THE
REVELATION
OF
JOHN THE DIVINE*

1 Namely, of which is spoken in the foregoing 16th chapter, whom some perceive to have been the 5th, because he had poured out his vial upon the throne of the beast. Whereof a more detailed explanation is properly made in the next two following chapters.

2 This serves only to stir up the apostle, since here is not understood an alteration of place, but only a renewal of vision, as appears by the following third verse. See similar phrase in Ezek. 8:3 and 40:1, etc.

3 As the true church of Christ is compared to an honest woman, clothed with the sun, and adorned with a crown of twelve stars, Rev. 12:1, so here the apostate church is compared to a sumptuous loving harlot, who, forsaking Christ, the only Bridegroom, resorts herself also to other men, that is, to idols and other patrons, though she may boast of the contrary; as is also said of the church of Israel, and of the city of Jerusalem; Isa. 1:21; Jer. 3:1; Ezek. 16:15. Who now this whore is and what her judgment, will appear by the sequel.

4 That is, who has dominion over many people, multitudes, tongues and nations, as the angel shows hereafter in verse 15 and verse 18.

a Rev. 18:3.

5 That is, have conspired to defend and maintain her spiritual fornication and dominion, and to bring others thereto by their power, as is shown by the angel in verse 13 and verse 17.

6 That is, they who are earthly-minded, and are inclined to earthly worships, as men are to do so by nature. For, from this, in verse 8, are expressly excluded all those whose names are written in the book of life.

7 That is, have been so taken in and filled with a blind zeal and love for their embellished superstitions and idolatries, as lewd men are wont to be with wine which is filled out unto them by a crafty harlot to allure them to satisfy their unchaste lusts.

8 Namely, in a rapture or trance; as was noted on the first verse.

9 Namely, that he might be able to heed more freely all things in silence without the trouble or tumult of men. Others understand by this wilderness the realm of the antichrist itself, which indeed is full of all worldly tumult, but empty and void of all saving truth and spiritual fruitfulness.

10 That by this woman is understood the city of Rome with the dominion thereof, appears by the entire description that follows after; especially by verse 5, where it is called BABYLON THE GREAT, namely, to be understood in a spiritual manner, as appears by Rev. 14:8; 16:19, and by the following verse 9, where it is explained by the angel, that the seven heads of this beast, upon which the woman sat, are seven mountains, and by the last verse, where it is expressly said, that this woman is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth, which is applicable only to Rome. This is so clear, that not only the most important of the ancient fathers and all the reformed teachers agree therein, but even many popish expositors. But these last maintain, to keep off anti-Christianity from their pope and popery, that this is to be understood of the city and dominion of Rome, only while it was under the dominion of pagan emperors, and did persecute the Christians; namely about three hundred years after Christ’s birth, till the time of Constantine the Emperor. But these are easily confuted by the sequel of these two chapters. First, because pagan Rome did not use to press upon other kings or nations, which it had brought under her dominion, her own idolatry, but did permit them to follow their own customary superstition, and even permitted the very Jews themselves to enjoy their own worship, till such time that they rebelled against her. Whereas this woman makes all kings and nations drunk with the cup of her fornication, that is, idolatry. Second, it cannot be applied to pagan Rome, since it is said in verse 12 that the ten kings, who gave their power unto the beast, have received in one hour their power with the beast, whereas the ancient Romans did violently subdue unto themselves little by little and from time to time those whom they had brought under their dominion, and not by mutual consent and conspiracy. Third, because the beast and this woman, who sits upon it, that is, antichrist and the city of Rome are here continually joined together, whereas pagan Rome, as long as it was pagan, was not properly the seat of the antichrist, but has become it later. And therefore it is said that the beast shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition. Last, because the sad and exemplary ruin of this city of Babylon, whereof the next chapter speaks in detail, cannot be understood of pagan Rome, because that never happened to it, as long as it was pagan, but was afterward above an hundred years in a good state of affairs under Christian emperors, as appears from history. It is true indeed, that it was afterwards taken and destroyed by the Goths, Vandals and others, but it was shortly thereafter brought to its previous situation, and continues still. Whereas it is plain that the ruin of this Babylon, whereof is spoken in the next chapter, shall never be at an end, as is testified in Rev. 18:2, 21. This is so clear, that some popish expositors acknowledge themselves that, what is prophesied here and in the next chapter, this must be understood of the city of Rome, which now is. But to clear themselves of anti-Christianity, they devise another invention, namely, that a little before the end of the world, ten pagan kings, it is not known out of what corner of the world, shall come and conspire with the antichrist who would be of the tribe of Dan, and take possession of the entire world, chase away the pope of Rome, and set up the antichrist in his place, and impose upon all nations their pagan idolatry, and all this in three and an half years before the end of the world, and shall burn Rome with all her riches, and still mourn over her, etc., which was also confuted before, and is repugnant to all human judgment and reason; as the following exposition shall also sufficiently show.

11 Hereby is meant the royal splendor and bloodthirstiness of this beast, as also of this woman, as appears by verse 4 and verse 6. Whereof see the further exposition, as also of the names of blasphemy, in the annotation on Rev. 13:1. Concerning the seven heads and ten horns, the exposition shall be made hereafter by the angel himself.

b verse 8; Rev. 13:1.

c Rev. 18:16.

12 The outward pomp of this woman or of the apostate church of Rome goes through the entire realm, not only in her public government, but also in her public worship; where all things are performed in the most sumptuous and most beautiful manner, and purple and scarlet is the livery of their chief heads.

13 Hereby are properly understood the fair and alluring titles, which antichrist gives to himself and to his church before the world, to bring men thereby to obedience unto him, as for example: holy father, vicar of Christ, head of the catholic church, the successor of Peter, the foundation of the church, etc., which considered in themselves, notwithstanding are full of abominable blasphemies, superstitions and false doctrines. Others interpret this of the cup of the mass, and consequently of the mass itself, which is full of abominations.

14 Namely, as famous strumpets of old were wont to set up their names and titles upon the fore part of their houses, and upon their own foreheads, to be known more and more, and to allure the adulterous lovers more readily to herself, and to draw to her love.

15 Gr. mysterion, which name many testify that it has heretofore been put upon the pope’s miter with the triple crown. But notwithstanding this may properly be applied to almost all the ceremonies, vestments and consecrations, which the pope uses with those who are shaved, which they all, even to the very least, feign to be full of mysteries and secrets.

d 2 Thes. 2:7.

16 Namely, thus called spiritually and figuratively, as is expressed in Rev. 11:8 of Egypt and Sodom, whereof see there the exposition. See also Rev. 14:8; 16:19.

17 Or, the mother of fornications, that is, of idolatries and superstitions, as was noted before on verse 1. For, likewise she does also boast, namely, that she is the mother of the holy church, from which all other churches on earth are sprung forth and depend, as children do spring forth and proceed from their mother.

18 Namely, in deposing and murdering of kings and princes, in absolving princes and subjects from their oaths, in dissolving lawful marriages, in withdrawing of children from their obedience and service due to their parents under the cloak of religion, in tolerating of public houses of prostitutes, in lying and deceiving, and similar abominations, which the doctrines and actions of popery bring forth.

19 Whereof the books of martyrs of all kinds of nations are full of examples.

e Rev. 18:24.

f wonder, astonishment

20 That is, I will further declare unto you; as is done in the sequel.

21 It is manifest that here is prophesied of the realm of the antichrist; therefore all these four characteristics must agree therewith. The first then, that it was in John’s time may properly be understood of the Roman Empire that had been already and would still continue some hundreds of years under several governments; wherewith the angel adds, and is not, because at that time it had no ecclesiastical dominion over the churches in Christendom, neither would have in some hundreds of years.

22 Namely, because it would receive these two dominions about five hundred years after John’s time, when the antichrist would subdue unto himself not only all spiritual persons, but also secular princes, contrary to the doctrine and example of Christ, as came to pass in the time of Phocas and afterward; Rev. 13:1.

23 Namely, after it shall have continued some considerable time, it will again decrease by degrees, and loose its authority among Christians, as of latter time is begun, and shall be fulfilled in the next chapter.

24 That is, shall be moved with reverence towards it, and worship it, or submit themselves unto it. See Rev. 13:3, 4, 8.

25 That is, excepting those whose names are written in the book of life. Whereof see Rev. 13:8, which is here inserted that it might not seem that Christ, in the time of the antichrist’s reign, has no more reserved a church on earth for Himself.

g Exod. 32:32; Philip. 4:3; Rev. 13:8.

26 These words may be sufficiently understood from the previous annotation on this verse.

h Rev. 13:16.

i Rev. 13:1.

27 That is, signify seven mountains. As the city of Rome was built upon seven mountains, appears sufficiently by all ancient writers, which are mount Capitolinus, Palatinus, Cælius, Aventinus, Esquilinus, Viminalis and Quirinalis, for which cause it is also called by some ancient writers the seven hilled city.

28 That is, they signify seven kings, or royal governments; from which it appears that a type, or thing may have various significations. Now who these seven kings are, is diversely understood. Some understand by these kings, the seven emperors who had reigned in Rome after Nero’s time unto the time of John’s banishment. But there seems to be no reason why emperors who had reigned before Nero’s time, even from the time of Julius Cæsar, should not be counted as well as the next emperors who came after Nero. And it is manifest that here is spoken of such kings who comprehended the entire government of all the Roman Empire. Therefore others understand it more properly of the seven forms or manners of government, whereby the city of Rome had been both governed in times past and would yet be governed in time to come, as the angel testifies here, and in verse 11. Whereof the first government had been from Romulus to Tarquinius, under kings, properly so called. The second, from Brutus, under the consuls or burgomasters. The third, under dictatores. The fourth, under decemviros. The fifth, under the tribunos consulares. The sixth, under emperors, from Julius Cæsar onward, which form of government continued still at that time when this revelation came to John.

29 This is the seventh kind or manner of government, which has begun under Constantine the first Christian emperor, who began another form of government in his time, and after he had reigned about the space of 20 years at Rome and everywhere had brought in the christian faith, he departed to Byzantium, which he, after his own name, called Constantinople, and especially there he established the seat of the Empire, whereby the Imperial authority at Rome and in Italy decreased more and more, and the antichristian dominion did by degrees rise higher and higher; which is the eighth form of government of which is mentioned here.

30 This is the papal government, which began to rise up somewhat in its beginning, but was not yet fully revealed; till in the time of Phocas the Emperor, about five hundred and ten years after this revelation, and six hundred and six after Christ’s birth, popery extended little by little its ecclesiastical and secular dominion over Christendom, and was fully revealed; as was shown before this. Which after that it had been for some hundreds of years in its full strength and power, it began afterward again to decline little by little, and still declines.

31 That is, has gathered his strength together from the previous seven heads, or forms of government, and has set up the same little by little. For this eighth form does not only comprehend an head of this beast, but also the whole beast.

j Dan. 7:20; Rev. 13:1.

32 That is, kingdoms; as with Daniel, and here, the kings with their successors are continually understood in those realms. Now some expositors take this number for a strict number of ten, which were the first that rose up also about the very time of the rising up of the antichrist in the West. Others, for an uncertain number, which there is or thereabouts; as this word ten is also elsewhere used. See an example, Gen. 31:7; Num. 14:22. Under this number are counted the kingdoms of Hungary, Naples, Spain, France, England, Scotland, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Bohemia, and some others which are comprehended under these, as Navarre, Aragon, Lyons, Sicily, Sardinia, Norway, etc.

33 That is, at or about one time; as this phrase is also taken, John 4:52; Acts 10:3, 30; Rev. 3:3. Others render it, one hour, that is, a short time, as this phrase also signifies elsewhere. But the first agrees best with the intention of the apostle.

34 Namely, in this point of maintaining and defending the authority and superstitions of the antichrist, though they oftentimes differ in worldly matters and are at variance among themselves. And though sometimes some of these kings have opposed some of these popes, yet they would always seem to defend popery, and the doctrine thereof.

k Rev. 16:14.

35 That is, assault and persecute Christ in His members, as Christ Himself speaks unto Paul in Acts 9:4. For, though they did not always intend to fight directly against Christ, yet they, who seek to destroy His members and His doctrine, are counted and said in Scripture to fight against Christ Himself. See Psalm 2:2; Acts 4:25, etc.

36 Namely, such by a spiritual victory, that they shall not be able to destroy the true and saving doctrine of Christ, whatsoever they do, but that Christ, through His elect and believers, in spite of all such power, shall spread the same abroad in the world; and also by many outward victories, which He will give to His people in the world over them, as examples of former ages and of this present age do plainly show. And in that last great war whereof was prophesied in the previous chapter, Rev. 16:14, it shall yet more plainly appear before the eyes of the entire world.

l 1 Tim. 6:15. Rev. 19:16.

37 This title is attributed here to Christ as the only Lord and King over all lords and kings, as the same is attributed unto God, 1 Tim. 6:15, because He is true God and Ruler over all creatures, of one Essence with the Father. See also hereafter in Rev. 19:16.

m Isa. 8:7.

38 That is, it signifies peoples of various languages and nations. A sacramental phrase, as was also shown before, and as follows after in verse 18.

39 That is, kings, as was declared in verse 12, shall at last open their eyes, and perceive how they have been deceived by her, and hate her for it, as also for her idolatry and dominion. Whereof some have done it already, and we are to beg of God that it may be also done by the rest.

40 That is, assume again to themselves their power and authority, which they had previously given to her in their kingdoms, and shall turn the same against her.

41 That is, shall refuse and deprive her of her revenue and riches which she had gathered from their lands, and shall employ them to their own benefit and use against her.

42 Namely, the place or city with seven mountains, where she has her seat or throne, as was shown in Rev. 16:10.

n Rev. 18:8.

43 For, the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as rivers of waters; he turneth it whithersoever he will, Prov. 21:1, namely, either in His just wrath and judgment unto their punishment, and for the trial of His people; or, in His mercy and favor, for the redemption and deliverance of His people, and for the punishment of His enemies.

44 Or, counsel, as also in verse 13, and here in the sequel.

45 That is, until the prophesies or predictions shall be fulfilled, which God has revealed unto us in His Word, as well of the ascent and dominion, as of the fall of the antichrist.

46 See the exposition hereof the annotations at Rev. 17 on verse 3.

o Rev. 16:19.