15.04.2016 Views

Revelation

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION: M. M. NINAN<br />

Galba, the ruling emperor when the vision occurred<br />

the other has not yet come, when he comes, he must continue a short time.: Titus who reigned two years<br />

(79-81).<br />

The eighth emperor is Domitian (81-96 AD).<br />

They have in them a double representation, first of seven mountains, and then of seven kings; by which are<br />

meant seven ages of the world,<br />

• as from Adam to Noah;<br />

• from Noah to Abraham;<br />

• from Abraham to David;<br />

• from David to the Babylonish captivity;<br />

• from the Babylonish captivity to Christ;<br />

• from Christ to antichrist; and<br />

• from antichrist to the end of the world.<br />

The five first of which were gone in John's time, the sixth was then in being, and when the seventh shall<br />

come it will continue for a short time.<br />

Protestant Explanation:<br />

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary<br />

17:7-14 The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is.<br />

It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is<br />

truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and<br />

blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect.<br />

This beast has seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven<br />

sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other<br />

was yet to come.<br />

This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns,<br />

which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire<br />

was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest. Christ must reign till all enemies be put<br />

under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme<br />

dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers<br />

are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it.<br />

Pulpit Commentary<br />

Verse 10. - And there are seven kings; and they are. Here we have the same idea (cf. ver 9), with a<br />

somewhat different aspect.<br />

The phrase in ver. 9, "seven mountains," regarded the world power as one universal indivisible whole,<br />

without respect to particular times or modes in which it might be exhibited. In this phrase, "seven kings,"<br />

246

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!