Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1

The gospel church has Christ, and his righteousness for her robe; and is irradiated with the light of truth, comfort, and holiness. She is elevated above the obscure light of Mosaic rites and ceremonies, and treads with holy indifference upon the enjoyments of this world; and all her light of knowledge and grace is communicated by means of, and according to, the doctrine of the twelve apostles

Revelation 12:2

Her travailing in birth denotes her strong groanings, eager desires, wrestling prayers, and indefatigable labours, under sharp persecutions, to bring forth converts, in whom Christ, in his doctrine and image, may be formed. 3, 4. The red dragon is the devil, acting in and by the power of the persecuting Heathen empire of Rome, which, after seven forms of government, was split into ten kingdoms; or by the Popish power, as extended over these ten kingdoms; by which multitudes of ministers were either murdered or seduced from the faith

Revelation 12:5

Her man-child may have some respect to Constantine, whom Providence marvellously advanced to the imperial throne, A. D. 312, and directed to abolish Heathenism; but chiefly denotes a succession of faithful believers, who, notwithstanding all the malicious designs and attempts of the devil and his instruments, are brought forth, and wonderfully protected and honoured by God. 6, 14. The Wilderness into which the church fled is that corrupt or concealed state in which true and practical religion, and truly faithful professors, continued all along from Constantine’s time to the Reformation; or from the rise of Antichrist, about A. D. 606. 7, 8. The defeat and ejection of the dragon and his angels may denote the abolition of Heathen idolatry, and ruin of the Heathen’s persecuting power by Constantine; if not also the abolition of Popery by many Protestant powers at the Reformation. 12, 13, 15. The dragon’s rage at, and persecution of, the woman, and casting a flood out of his mouth to destroy her, may denote the devil’s exerting himself to the utmost to destroy the church by the Arian, Pelagian, and other, heresies, the Donatist schism, and the persecutions which attended them; by the Julian persecution, and the ravages of the Goths, Vandals, and others, in the Christian countries; or, also, by the decrees, persecutions, wars, massacres, and missionaries, of the Papiats, after the Reformation, for the destruction of the Protestant cause

Revelation 12:16

Corrupt Ecclesiastics in their councils, and otherwise, defended the truths of the gospel against the Arian, Pelagian, Eutychian, and other heresies; the Goths, Vandals, and other ravaging tribes diverted the Arian persecutors, and at last became professed Christians themselves; and, at the Reformation, many secular princes, and others, who had no real religion, took part with the reformers, and protected them from the Papal fury

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XII.—Glorious is the gospel church when she appears lifted above worldly principles and customs, when she shines in Jesus’ imputed righteousness and implanted grace, and is adorned with the pure doctrines of the gospel. By earnest desires, prayers, and labours, she then brings forth children to God through Christ. With great craft, fury, and diligence, Satan and his instruments exert themselves, to corrupt or destroy the church, and hinder the conversion of sinners, or to persecute and murder them whenever they appear serious. And, if their plots be defeated, they become the more furious and active. But, let them plot, fight, and rage, as they will, Christ will restrain, and at last conquer, them; and, notwithstanding the most fearful and lasting afflictions, will protect and preserve his faithful servants and people; and, in his time, render them victorious and triumphant. By faith in his atoning blood, as the only ground of their justification, and by faithfully contending, even unto death, for his injured truths, they shall overcome at last