Revelation 11

Revelation 11:1

The measuring of the temple, altar, and worshippers, with a reed, denotes that every thing in the gospel church ought to be precisely conformed to God’s word, without any mixture of human inventions; and that preservation and reformation from Popery must be by a careful search, experience, and observance, of God’s word

Revelation 11:2

The giving of the outer court to the Gentiles denotes that formal professors would be left to fall under the power of the idolatrous and wicked Papists.—The forty-two months, or one thousand two hundred and sixty days, time, times, and half a time, ver. 3, chap. xii. 6—14, and xiii. 5, denote the 1260 years continuance of the Antichristian power, i. e. from A. D. 606, when the Pope of Rome was by Phocas the emperor constituted the universal bishop of the Christian church, to A. D. 1866:—or from 756, when the Pope became a temporal prince, to 2016

Revelation 11:3

Christ’s two witnesses denote the small but sufficient, succession of faithful ministers, who, from age to age, amidst grief and persecution, bear witness against the abominations of Popery

Revelation 11:4

They, like olive trees before God, are remarkably furnished with gifts and graces; and, being protected and delighted in by him, do minister us in his presence, and depending on his grace. 5, 6 God shall fearfully resent the injuries done them, fulfil the threatenings they denounce in his name, and grant their requests

Revelation 11:7-10

Whatever murder of Christ’s witnesses may have been effected during the whole reign of Antichrist, or whatever particular persecutions of about three years and on half continuance have taken place, I suppose the general slaughter here intended is yet future; in which I fear the Papists, who are like Sodomites in uncleanness, and Egyptians in cruel oppression of God’s people will, partly by drawing men off from the doctrines of the gospel, and partly by murderous wars and persecutions, leave scarcely any shadow of proper opposition to their abominations in Europe, or the countries thereto belonging

Revelation 11:11-13

But scarcely shall the Antichristians, to their great joy, have apparently effected the ruin of Christ’s witnesses when God, by his word and Spirit, shall strangely revive, animate, and encourage, them, and, under his special protection, exalt them to eminent dignity, power, and prosperity;—while, about the very time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the Papish state shall be thrown into terrible convulsions and ruin, many Papists miserably destroyed, and others alarmed, and by the gospel converted to Christ, more marvellously than at the reformation

Revelation 11:15-19

All the nations of the world shall be generally converted to the Christian faith and made members of the gospel church;—and great shall be her light, glory, and liberty, and abundant the access into her; but fearful and destructive the judgments which shall overtake her enemies

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XI.—In the very worst of times God will preserve for himself a church, answerable to the promises, and in some measure conformed to the rules, of his word. And, in separating the precious from the vile, he makes no account of mere nominal and carnal professors, but leaves them to the power of Antichristian or other deceivers. In evil times Christ’s faithful ministers are often extremely few, but still sufficient to bear witness to his truths; and, however afflicted and mournful their outward condition may be, and however grieved their hearts, God will honour them to be instrumental in conveying his light and influence to his church, and will resent the injuries done them, and conform his Providence, in a great measure, to their warnings and prayers. Pretended Christians, oppressive idolaters, unclean monsters, and unreasonable and malicious murderers, tormented by their holy doctrines, exemplary lives, and fearful admonitions, may long oppress, and at last silence and slay them; but their extremity of trouble shall usher in their glorious deliverance. The triumphing of their wicked enemies shall be short, and divine vengeance, redoubled, shall overtake them in an hour that they think not. For, let enemies rage as they will, Jesus will at last vindicate his righteous cause and his suffering servants, and will bountifully reward them with the smiles of his providence and grace; reign before them gloriously, and cause them for ever to triumph in his praise. But by what fearful shukings of nations he ushers in the noted reformations of his church! Happy are they who, when his judgments are abroad in the earth, share his converting spirit, submit to his salvation and government, learn righteousness, and glorify his name!