that there is a sense in which it might be said of the power here referred to that it 'was,' or that before this it had an existence; second, that there was a sense in which it might be said that it is ' not' — that is, that it had become practically extinct;, and, third, that there is a sense in which that power would be so revived that it might be said that it 'still is.' The 'beast' here referred to is the same that is mentioned iu ver. 3 of this chapter, and in ch. xiii. 1, 2j 3, and in ch. xiii. 11-16. That is, there was one great formidable power, having essentially tho same origin, though manifested under somewhat different modifications, to one and all of which might, in their different manifestations, be given the same name, 'the beast.' ^ And shall ascend out of the bottomless pit. tK rov ajivoaov. On the meaning of the word here used, see Notes on ch. ix. 1. The meaning here is, that this power would seem to come up from the nether world. It would appear at one time to be extinct, but would revive again as?y coming from the world over which Satan presides, and would in its revived character be such as might be expected from such an origin. ^ And go into pet^ diiion. That is, its end will be dcstruc-
into perdition, " and they that dwell on the earth sha-ll -wonder, * whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
tlon. It will not be permanent, but will be overthrown and destroyed. The word perdition here is properly rendered by Prof. Stuart destruction, but nothing is indicated by the word of the nature of the destruction that would come upon it. ^ And they that dwell on the earth. The inhabitants of the earth generally; that is, the matter referred to will be so remarkable as to attract general attention. •[ Shall tconder. It will be so contrary to the regular course of events; so difficult of explanation; so remarkable in itself, as to excite attention and surprise. ^ Whose names toere not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. See this explained in the Notes on ch. xiii. 8. The idea seems to be, that those whose names are written in the book of life, or who are truly the friends of God, would not be drawn off in admiration of the beast, or in rendering homage to it. % When they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. That is, the power that once was mighty; that had declined to such a state that it became, as it were, extinct; and that was revived again with so much of its original strength that it might be said that it still exists. The fact of its being revived in this manner, as well as the nature of the power itself, seemed fitted to excite this admiration.
9. And here is the mind ichich hath tcisdom. Hero is that which requires wisdom to interpret it; or, here is a case in which the mind that shows itself able to explain it, will evince true sagacity. So in ch. xiii. 18. See Notes on that place. Prof. Stuart renders this, " Here is a meaning which compriseth wisdom." It is undoubtedly implied that the symbol mif/ht be understood — whether in the time of John or afterwards, he does not say, but it was a matter which could not be determined by ordinary minds, or without an earnest application of the cnderstanding. ^ The seven heads are 6\-ven mountains. Referring undoubtedly U Rome — the seven-hilled city — Sepii-
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads * are seven mountains, on wiich the woman sitteth,
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the
collis Itoma. See Notes on ch. xii. 3, {d) ^ On lohich the icoman sitteth. The city represented as a woman, in accordance with a common usage in the Scriptures. See Notes on Isa. i. 8.
10. And there are seven Icings. That is, seven in all, as they are entimerated in this verse and the next. An eighth is mentioned in ver. 11, but it is at the same time said that this one so pertains to the seven, or is so properly in one sense of the number seven, though in another sense to be regarded as an eighth, that it may be properly reckoned as the seventh. The word kings here — PacriSeis — may be understood, so far a» the meaning of the word is concerned, (a) literally as denoting a king, or one who exercises royal authority; (b) in i more general sense as denoting one ol distinguished honor — a viceroy, prince, leader, chief, Matt. ii. 1, 3, 9, Luke i. 5, Acts xii. 1; (c) in a still larger sense aa denoting a dynasty, a form of government, a mode of administration — as that which in fact rules. See Notes on Dan. vii. 24, where the word Icing undoubtedly denotes a dynasty, or form of rule. The notion of ruling, or of authority, is undoubtedly in the word — for the verb 0(j}(yi\cv(a means to rule, but the word may be applied to any thing in which sovereignty resides. Thus it is applied to a king's son; to a military commander; to the gods; to a Greek archon, &c. See Passow. It would be contrary to the whole spirit of this passage, and to what is demanded by the proper meaning of the word, to insist that the word should denote literally kings, and that it could not be applied to emperors, or dictators, or to dynasties. ^ Five have fallen. Have passed away as if fallen; that is, they have disappeared. The language would be applicable to rulers who have died, or who had been dethroned; or to dynasties or forms of government that had ceased to be. In the fulOhnont of this, it would be necessary to fini Jive such sxicccssive kings or
other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
rulers who had died, and who appertained to one sovereignty or nation; or five such dynasties or forms of administrations that had successively existed, but which had ceased. ^ And one is. That is, there is one — a sixth — that now reigns. The proper interpretation of this would be, that this existed in the time of the writer; that is, according to the view taken of the time of the writing of the Apocalypse (see Intro. ^ 2), at the close of the first century. ^ And the other is not yet come. The sixth one is to be succeeded by another in the same line, or occupying the same dominion. ^ And when he cometh. When that form of dominion is set up. No intimation is yet given as to the time when this would occur. ^ He must continue a short space. IXiyov. A short time; his dominion will be of short duration. It is observable that this characteristic is stated as applicable onhj to this one of the seven; and the fair meaning would seem to be, that the time would be short as comiyared with the six that preceded, and as compared with the one that followed — the eighth — into which it was to be merged, ver. 11. 11. And the beast that was, and is not. That is, the one power that was formerly mighty,• that died away so that it might be said to be extinct; and yet (ver. 8) that ' still is,' or has a prolonged existence. It is evident that by the * beast' here there is some one power, dominion, empire, or rule, whose essential identity is preserved through all these changes, and to which it is proper to give the Bame name. It finds its termination — or its last form — in what is hero called the 'eighth;' a power which, it is observed, sustains such a peculiar relation to the seven that it may be said to be ' of the seven,' or to be a mere prolongation of the same sovereignty. ^ Eve7i he is the eighth. The eighth in the succession. This form of sovereignty, though a mere prolongation of the former government •-so much so as to be in fact but keeping up th« same empire in the world, appears in such a novelty of form that in one sense it deserves to be called the eighth i.i order, and yet is so essentially » mere concentrate m and continuance
11 And the beast that was, anJ is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
of the one power, that in the general reckoning (ver. 10) it might be regarded as pertaining to the former. There was a sense in which it was proper to speak of it as the eighth power; and yet, viewed in its relation to the whole, it so essentially combined and concentrated all that there was in the seven, that, in a general view, it scarcely merited a separate mention. "We should look for the fulfilment of this in some such concentration and embodiment of all that that it was in the previous forms of sovereignty referred to, that it perhaps would deserve mention as an eighth power, but that it was nevertheless such a mere prolongation of the previous forms of the one power, that it might be said to be ' of the seven;' so that, in this vieic, it would not claim a separate consideration. This seems to be the fair meaning; though there is much that is enigmatical in the form of the expression. ^ And goeth into perdition. Notes ver. 8.
In enquiring now into the application of this very diflBicult passage, it may be proper to suggest some of the principal opinions which have been held, and then to endeavor to ascertain the true meaning.
I. The principal opinions which havt been held may be reduced to the follow ing: —
(1) That the seven kings here refer to the succession of Roman emperors, yet with some variation as to the manner of reckoning. Prof. Stuart begins with Julius Ciesar, and reckons them in this manner: the ' five that are fallen' are Julius Ccesai", Augustus, Tiberius, Caligukv, Claudius. Nero, who, as he supposes, was the reigning prince at the time when the book was written, he regards as the sixth; Galba, who succeeded him, as the seventh. Others, who adopt this literal method of explaining it, suppose that the time begins with Augustus, and then Galba would be the sixth, and Otho, who reigned but three months, would be the seventh. The expression * the beast that was and is not, who is the eighth,' Prof. Stuart regards as referring to a general impression among the heathen and among Christians, in the time of the persecution under N«ro, that he would again appear after it was reported that he was dead, or that he would rise from the dead and carry on his persecution mgain. See Prof. Stuart, Com. vol. ii. Excur. iii. The beast, according to this view, denotes the Roman emperors, specifically Nero, and the reference in ver.
8, is to " tho well-known hariolation re- Bpecting Nero, that he would be assassinated, and would disappear for a while, and then make his appearance again to the confusion of all his enemies." "What the angel," says he, " says, seems to be equivalent to this: * The least means the Roman emperors, specifically Nero, of whom the report spread throughout the empire that he will revive, after being apparently slain, and will come, as it were, from the abyss or Hades, but he will perish, and that speedily.' " vol. ii. p. 323.
(2) That the word 'kings' is not to be taken literally, but that it refers to forms of government, dynasties, or modes of administration. The general opinion among those who hold this view is, that the first six refer to the forms of the Roman government: (1) kings; (2) consuls; (3) dictators; (4) decemvirs; (5) military tribunes; (6) the imperial form, beginning with Augustus. This has been the common Protestant interpretation, and in reference to these six forms of government, there has been a general agreement. But, while the mass of Protestant interpreters have supposed that the 'six' heads refer to these forms of administration, there has been much diversity of opinion as to the seventh; and here, on this plan of interpretation, the main, if not the sole diflficulty lies. Among the opinions held are the following:—
(o) That of Mr. Mede. He makes the seventh head what he calls the "Demi- Cicsar," or the "Western emperor who reigned after the division of the empire into East and West, and which continued, after the last division under Honorius and Arcadius, about sixty years — a short space." Works, B. iii. ch. 8. V. ch. 12.
{b) That of Bishop Newton, who regards the sixth or imperial 'head' as continuing uninterruptedly through the line of Christian as well as Pagan emperors, until Augustulus and the Heruli; and the seventh to be the Dvhedom of
Rome established soon after xmder the Exarchate of Ravenna. Prophecies, pp. 575, 576.
(c) That of Dr. More and Mr. Cunninghame, who suppose the Christian emperors, from Constantine to Augustulus, to constitute the seventh head, and that this had its termination by the sword of the Heruli.
(tZ) That of Mr. Elliott, who supposes the seventh head or power to refer to a new form of administration introduced by Diocletian, changing the administration from the original imperial charade? to that of an absolute Asiatic sovereignty. For the important changes introduced by Diocletian that justify this remark, see the 'Decline and Fall,' vol. i. pp.
Numerous other solutions may be found in Pool's Synojisis, but these embrace the principal, and the most plausible that have been proposed.
II. I proceed, theii, to state what seems to me to be the true explanation. This must be found in some facts that will accord with the explanation given of the meaning of the passage.
(1) There can be no doubt that this refers to Rome — either Pagan, Christian, or Papal. All the circumstances combine in this; all respectable interpreters agree in this. This would be naturally understood by the symbols used by John, and by the explanations furnished by the angel. See ver. 18, "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." Every circumstance combines here in leading to the conclusion that Rome is intended. There was no other power or empire on the earth to which this could be properly applied; there was every thing in the circumstances of the writer to lead us to suppose that this was referred to; there is an utter impossibility now in applying the description to any thing else.
(2) It was to be a revived power; not a power in its original form and strength. This is manifest, because it is said (ver. 8) that the power represented by the beast "was, and is not, and yet is;" that is, it was once a mighty power; it then declined so that it could be said that 'it is not;' and yet there was so much remaining vitality in it, or so much revived power, that it could be said that it 'still is' — KatV/o icTtv. Now, this ia itrictly applicable to Rome -when the Papal power arose. The old Roman might had departed; the glory and strength evinced in the days of the consuls, the dictators, and the emperors, had disappeared; and yet there was a lingering vitality, and a reviving of power under the Papacy, which made it proper to say that it still continued, or that that mighty power yr&s prolonged. The civil power connected with the Papacy was a revived Roman power — the Roman power prolonged under another fDrm — for it is susceptible of clear demonstration that if it had not been for the ris3 of the Papal power, the sovereignty of Rome as such would have been wholly extinct. For the proof of this, see the passages quoted in the Notes on ver. 3. Comp. Notes on ch. xiii. 3, 12, 15.
(3) It was to be a power emanating from the * abyss,' or that would seem to ascend from the dark werld beneath. See ver. 8. This was true in regard to the Papacy, either (a) as apparently ascending from the lowest state and the most depressed condition, as if it came up from below (see Notes on ver. 3, comp. ch. xiii. 11); or (b) as, in fact, having its origin in the world of dai-kness, and being under the control of the Prince of that world — which, according to all the representations of that formidable Antichristian power in the Scriptures, is true, and which the whole history of the Papacy, and of its influence on religion, confirms.
(i) One of the powers referred to sustained the other. " The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman eitfcth," ver. 9. That is, the power represented by the harlot was sustained or supported by the power represented by the seven heads or the seven mountains. Literally applied, this would mean that the Papacy, as an ecclesiastical institution, was sustained by the civil power with which it was so closely connected. For the illustration and support of this, see Notes on ch. xiii. 2, 3, 12, 15. In the Notes on those passages, it is shown that the support was mutual; that while the Papacy in fact revived the almost extinct Roman civil power, and gave it new vitality, the price of that was that it should be in its turn sustained by that revived Roman civil power. All history shows that that has been the fact; that In all its aggressions, assumptions, and persecutions, it has in fact, and professedly, leaned on the arm of the civil power.
(5) A more importaut enquiry, and a more serious difficulty, remains in re. spect to the statements respecting the * seven kings,* vs. 10, 11. The statements on this point are, that the whole number properly was seven; that of this number live had fallen or passed away; that one was in existence at the time when the author wrote; that another one was yet to appear who would continue for a little time; and that the general power represented by all these would be embodied in the " beast that was and is not," and that might, in some respects, be regarded as an ' eighth.' These points may be taken up in theii order.
(a) The first enquiry relates to the five that were fallen and the one that was then in existence — the first six. These may be taken together, for they are manifestly of the same class, and have the same characteristics, at least so far as to be. distinguished from the ' seventh,' and the ' eighth.' The meaning of the word ' k-ings' hero has been already explained, ver. 10. It denotes ruling power, or forms of power, and so far as the signification of the xcordis concerned it might be applicable to royalty, or to any other form of administration It is not necessary, then, to find an exact succession of princes or kings that would correspond with this — five of whom were dead, and one of whom was then on the throne, and all soon to be succeeded by one more who would soon die.
The true explanation of this seems to be that which refers this to the forms of the Pcoman government or administration. These six 'heads' or forma of administration were, in their order, KiiKjs, Consuls, Dictators, Decemvirs^ Ililiturij Tribunes, and Emperors. Of these, five had passed away in the time when John wrote the Apocalypse; the sixth, the Imperial, was then in power, and had been from the time of Augustus Ca;sar. The only questions that can be raised are, whether these forms of administration were so distinct and prO' ininoit, and whether in the times pre vious to John they so embraced th* whole Roman power, as to justify thia interpretation; that is, whether theaa forms of administration were so marked in this respect that it may be supposed that John would use the language here employed, in describing them. As showing the probability that he would use this language, I refer to the following arguments, viz.: — (1) the authority of Livy, Lib. vi. c. i. Speaking of the previous parts of his history, and of what he had done in writing it, he
says, " QuoQ ab condita urbe Roma ad captam eaudem urbem Romani sub regibua primum, cousulibtis deindo ac dictatoribus, decemviris ac tribiinis consularibua gessere, foris belia, domi seditiones, quinque libris exposui." That
is, " In five books I have related what was done at Rome, pertaining both to foreign wars, and domestic strifes, from the fou-ndation of the city to the time when it was taken, as it was governed by Icings, by consuls, by dictators, by the decemvirs, and by consular tribunes.' Here he mentions yzi'c forms of administration under which Rome had been governed in the earlier pci'iods of its history. The imperial power had a later oi-igin, and did not exist until near the time of Livy himself. (2) The same distribution of power, or forms of government, among the Romans, is made
by Tacitus, Annal, lib. i. cap. 1: — " Urbem Romam a principio lieges habuere. Libertatem et Consulatum L. Brutus instituit. BicfaturcB ad tempus sumebantur. Neque Decemviralis potestas ultra biennium, neque tribunonim militum consulare jus diu vasuit. Non Cinna;, non Sylles longa dominatio: et Pompeii Crassique potentia cito in Cajsarem, Lepidi atque Antonii arma in Augustum cessere; qui cuncta, discordiis civilibus fessa, nomine Princijjis sub imperium accepit." That is, " In
the beginning, Rome was governed by kings. Then L. Brutus gave to her liberty and the Consulship. A temporary power was conferred on the Dictators. The authority of the ^ecemvirs did not continue, beyond the space of two years, neither was the consular power of the military tribunes of long duration. The rule of Cinna and Sylla was brief, and the power of Pompey and Crassus passed into the hands of Caesar, and the arms of Lepidus and Antony were surrendered to Augustus, who united all things, broken by civil discord, under the name of Prince in the imperial government."
Here Tacitus distinctly mentions the %ix forms of administration that had prevailed in Rome, the last of which was the imperial. It is true also that he mentions the brief rule of certain men — as Cinna, Sylla, Antony, and Lepidus; but these are not forms of administration, and their temporary authority did not indicate any change in the government— for some of these men were dictators, and none of them, except Brutus and Augustus, established any permanent form of administration. (3) The same thing is apparent in the usual statements of history, and the books that describe the forms of government at Rome. In so common a book as Adams's Itoman Antiquities, a description may be found of the forms of Roman administration that corresponds almost precisely with this. The forms ofsujjreyne power in Rome, as enumerated there, are what are called ordinary, and extraordinary magistrates. Under the former are enumerated Kings, Consuls, Praators, Censors, Quasstors, and Tribunes of the people. But, of these, in fact, the supreme power was vested in two, for there were, under this, but two forms of administration — that of kings and consuls — the offices of Pr^tor, Censor, Qutestor, and Tribune of the people being merely subordinate to that of the consuls, and no more a new form of administration than the offices of Secretary of the State, of War, of the Navy, of the Interior, are now. Under the latter — that of extraordinary magistrates— are enumerated Dictators, Decemvirs, unitary Tribunes, and the Interrex. But the Interrex did not constitute a form of administration, or a change of government, any more than when the President or Vice-President of the United States should die, the performance of the duties of the office of President by the Speaker of the Senate would indicate a change, or than the Regency of the Prince of Wales in the time of George III. constituted a new form of government. So that, in fact, we have enumerated, as constituting the supreme potcer at Rome, Kings, Consuls, Dictators, Decemvirs, and Military Tribunes — five in number. The imperial power was the sixth. (4) In confirmation of the same thing, I may refer to the authority of Bellarmine, a distinguished Roman Catholic 'wiiter.
la his work De Pontiff, cap. 2, he thus enumerates the changes which the Roman government had experienced, or the forms of s-dministration that had existed there: — 1. Kings; 2. Consuls; 3. Decemvirs; 4. Dictators; 5. Military Tribunes with consular power; 6. Emperors. See Pool's Synop., in loc. And (5) it may be added, that this would be understood by the contemporaries of John in this sense. These forms of government were so marked that, in connexion with the mention of the "seven inountains," designating the city, there could be no doubt as to what was intended. Reference would at once be made to the Imperial power as then existing, and the mind would readily and easily turn back to the five main forms of the supreme administration which had existed before.
(b) The next enquiry is, what is denoted by the seventh. If the word * kings' here refers, as is supposed (Notes on ver. 10), to a form of government or administration; if the 'five' refer to the forms previous to the Imperial, and the * sixth' to the Imperial; and if John wrote during the imperial government, then it follows that this must refer to some form of administration that was to succeed the imperial. If the Papacy was * the eighth, and of the seven,' then it is clear that this must refer to some form of civil administrations lying between the decline of the Inqyerial, and the rise of the Papal power; — that ' short space' — for it was a short space that intervened. Now, there can be no difiiculty, I think, in referring this to that form of administration over Rome — that ' Dukedom' umlcr the Exarchate of Ravenna, which fucceeded the decline of the Imperial power, and which preceded the rise of the Papal power: — between the year 566 or 568, when Rome was reduced to a Dukedom, under the Exarchate of Ravenna, and the time when the city revolted from this authority and became subject to that of the Pope, about the year 727. This period continued, according to Mr. Gibbon, about two hundred years. He says, " Du-
ring a period of two hundred years, Italy was unequally divided between the kingdom of the Lombards and the Exarchate of Ravenna. The offices and profesBlODfl, which the jealousy of Constantine had separated, were united by the indulgence of Justinian; and eighteen successive exarchs were invested, in the decline of the empire, lolth the fidl remains of civil, of military, and even of ecclesiastical power. Their immediate jurisdiction, tchich was afterumrds consecrated as the patrimony of St. Peter, extended over the modern Romagna, the marshes orvalleysof Ferrara and Comma* chio, five maritime cities from Rimini to Ancona, and a second inland Pentapolis, between the Adriatic coast and the hills of the Apenaine. The dutchy of Rome appears to have included the Tuscan, Sabine, and Latian conquests, of the first four hundred years of the city, and the limits may be distinctly traced along th« coast, from Civita Vecchia to Terracina, and with the course of the Tiber from Ameria and Narni to the port of Ostia."
Dec. and Fall, iii. 202. How accurata is this if it be regarded as a statement of a new power or form of administation that succeeded the imperial — a power that was in fact a prolongation of the old Roman authority, and that waa designed to constitute and embody it all! Could Mr. Gibbon have furnished a better commentary on the passage if he had adopted the interpretation of this portion of the Apocalypse above proposed, and if he had designed to describe this as the seventh power in the successive forms of the Roman administration? It is worthy of remark, also, that this account in Mr. Gibbon's history immediately jarecerfes the account of the rise of the Papacy: the record respecting the exarchate, and that concerning Gregory the Great, described by Mr. Gibbon as "the Saviour of Rome," occurring in the same chapter. Vol. iii.
(c) This was to * continue for a short space' — for a little time. If this refers to the power to which in the remarks above it is supposed to refer, it is easy to see the propriety of this statement. Compared with the previous form of administration — the imperial — it was of short duration; absolutely considered, it was brief. Mr. Gibbon (iii. 202,) ba*. marked it as extending through "a period of two hundred years;" and if this is compared with the form of administration which preceded it, extending to more than five hundred years, and more especially with that which followed — the
12 And the ■ ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet;
Papal form — which has extended now some twelve hundred years, it will be seen with what propriety this is spoken of as continuing for " a short space."
(d) " The beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven," ver. 11. If the explanations above given are correct, there can be no diflScultyin the application of this to the Papal power; for (1) all this power was concentrated in the Papacy, for all that revived or prolonged Roman power, that had now passed into the Papacy, constituting that mighty dominion which was to be Sfit up for so many centuries over what had been the Roman world. See the statements of Mr. Gibbon (iii. 207- 211), as quoted in the Notes on ver. 3. Compare, also, particularly, the remarks of Augustine Steuchus, a Roman Catholic writer, as quoted in the Notes on that
verse: " The empire having been overthrown, unless God had raised up the Pontificate. Rome, resuscitated and restored by none, would have become uninhabitable, and been thenceforward a most foul habitation of cattle. But in the Pontificate it revived as with a second hirtli; in empire or magnitude not indeed equal to the old empire, but its form not very dissimilar: because all nations, fi-om East and from West, venerate the Pope, not otherwise than they before obeyed the emperor." (2) This was an
eighth power or form of administration — for it was different, in many respects, from that of the kings, the consuls, the dictators, thi decemvirs, the military tribunes, the emperors, and the dukedom— though it comprised substantially the power of all. Indeed, it could not have been spoken of as identical with either of the previous forms of administration, though it concentrated the power which had been wielded by them all. (3) It was ' of the seven;' that is, it pert«.ined to them; it was a prolongation of the same power. It had the same central seat — Rome; it extended over the same territory, and it embraced sooner or later the same nations. There is not one of f.hose forms of administration which did not find a prolongation in the Papacy; for it aspired after, and sue- ceeded in obtaining, all the authority ot kings, dictators, consuls, emperors. It was in fact still ihQ Roman sceptre swayed over the world; and with the strictest propriety it could be said that it was 'of the seven,' as having sprung out of the seven, and as perpetuating the sway ot this mighty domination. For full illus tration of this, see the Notes on Dan.vii. and Rev. xiii. (4) It would ' go to perdition;' that is, it Avould be under this form that this mighty domination that had for so many ages ruled over the earth would die away, or this would be the last in the series. The Roman dominion, as such, would not be extended to a ninth, or tenth, or eleventh form, but would finally expire under the eighth. Every indication shows that this is to bo so, and that with the decline of the Papal power the whole Roman domination that has swayed a sceptre for two thousand five hundred years, will have come for ever to an end. If this is so, then we have found an ample and exact application of this passage even in its most minute specifications.
12. And the ten horns wJiich thou saioest. On the scarlet-colored beast, ver. 3. ^ Are ten kings. Represent or denote ten kings; that is, kingdoms or powers. See Notes on Dan. vii. 24. ^ JVhich have received no kingdom as yet. That is, they were not in existence when John wrote. It is implied that during the period under review they toould arise, and would become connected in an important sense, with the power here represented by the ' beast.' For a full illustration respecting the ten 'kings,' or kingdoms here referred to, see Notes on Dan. vii., at the close of the chapter. II. (2) ^ Rut receive power. It is not said from what source this power is received, but it is simply implied that it would in fact be conferred on them. ^ As kings. That is, the power would be that which is usually exercised by kings. ^ One hour. It cannot be supposed that this is to be taken literally. The meaning clearly is, that this would be brief and temporary; that is, it waa a form of administration which would b« succeeded by one more fixed and pcrma
13 These have one mind, and Bhall give their power and strength unto the beast.
nent. Any one can see that, in fact, this is strictly applicable to the governments, as referred to in the Notes on Daniel, which sprang up after the incursion of the Northern barbarians, and which were finally succeeded by the permanent forms of government in Europe. Most of them were very brief in their duration, and they were soon remodelled in the forms of permanent administration. Thus to take the arrangement proposed by Sir Isaac Newton, (1) the kingdom of the Vandals and Alans in Spain and Africa; (2) the kingdom of the Suevians in Spain; (3) the kingdom of the Visigoths; (4) the kingdom of the Alans in Gallia; (5) the kingdom of the Burgundians; (6) the kingdom of the Ftfanks; (7) the kingdom of the Britons; (8) the kingdom of the Huns; (9) the kingdom of the Lombards; (10) the kingdom of Ravenna — how tem2oorary were most of these; how soon they passed Into the more permanent forms of administration which succeeded them in Europe! ^ With the least. With that rising Papal power. They would excrjise their authority in connection with Jiat, and under its influence.
13. These have one mind. That is, >hoy are united in the promotion of the lame object. Though in some respects fholly independent of each other, yet ihey may be regarded as, in fact, so far flnited that they tend to prevent the same ultimate end. As a fact in history, all these kingdoms, though of different origin, and though not unfrcquently engaged in war with each other, became lloman Catholics, and were united in the support of the Papacy. It was with propriety, therefore, that they should be regarded as so closely connected with that power that they could be represented as *ten horns' on the seven-headed monster. ^ And shall give their power and ttrength unto the beast. Shall lend their influence to the support of the Papacy, and become the upholders of that power. The meaning, according to the interpretation above proposed, is, that they would all become Papal kingdoms, and ■upportors of tho Pupal power. It is unnecessary to pause to show how true this has been in history. At first, most of the people out of whom these kingdoms sprang were Pagans; then many of them embraced Christianity under the prevailing form of Arianism, and this fact was for a time a bar to their perfect adhesion to the Roman See; but they were all ultimately brought wholly under its influence, and became its supporters. In A. B. 496, Olovis, the king of the Pranks, on occasion of bis victory over the Allemanni, embraced the Catholis faith, and so received the title transmitted downward through nearly thirteen hundred years to the French kings a» his successors, of * the eldest son of the church;' in the course of the sixth century, the kings of Burgundy, Bavaria, Spain, Portugal, England, embraced the same religion, and became the defenders of the Papacy. It is well known that each one of the powers above enumerated as constituting these ten kingdoms, became subject to the Papacy, and continued so during their separate existence, or when merged into some other power, until the Reformation in the sixteenth century. All * their power and strength was given unto the beast;' all was made subservient to the purposes of Papal Rome.
14. These shall make war teiih th« Lamb. The Lamb of God — the Lord Jesus (Notes, ch. v. 6); that is, they would combine with the Papacy in opposing evangelical religion. It is not meant that they would openhj and avotoedhj proclaim war against the Son of God, but that they would practically d© this in sustaining a persecuting power. It is unnecessary to show how true this has been in history; how entirely they sustained the Papacy in all its measures of persecution. ^ And the Lamb shall overcome them. Shall ultimately gain the victory over them. The meaning is, that they would not be able to extinguish the true religion. In spite of all opposition and persecution, that would still live in the world, until it would bo said that a complete triumph was gained. ^f For he ia Lord of lordt and King q/"
15 And he saith unto me, The
kings. He has supreme power over all the earth, and all kings and princes are subject to his control. Comp. ch. xix. 16. ^ JLjic? they that are icith'him. The reference is to the persecuted saints who have adhered to him as his faithful followers in all these protracted conflicts. ^ Are called. That is, called by him to be his folllowers j as if he had selected them out of the world to maintain his cause. See Notes on Rom. i. 7. \ And chmen. See Notes on John xv. 16, and 1 Pet. i. 2. In their stedfast adherence to the truth, they had shown that they were truly chosen by the Saviour, and could be relied on in the warfare against the powers of evil. % And faithful. They had shown themselves faithful to him in times of persecution, and in the hour of darkness.
15. And he saith unto vie. The angel, ver. 7. This commences the more literal statement of what is meant by these symbols. See the Analysis of the chapter. ^ The icatera which thou sawest. See Notes on ver. 1. ^ Are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. For an explanation of these terms, see Notes on ch. vii. 9. The meaning here is, (a) that these waters represent a multitude of people. This is a common and an obvious symbol — for outspread seas or raging floods would naturally represent such a multitude. See Jer. xlvii. 2; Isa. viii. 7, 8, xvii. 12, 13. Comp. Iliad, V. 394. The sense here is, that vast numbers of people would be subject to the power here represented by the woman. (6) They would be composed of different nations, and would be of different languages. It is unnecessary to show that this, in both respects, is applicable to the Papacy. Nations have been, and are, subject to its control, and nations speaking a large part of the languages of the world. Perhaps under no one government — not even the Babylonian, the Macedonian, or the ancient Roman — was there so great a diversity of people, speaking so many different
the whore sitteth, are peoples, ' and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these ' shall hate the whore, and shall make hor
16. And the ten horns which thou eawest 1(2)011 the beast. "Ver. 3. Ths ten powers or kingdoms represented by those horns. See Notes on ver. 12. ^ These shall hate the whore. There seems to bo some incongruity between this statement and that which was previously made. In the former (vs. 12-14), these ten governments are represented as in alliance with the beast; as 'giving all their power and strength' unto it; and as uniting with it in making war with the Lamb. What is here said must, therefore, refer to some subsequent period, indicating some great change in their feelings and policy. We have seen the evidence of the fulfilment of the former statements. This statement will be accomplished if these same powers represented by the ten horns, that were formerly in alliance with the Papacy, shall become its enemy, and contribute to its final overthrow. That is, it will be accomplished if the nations of Europe, embraced within the limits of those ten kingdoms, shall become hostile to the { Papacy, and shall combine for its over I throw. Is any thing more probable than Ithis? France (see Notes on ch. xvi.) has already struck more than one heavy I blow on that power; England has been I detached from it; many of the states I of Italy are weary of it, and are ready j to rise up against it; and nothing is; more probable than that Spain, Portugal, France, Lombardy, and the Pajial states themselves will yet throw off the yoke for ever, and put an end to a power: that has so long ruled over men. It was I with the utmost difficulty in 1848 that; the Papal power was sustained, and this was done only by foreign swords; the Papacy could not probably be protected in another such outbreak. And this passage leads us to anticipate that the period will come — and that probably not far in the future — when those powers that have for so many ages sustained the desolate and naked, " and shall eat her flesh, and '' burn her with fire. 17 For God « hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the
Papacy will become its determined foes,.*iid -will rise in their might and bring it fow" ever to an end. ^ And shall make her t^eaolate and naked. Strip her of all her power and all her attractiveness. That is, applied to Papal Rome, all that is so gorgeous and alluring — her wealth, and pomp, and splendor — shall be taken away, and she will be seen as she is, without any thing to dazzle the eye or to blind the mind. ^ Aiid shall eat her flesh. Shall completely destroy her — as i/'her flesh were consumed. Perhaps the image is taken from the practices of cannibals eating the flesh of their enemies slain in battle. If so, nothing could give a more impressive idea of the utter destruction of this formidable power, or of the feelings of those by whom its end would be brought about. ^ And hum Tier xDith fire. Another image of total destruction. Perhaps the meaning may be, that after her flesh was eaten, such parts of her as remained would be thrown into the fire and consumed. If this be the meaning, the image is a very impressive one to denote absolute and total destruction. Comp. Notes on eh. xviii. 8. 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will. That is, in regard to the destruction of this mighty power. They would be employed as his agents in bringing about his designs. Kings and princes are under the control of God, and, whatever may be their own designs, they are in fact employed to accomplish his purposes, and are instruments in his hands. See Notes on Isa. X. 7. Comp. Ps. Ixxvi. 10. ^ And to agree. See ver. 13. That is, they act harmoniously in their support of this power, and so they will in its final destruction. *[[ A7id give their Mngdom unto the beast. Notes ver. 13. *[ Until the words of God shall he fulfilled. Not for ever; not as a permanent arrangement. God has fixed a limit to the existence of this power. When his purposes are accomplished, these kingdoms will withdraw their support, and this naighty power will fall to rise no more.
beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, • which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
18. And the icoman tchich thou satoest. Ver. 3. % Is that great city. Represents that great city. ^ Which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Rome would of course be understood by this language in the time of John, and all the circumstances, as we have seen, combine to show that Rome, in some form of its dominion, is intended. Even the na7ne could hardly have designated it more clearly, and all expositors agree in supposing that Rome, either as Pagan or as Christian, is referred to. The chaptei shows that its power is limited; and that although, for purposes which he saw to be wise, God allows it to have s wide influence over the nations of the earth, yet in his own appointed time the very powers that have sustained it will become its foes, and combine for itsoverthrow. Europe needs but littlo farther provocation, and the fires of liberty, which have been so long pent up, will break forth, and that storm of indignation which has expelled the Jesuits from all the courts of Europe; which has abolished the Inquisition; which has more than once led hostile armies to the very gates of Papal Rome, will again be aroused in a manner which cannot be allayed, and that mighty power which has controlled so large a part of the nations of Europe for more than a thousand years of the world's history, will come to an end.
This chapter may be regarded as a still further explanatory episode (comp. Anal, to ch. xvii.), designed to show the effect of pouring out the seventh vial (ch. xvi. 17-21) on the formidable Antichristian power so often referred to. The description in this chapter is that of a rich merchant-city reduced to desolation, and is but carrying out the general idea unf^<^ a diflerent form. The chapter comprises the following points:
AND after these things I saw another angel come down from hearen, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.*
2 And he cried mightily with a
from heaven, having great power, and makiflg proclamation that Babylon the great is fallen, and is become utterly desolate, vs. 1-3.
(2) A warning voice is heard from heaven, calling on the people of God to come out of her, and to be partakers neither of her sins nor her plagues. Her torment and sorrow would be proportionate to her pride and luxury; and her plagues would come upon her suddenly— death, and mourning, and famine, and consumption by fire, vs. 4—8.
(3) Lamentation over her fall — by those especially who had been connected with her; who had been corrupted by her; who had been profited by her, vs.
(a) By kings, vs. 9, 10. They had lived deliciously with her, and they would lament her.
(6) By merchants, vs. 11-17. They had trafiicked with her, but now that traffic was to cease, and no man would buy of her. Their business, so far as she was concerned, was at an end. All that she had accumulated was now to be destroyed; all her gathered riches were to be consumed; all the traffic in those things by which she had been enriched was to be ended; and the city that was more than all others enriched by these things, as if clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, was to be destroyed for ever.
(c) By shipmasters and seamen, vs. 17-19. They bad been made rich by this traffic, but now all was ended; the smcke of her burning is seen to ascend, and they stand afar off and weep.
(4) Rejoicing over her fall, ver. 20, Heaven is called upon to rejoice, and the hcly apostles and prophets, for their blood is avenged, and persecution ceases in the earth.
strong voice, saying, Babylon * the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become " the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
(5) The final destruction of the city, vs. 21-24. A mighty angel takes up a stone and casts it into the sea as iin emblem of the destruction that is to come upon it. The voice of harpers, and musicians, and pipers would be heard no more in it; and no craftsmen would be there, and the sound of the millstone would be heard no more, and the light of a candle would shine no more there, and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride would be heard no more.
1. And after these things. After the vision referred to in the previous chapter. •[ / saio another angel come doicn from heaven. Different from the one that had last appeared, and therefore coming to make a new communication to him. It is not unusual in this book that different communications should be entrusted to different angels. Comp. ch. ^W. 6, 8, 9, 15, 17, 18. ^ ffaving great power. That is, he was one of the higher rank or order of angels. ^ And the earth teas lightened tvith his glory. The usual representation respecting the heavenly beings. Comp. Luke ii. 9 j Ex. xxiv. 16; Acts ix. 3; Matt. xvii. 2. This would, of course, add greatly to the magnificence of the scene.
2. And he cried mightily. Literally, 'he cried with a strong great voice.* See ch. x. 3. ^ Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. See Notes on ch. xiv. 8. The proclamation here is substantially the same as in that place, and no doubt the same thing is referred to. ^f -^"^ ^'* become the habitation of devils. Of demons — in allusion to the common opinion that the demons inhabited abandoned cities, old ruins, and deserts. See Notes on Matt. xii. 43-45. The language here is taken from the description of Babylon in Isa. xiii. 20-22, and for a full illustration of the meaning, see Notes on that passage. ^ And the hold of every foul spirit — 0wXa(c^. A watchpost, station, haunt of such spirits.
3 For all nations have drunk " 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
That is, they, as it were, kept guard there,• were stationed there; haunted the place. ^ And a cage of every unclean and liatefid bird. That is, they would resort there, and abide there as in a cage. The word translated ' cage' is the same which is rendered 'hold' — ^uXacr;, In Isa, xiii. 21, it is said, <and owls shall dwell there;' and in Isa. xiv. 23, it is said that it would be a ' possession for the bittern.' The idea is that of utter desolation; and the meaning here is, that spiritual Babylon — Papal Rome (eh, xiv. 8) will be reduced to a state of utter desolation resembling that of the real Babylon. It is not necessary to suppose this of the citi/ of Rome itself— for that is not the object of the representation. It is the Papacy, represented under the image of the city, and having its seat there. That is to be destroyed as utterly as was Babylon of old; that will become as odious, and loathsome, and detestable as the literal Babylon, the abode of monsters, is.
3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. See Notes on eh. xiv. 8. This is given as a reason why this utter ruin had come upon her. She had beguiled and corrupted the nations of the earth, leading them into estrangement from God, and into pollution and sin. See Notes on ch. ix. 20, 21. % And the kings of the earth have comtnitted fornication with her. Spiritual adultery; that is, she has been the means of seducing them from God and leading them into sinful practices. ^ And the merchants of the earth are vmxcd rich through the abundance of her delicacies. The word rendered * abundance' here, means commonly ^joicer. It might here denote influence, though it may also mean number, quantity, wealth. Comp. ch. iii. 8, where the same word is used. The word rendered delicacies — m-fTivoi — occurs nowhere else in the new Testament. It properly means rud<:rif8», insolence, prjrfe / and hence rm>tl, riot, luxury. It may bo rendered
earth are waxed rich through the abundance "= of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out * of her, my people, that ye be not par-
here properly luxury, or proud voluptuousness; and the reference is to such luxuries as are found comm«nly in a great, a gay, and a splendid city. These, of course, give rise to much traffic, and furnish employment to many merchants and sailors, who thus procure a livelihood, or become wealthy as the result of such traffic. Babylon — or Papal Rome — is here represented under the image of such a luxurious city; and of course when she falls they who have thus been dependent on her, and who have been enriched by her, have occasion for mourning and lamentation. It is not necessary to expect to find a litei-al fulfilment of this, for it is emblematic and symbolical. The image of a great, rich, splendid, proud, and luxurious city having been employed to denote that Antichristian power, all that is said in this chapter follows, of course, on its fall. The general idea is, that she was doomed to utter desolation, and that all who were connected with her, far and near, would be involved iu her ruin.
4. And 1 heard another voice from heaven. He does not say whether this was the voice of an angel, but the idea seems rather to be that it is the voice of God. ^ Coine out of her, my 2)cnplc. The reasons for this, as immediately stated, are two: — (a) that they might not participate in her sins; and (6) that they might not be involved in the ruin that would come upon her. The language seems to be derived from such passages in tho Old Testament as the following: Isa. xlviii. 20, " Go ye forth of Babylon, fleo from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing." Jer. li. 6, "Flee out of tho midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul; be not cut off in her iniquity." Jer. li. 45, " My people, go ye out out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord." Comp. Jer. 1. 8. ^ That ye be not partakers of her sins. For tho moaning of this expres-
takers of her s'lr.s, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached" unto heaven, and Grod hath rememoered * her iniquities.
sion, see Notes on 1 Tim. v. 22. It is implied here that by remaining in Babylon they would lend their sanction to its sins by their presence, and would, in all probability, become contaminated by the influence around them. This is an universal truth in regard to iniquity, and hence it is the duty of those who would be pure to come out from the world, and to separate themselves from all the associations of evil. ^ And that ye receive not of her ^)?«j/Mes. Of the punishment that was to come upon her — as they must certainly do if they remained in her. The judgment of God that was to come upon the guilty city would make no discrimination among those who were found there; and if they would escape these woes, they must make their escape from her. As applicable to Papal Kome, in view of her impending ruin, this means (o) that there might be found in her some who were the true people of God; (b) that it was their duty to separate wholly from her: a command that will not only justify the Reformation, but which would have made a longer continuance in communion with the Papacy, when her wickedness was fully seen, an act of guilt before God; ^c) that they who remain in such a communion cannot but be regarded as partaking of her sin; and (d) that if they remain, they must expect to be involved in the calamities that will come upon her. There never was any duty plainer than that of withdrawing from Papal Rome; there never has been any act attended with more happy consequences than that by which the Protestant world separated itself for ever from the sins and the xilagues of the Papacy.
5. For her sins have reached nnto heave}'.. So in Jer. li. 0, speaking of Babyion, it is said, " for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies." The meaning is not that the «ins of this mystical Babylon were like
•A\arded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so
a mass or pile so high as to reach to heaven, but that it had become so prominent as to attract the attention of God. Comp. Gen. iv. 10, " The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground." See also Gen. xviii. 20. ^ And God hath remembered her iniquities. He had seemed to forget them or not to notice them, but now he acted as if they had come to his recollection. See Notes on ch. xvi. 19.
6. Beicard her even as she rewarded you. It is not said to whom this command is addressed, but it would seem to be to those who had been persecuted and wronged. Applied to mystical Babylon — Papal Rome — it would seem to be a call on the nations that had been so long under her sway, and among whom, from time to time, so much blood had been shed by her, to arise now in their might, and to inflict deserved vengeance. See Notes on ch. xvii. 16, 17. ^ And double xinto her double according to her works. That is, bring upon her double the amount of calamity which she has brought upon others; take ample vengeance upon her. Comp. for similar language, Isa. xl. 2. " She hath received of the Lord's hand doxible for all her sins." Isa. Ixi. 7. " For your shame ye shall have double." ^ In the cuj) which she hath filled. To bring wrath on others. Notes ch. xiv. 8. ^ Fill to her double. Let her drink abundantly of the wine of the wrath of God — double that which she has dealt out to others. That is, either let the quantify administered to her be doubled, or let the ingredients in the cup be doubled in intensity.
7. Hoio much she has glorified herself. Been proud, boastful, arrogant. This was true of ancient Babylon that she was proud and haughty; and it has been no less true of mystical Babj'lon — Papal Rome. ^\ And lived deliciously. By aa much as she hfis lived in luxury and dissoluteness, so let her suffer now. The word used here and rendered lived deli*
mucli torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a " queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues
eiously — ecTpriviaae — is derived from the noun — cTpTivos — which is used in ver. 3, and rendered delicacies. See Notes on that verse. It means, properly, ' to live strenuously, rudely,' as in English * to live hard;' and then to revel, to live in luxury, riot, dissoluteness. No one can doubt the propriety of this as descriptive of ancient Babylon, and as little can its propriety be doubted as applied to Papal Rome. ^ So much torment and sorroio give her. Let her punishment correspond with her sins. This is expressing substantially the same idea which occurs in the previous verse. ^ For she saith in her heart. This is the estimate which she forms of herself. ^ / sit a queen. Indicative of pride, and of an asserted claim to rule. ^ And am noicidow. Am not in the condition of a widow — a state of depression, sorrow, and mourning. All this indicates security and self-confidence, a description in any way applicable to Papal Rome. ^ And shall see no Borrow. This is indicative of a state where there was nothing feared, notwithstanding all the indications which existed of approaching calamity. In this state we may expect to find Papal Rome, even when its last judgments are about to come upon it; in this state it has usually been; in this state it is now, notwithetanding all the indications that are abroad in the world that its power is waning, and that the period of its fall approaches.
8. Therefore. In consequence of her prido, arrogance, and luxury, and of the calamities that she has brought upon others. ^ Shall her plagues come in one day. They shall come in a time when she is living in case and security; and they shall come at the same time — so that all these terrible judgments shall Beera t> be poured upon her at once. ^ Den/,).. This expression and those which follow are designed to denote the same thing under different images. The gf^ncral meaning is, that there would be utter and final destruction. It would be at if death should come and cut off the
come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly ^ burned with fire: foi strong <= is the 'Lord God who judgeth her.
inhabitants. ^ A7id mourning. As there would be where many were cut off by death. ^ And famine. As if famine raged within the walls of a besieged city, or spread over a land. ^ And she shall be utterly burned with fire. As completely destroyed as if she were entirely burned up. The certain and complete destruction of that formidable Antichristian power is predicted under a great variety of emphatic images. See ch. xiv. 10, 11, xvi. 17-21, xvii. 9, 16. Perhaps in this so frequent reference to a final destruction of that formidable Antichristian power by fire, there may be more intended than merely a figurative representation of its final ruin. There is some degree of probability at least that Rome itself will be literally destroyed in this manner, and that it is in this way that God intends to put an end to the Papal power, by destroying that which has been so long the seat and the centre of this authority. The extended prevalence of this belief, and the grounds for it, may be seen from the following remarks: (1) It was an early opinion among the Jewish Rabbles that Rome would be thus destroyed. Vitringa, in the Apocalypse, cites some opinions of this kind; the Jewish expectation being founded, as he says, on the passage in Isa. xxxiv. 9, as Edom was supposed to mean Rome. " This chapter," says Kimchi, '•' points out the future destruction of Rome, here called Bozra, for Bozra was a great city of the Edomites." This is indeed worthless as a proof or an interpretation of Scripture — for it is a wholly unfounded interpretation; it is of value only as showing that somehow the Jews entertained this opinion. (2) The same expectation was entertained among the early Christians. Thus Mr. Gibbon (voL i. p. 263, ch. XV.), referring to the expectations of the glorious reign of the Messiah on the earth (comp. Notes on ch. xiv. 8), says, speaking of Rome as the mystic Babylon, and of its anticipated
destruction: "A regular series was prepared [in the minds of Christians! of aU the moral and physical evils which can afflict a flourishing nation; intestine disoord, and the invasion of the fiercest barbarians from the unknown regions of the North; pestilence and famine, comets and eclipses, earthquakes and inundations. All these were only so many preparatory and alarming signs of the great catastrophe of Rome, when the company of the Scipios and Cassars should be consumed by a flame from heaven, and the city of the seven hills, with her palaces, her temples, and her triumphal arches, should be burned in a vast lake of fire and brimstone." So even Gregory the
Great, one of the most illustrious of the Roman Pontiffs, himself says, 'acknowledging his belief in the truth of the tradition— Roma a Gentilibus non exterrainabitur; sed tempestatibus, coruscis turbinibus, ac terrae motu, in se marceseet. Dial. ii. 15. (3) Whatever may be thought of these opinions and expectations, there is some foundation for the opinion in the nature of the case, (a) The region is adapted to this. " It is
not ^tna, the Lipari volcanic islands, Vesuvius, that alone offer visible indications of the physical adaptedness of Italy for such a catastrophe. The great Apennine mountain-chain is mainly volcanic in its character, and the country of Rome more especially is as strikingly so almost as that of Sodom itself." Thus the mine-
ralogist Ferber, in his Tour in Itahj,
says, " The road from Rome to Ostia is all volcanic ashes till within two miles of Ostia." " From Rome to Tivoli I went on fields and hills of volcanic ashes or tufa." "A volcanic hill in an amphitheatrical form includes a part of the plain over Albano, and a flat country of volcanic ashes and hills to Rome. The ground about Rome is generally of that nature." Pp. 189, 191, 200, 234. {h) Mr.
Gibbon, with his usual accuracy, as if commenting on the Apocalypse, has referred to the physical adaptedness of the soil of Rome for such an overthrow. Speaking of the anticipation of the end of the world among the early Christians,
he says, "In the opinion of a general conflagration, the faith of the Christian very happily coincided with the tradition of the East, the philosophy of the stoics, and the analogy of nature; and even the country, tchich, from religious motives, had been chosen for the origin and principal scene of this conflagration, was the best adapted for that purpose hi/ natural and physical causes; by its deep caverns, beds of sulphur, and numerous volcanoes, of which those of ^tna, of Vesuvius, and of Lipari, exhibit a very imperfect representation." Vol. i. p. 263, ch. xv.
As to the general state of Italy in refe rence to volcanoes, the reader may consult, with advantage, Lyell's Geology, B. II., chs. ix.-xii. See also Murray's Encyclojyedia of Geography, II. ii. Of the country around Rome it is said, in that work, among other things, " The
country around Rome, and also the hills on which it is built, is composed of tertiary marls, clays, and sandstones, and intermixed with a preponderating quantity of granular and lithoidal volcanic tufas. The many lakes around Rome are formed by craters of ancient volcanoes." " On the road to Rome is the lake of Vico, formerly the lacus Cimini, which has all the appearance of a crater."
The following extract from a recent traveller will still further confirm this
representation: — "I behold everywhere — in Rome, near Rome, and through the whole region from Rome to Naples — the most astounding proofs, not merely of the possibility, but the probability, that the whole region of central Italy will one day be destroyed by such a catastrophe, [by earthquakes or volcanoes.] The soil of Rome is tufa, with a volcanic subterranean action going on. At Naples, the boiling sulphur is to be seen bubbling near the surface of the earth. When I drew a stick along the ground, the sulphurous smoke followed the indentation; and it would never sui-prise me to hear of the utter destruction of the southern peninsula of Italy. The entire country and district is volcanic. It is saturated with beds of sulphur and the substrata of destruction. It seems as certainly prepared for the flames, as the wood and coal on the hearth are prepared for the taper which shall kindle the fire to consume them. The Divine hand alone seems to me to hold the element of fire in check by a miracle as great as that which protected the cities of the I)lain, till the righteous Lot had made his escape to the mountains." — Townsend's Tour in Italy in 1850. f ^or
strong is the Lord God who judgeth her, That is, God has ample power to bring all these calamities upon her.
9 And the kings " of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciouslywith her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas I that great city Babylon, that mighty
9. And the kinfjs of the earth. This rerse commences the description of the lamentation over the fall of the mystical Babylon (see the analysis of the chapter). ^ Who have committed fornication. That is, who have been seduced by her from the true God, and have been led into practical idolatry. Notes ch. xiv. 8. The kings of the earth seem to be represented as among the chief mourners, because they had derived important aid from the power which was now to be reduced to ruin. As a matter of fact, the kings of Europe have owed much of their influence and power to the support which has been derived from the Papacy, and when that power shall fall, there will fall much that has contributed to sustain oppressive and arbitrary governments, and that has prevented the extension of popular liberty. In fact, Europe might have been long since free, if it had not been for the support which despotic governments have derived from the Papacy. ^ And lived delieiotisly with her. In the same kind of luxury and dissoluteness of manners. See vs. 3, 7. The courts of Europe, under the Papac}^, have had the same general character for dissoluteness and licentiousness as liome itself. The same views of religion produce the same efifects every where. ^ Shall hewail and lament her, <te. Because their ally is destroyed, and the source of their power is taken away. The fall of the Papacy will be the signal for a general overturning of the thx-ones of Europe. ^ When theif shall see the smoke of her burning. When they shall see her on fire, and her smoke ascending towards heaven. Notes ch. xiv. 11.
10. Standing afar off for the fear of \er torment. Not daring to approach to attempt to rescue and save her. They who had so long contributed to the support of the Papal power, and who had in turn been uphold by that, would not
city! for in one hour * is thy judgment come.
11 And the merchants '■ of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth her merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, •* and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and pup-
now even attempt to rescue her, but would stand by and see her destroyed — unable to render relief. ^ Alas, alas! that great city Babylon. The language of lanjentation that so great and so mighty a city should fall. •[ For in one hour is thy judgment come. Notes on ver. 8. The general sentiment here is, that in the final ruin of Papal Rome, the kings and governments that had sustained her, and had been sustained by her, would see the source of their power taken away, but that they would not, or could not, attempt her rescue. There have been not a few indications already that thia will i;^'imately occur, and that the Papal po.. ^r will bo left to fall without any attempt on the part of those governments which have been so long in alliance with it, to sustain or restore it.
11. And the merchants of the earth. Who have been accustomed to traffic with her, and who have been enriched by the traffic. The image is that of a rich and splendid city. Of course, such a city depends much on its merchandise; and when it declines and falls, many Avho had been accustomed to deal with it as merchants or traffickers, are affected by it, and have occasion to lament ita fall. \ Shall loeep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more. The merchandise which they were accustomed to take to the city, anc? by the sale of which they lived. The enumeration of the articles of merchandize which follows, seems to have beeu inserted for the purpose of filling out th**- representation of what is usually found in such a city, and to show the desolation which would occur when this traffic was suspended.
12. The merchandise of gold and silver. Of course these constitute an important article of commerce in a great city. ^ And 2irecious stones. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, <S;c. Thsse have alwayi
pie, and silk, ai.J scarlet, and all • thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
been important articles of traflSc in the world, and of course most of the traffic in thent Tvould find its way to great commercial cities. ^ And pearls. See Notes on Matt. vii. 6, xiii. 46. These too hare been always, and were particularly in «arly times, valuable articles of commerce. Mr. Gibbon mentions them as among the articles that contributed to the luxury of Rome in the age of the Antonines: — "Precious stones, among which the pearl claimed the first rank after the diamond." Vol. i, p. 34. ^ And fine linen. This was also a valuable article of commerce. It was obtained chiefly from Egypt. See Notes on Isa. xis. 9. JLinen among the ancients was an article of luxury, for it was worn chiefly by the rich. Ex. xxviii. 42; Lev. vi. 10; Luke xvi. 19. The original word here is fivaavs — hyssns, and it is found in the New Testament only in this place and in Luke xvi. 19. It was a " species of fine cotton, highly prized by the ancients." Various kinds are mentioned, as that of Egypt, the cloth which is still found wrapped around mummies; that of Syria; and that of India, which grew on a tree similar to the poplar; and that of Achaia, which grew in the vicinity of Elis. SeeJiob.Lex. ^Andpnrjile. See Notes on Luke xvi. 19. Cloth of this color was a valuable article of commerce, as it was worn by rich men and princes. ^ And silk. Silk was a very valuable article of commerce, as it was costly, and could be worn only by the rich. It is mentioned by Mr. Gibbon as such an article in Rome in the age of the Antonines: — " Silk, a pound of which was esteemed not inferior in value to a pound of gold." i. 34. On the cultivation and manufacture of silk by the ancients, see the work entitled The History of Silk, Cotton, Linen, and Wool, <fcc., published by Harper and Brothers, New York, 1845, pp. 1-21. ^ And scarlet. See Notes on ch. xvii. 3. ^ And all thyine icood. The word here used — 5mvos — occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It denotes an evergreen African tree, from which