A new and original exposition of the book of Revelation, as well as the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, Joel, &c., with useful and practical observations; together with numerous citations from the Jewish Talmuds and Targums; and also from ancient history and authors

Front matter

oo 1 s S i

A NEW AND ORIGINAL

OF

Introduction

Saint John, the author of this Book and the Gospel according to St. John, was the son of Zebedee, a poor fisherman of Galilee ; he had two sons, James and John ; both were brought up to the same occupation with their father.

They were poor and illiterate, and of little or no repute among men, considered "the filth and ofFscouring of the world." "They had nothing, and yet they possessed all things ; were poor, yet made many rich." They were men of strong minds, great zeal, patience, and resignation to the will of God; " they counted all things but loss and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus ;" were willing not only to suffer but to die for the name of Jesus.

The world at this time was in a state of general expectation that a prince should appear in Judea who would conquer the whole world. The Jews believed this person to be Prince Messiah, who, as they expected, was to come in pomp and splendor, and redeem them from the dominion of the Romans ; but little did they imagine that Jesus of Nazareth was this identical person. And because he assumed the character of the Messiah and of God, and they "saw no form nor comeliness in him, nor beauty, that they should desire him," they at last crucified and put him to death.

He was directly the opposite of every thing they expected of the Messiah. " Meek and lowly in heart and in life ;" plain, simple, and unassuming in his manners, " he made himself of no reputation, (though the Lord of the whole universe,) stooped so low as to take upon him the form of a servant," and actually washed his disciples (the fishermen's) feet. He was the friend of the poor, the benefactor of mankind ; was holy, harmless, undefiied, and separate from sinners, " and made higher than the heavens."

His miracles, mission, preaching, piety, humility, zeal, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, and pure benevolence, commended him to all who looked for redemption in Israel. He was evidently " God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

To the astonishment of men and angels the King of kings and Lord of lord& passed by all the] fashionable circles of the rich and great, (the wise, learned, noble,) and stooped to the humble walks of life, and there made choice of poor but pious fishermen to be his ambassadors to a perishing and sinful world. " You see your calling, brethren," observes St. Paul, u that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble men arc called (to the ministry) but God hath chosen the foolish things of this world, and things that are despised hath he chosen ; yea, and things that are not; to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh might glory in his presence, 1 Cor. I : 7. Among these were Peter and John, ignorant and illiterate in the estimation of men, but wise and learned (in spiritual things) in the estimation of God. They were the real priests, with TJrim and Thummim divinely taught, and inspired by the Spirit of God. These were the men " who turned the world upside down by their preaching," astonished it with their wisdom, zeal, power and eloquence ; no wonder, then, that three thousand w r ere converted in one day under one sermon of Peter's. And John's Book of Revelation has been the wonder of the church in all ages. It is so profound, learned, lofty f majestic, sublime in spiritual things, that it has remained a mystery for ages, and yet it is a revealed book! How true is that saying, "the natural man discerneth not the things that are spiritual, because spiritually discerned they are foolishness to him."

And some divines who could not comprehend the author, have, like the Pharisees of old, poured down a flood of contempt on him and his book. Some have said that it is so wrapped and involved in figures and allegories, is so wildjand visionary, is so dark and obscure, that nothing clear or certain can be proved from it. And another divine, so called, hath not scrupled to assert that the book of Revelation either finds a man mad or makes him so. And a third highly commends commentators for not giving their opinion on it at all. But to avoid old wives' fables and needless conjectures and opinions respecting the author of this book and the time when it was written, I shall endeavor, by the help of God, to prove that it was not written in the reign of Domitian, but in that of Nero. That St. John's Gospel was written before this book, is sufficiently clear from the first and second chapters.. It is not easy to determine the time when he was released from the island, but it is not improbable that it was^when Nero was going to make a canal from Avernum to Ostia, for the purpose of which, he ordered all persons, every where, to be released and brought to Italy ; and that such as were convicted of the most heinous crimes should be only condemned to work therein. See Suetonius in Nero. And if St. John was brought to Italy at this time, in all probability he hadjan opportunity of seeing Nero, Vespasiaa, and Titus, personally. That he did not survive the destruction of Jerusalem, is very evident from chap. 10 : 10, 13, and 11 : 1, 13. See chap. 20: 4.

When, where, and by whom was it written, are grave questions, and difficult to answer. Evidence, therefore, external, internal, circumstantial, and collateral, are the only sources by which we can solve these difficulties.

External evidence may be deduced from either sacred or profane history, and also from other sources. The Gospel according to St. John, his Epistles and Book of Revelation, are the only works of his which have been handed down to us through the church ; their authenticity and inspiration Imxe never as yet been discredited. Strabo's Geography, (his map of the world is attached to this work,) written before Christ — Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews, written a few 3 T ears after the destruction of Jerusalem — Tacitus and Suetonius' History of Rome — Homer's Illiad — Plato and Socrates' systems of Philosophy — have never been doubted ; and yet there is far greater evidence of the authenticity and genuineness of John's Gospel and Apocalypse than that of any of the works alluded to.

How clearly, forcibly, energetically, does John point out the corruptions and backslidings of the Seven Churches'of Asia. They certainly must have been revealed to him in Patmos, or he should never previously and when absent have discovered them.

The white horse and his rider, the red horse, the pale horse, the black horse and their riders; the symbolic beasts; the beast coming up out of the bottomless pit and declaring war against Christ and his church ; the murder of the two witnesses ; the beast's wound in battle and recovery ; his false miracles; the 1260 days of the war; the battle of Harmageddon ; the fall of spiritual Babylon; the remarkable events which preceded its ruin; the city divided into three different factions, who fought desperately with each other ; the great effusion of human blood ; the large stones thrown into it by engines, &c. ; the great red dragon ; his persecution of the church ; her flight into the wilderness ; his edict, under the emblem of water ; his loss of the empire because of this persecution ; • the first resurrection; the binding and loosing of Satan; the final destruction of Gog and Magog by fire from heaven ; are all predictions which either have been or shall be very soon fulfilled.

Justin the Martyr, in the year of our Lord 140, quotes largely from John's Book of Revelation. Z

Mileto, bishop of Sardis, wrote explanatory notes on it. Ireneus, about A. D. 170, commended it highly.

Theophilus, of Antioch, makes several quotations from it in his controversy with Hermogenes.

Clement, of Alexandria, refersig^ it frequently.

Epiphanius, still earlier, Tertullian, Origen, Andreas, and Arethas, all assert that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem, and in the reign

INTRODUCTION.

of Nero. Bishop Newton and many other eminent men are of the same opinion. When we come to treat on the internal evidence of it, we shall more fully establish this point. «

It is couched in dark,* mysterious, or symbolic language ; but this was absolutely necessary, because of the hatred of both Jews and Gentiles to Christianity, and especially the rulers of both nations, who viewed it with a jealous and malignant eye. The fact is, it was sapping the very foundation of loth systems, and becoming so popular that all nations were submitting to the mild and easy yoke of Jesus.

Judaism was now tottering and ready to fall, and Paganism giving way to Christianity in every quarter, and the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. Nero became exceedingly jealous of Christ and his kingdom, because making such vast inroads on the empire. This was the very cause of his persecution of the christians ; he was afraid Christ should become his rival in the government, and he was determined to exterminate his followers. See Exod. 1 : 9, 10. This book, therefore, if it fell into the hands of either Jews or Gentiles might -be interpreted as treasonable, and John not only lose his head, but another general persecution be raised against the church. This accounts for the metaphorical and ambiguous style of it.

Internal evidence. This is founded on reason and inspiration.

1. Then, if the remarkable events set forth in this Book are prophecies, of which there can be no doubt, (chap. 1:3; 22 : 19,) and if they were literally fulfilled, then John must have been a prophet as well as an apostle, and his .Book be written by inspiration of God. See 1 Pet. 1 : 21. John is classed among the prophets by the angel ; chap. 22 : 9.

2. Were these remarkable predictions and events fulfilled in the reign of Bomitian or that of Nero? are questions of the utmost importance. We think we shall make this matter so plain and simple that there can be no doubt as to when John wrote this book, and by whom he was banished 'into the isle of Patmos.

3. It certainly could not have been in the reign of Domitian, for not a single event set forth in the book took place during his reign, but they all took place in the time of Nero.

4. Our Lord indicated to both Peter and John that they should live until he came to judge the Jews, and then die martyrs for him there. John, 21 : 18, 22. His coming, here, could not surely refer to the day of judgment, but to his coming to destroy Jerusalem ; an event predicted by the prophets, and called the " day of the Lord " in the Scriptures*! When that city was destroyed, then all the predictions of the prophets were'literally fulfilled. Luke, 21 : 22.

5. Peter and John were then either seventy or seventy-five years of age ;

but if John lived to the reign of Domitian he must have been over one hundred, a thing improbable. Besides, the book itself shows clearly that it was the production of a man considerably younger in years ; the language, the ideas, the force and energy of it, all establish this fact.

6. Chapter 1 : 17 ; 11 : 8 ; 12 : 3, prove, beyond doubt, that Jerusalem was not destroyed when this book was written. Hence, " Every eye shall see him," Jews and Gentiles ; " and they also that pierced him," the priests and the Jewish people,- beyond doubt. Luke, 23 : 13, 14, 18 ; Acts, 2 : 23, 36 ; also, 3 : 15 ; 4 : 27 ; 5 : 29. " And all the tribes of the earth shall mourn." In the siege of Jerusalem, the tribes were all confounded and destroyed, or else carried captives into Egypt, and have never, as yet, been discovered.

7. Judah was to remain a distinct tribe until Shiloh came, and then all distinction was to cease forever. The literal was to be blended with the spiritual. Chap. 7 : 5.

8. It was in the time of general persecution and general commotion that St. John was banished into Patmos, and must have been the very time pre-' dieted by our Lord. Matt. 24 : 6-14. We assert that no such events as are described in this chapter took place in the time of Domitian, but were all literally fulfilled in the reign of Nero.

9. There was no general persecution of the Christians, as such, in the reigns of Vespasian, Titus, or # Domitian. They detested the Jeivs, and some of them, because of their wealth, and through the avariciousness of Domitian, were falsely accused of treason, and banished into foreign countries and their property seized by him. Some christian Jews improfessi (not in profession, but outwardly such,) were treated in the same way, as the emperor did not perceive the distinction, and therefore treated both alike. To commence at this late period a general persecution of the Christians, would be at the risk of losing his head and his crown. See Suetonius. Neither Tacitus nor Suetonius intimates such a thing as a persecution of the Christians in his time, but both mention that of Nero's, and animadverts severely on Nero for his barbarous and cruel conduct in this respect.

10. A mighty and powerful nation was to be subdued and utterly destroyed. in the reign of either one or other ; but such an event did not occur in the time of Domitian, but in the reign of Nero. Vespasian then destroyed the mighty and holy people, and caused them to be extinct, as a nation, for ever.

11. These great national calamities were then at hand, within reach or sight of the people. Chap. 1 : 3. They took place immediately after the release of John from the Isle of Patmos.

12. This national destruction was to be accompanied by the seven plagues of Egypt, as was predicted two thousand years before by Moses. Deut. 28 : 60. These plagues came on the Jews alone, and on no other nation, Chapter 6 : 8, 9.

TXTRODUCTIOX.

13. The battle of Harmageddon was fought in a province exactly 200 miles in length. Chap. 14 : 50. But no such battle was fought in Italy in the reign of Domitian, but it took place in the time of Nero.

14. Wars and rumors of wars, general and national calamities, accompanied the downfal of Jerusalem in Nero's time ; but no such calamities came upon the world in that of Domitian.

15. A vial, or heavy judgment, was to be poured out on the seat of the Pagan beast ; and three kings at this time were to be subdued in contending for the crown. These were Galba, Otho, and Vitellius. Chapter 16 : 10. There were no kings contending for the crown in Domitian's time.

16. Daniel's beast was then to succeed to the empire ; and this is the very beast that was to destroy the mighty and holy people, and cause the daily sacrifice to cease for ever from Jerusalem.

17. Peace was restored in the .East, among the Parthians, in Nero's time, and not in that of Domitian. Chap. 16 : 12. This is represented by the waters of the Euphrates being dried up; or, may allude to the bridge which Nero had thrown across this river for his armies to pass over.

18. The symbolic locusts were let loose in the time of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns, and not in the reign of Domitian. Chap. 9 : 3.

19. Gabriel came on a special mission, to announce that time should be no longer (than the 1260 days) with the Jews;. but he did not in the reign of Domitian declare that time should be no longer with us Gentiles. Chapter 10 : 6, 19. For, after this,

20. The two tidinesses had to prophesy ; the woman to flee into the wilderness of Judea, because of persecution, and Babylon to fall, and then the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ ; which proves beyond doubt that his mission was special, and not general.

21. A great earthquake caused the tenth part of Babylon to fall; but we have no account of any such event in Rome in the time of Domitian. Chapter 13 : 11.

22. Domitian. did not declare war against both Jews and Christians, for Jerusalem was destroyed thirty years previous, and another general persecution of the Christians would be a hazardous game with him, as Nero lost the throne by it; and it was still more dangerous in his time, as nearly the whole empire had now embraced Christianity. The palace, the senate, the forum, and a great part of the public offices were filled with Christians, because of their strict integrity and piety. See chap. 12 : 7.

23. His ministers or magistrates did not destroy the third part of the stars of heaven, (or Christ's ministers,) but Nero did. Chap. 12: 4. And he lost the empire because of it ; verses 9, 10.

24.. Ou,)' Lord was crucified in Jerusalem and not in Rome ; and in the

IXTRODUCTIOX.

streets of Jerusalem the two witnesses were killed and their bodies exposed to public view ; "and this by the beast that besieged the city. Chap. 11 : 7, 19.

25. It was entirely destroyed, and Zion ploughed up like afield thirty years before the reign of Domitian; therefore the two witnesses could not be killed in his reign, but in that of Nero. Suetonius declares that Domitian was far more mild and virtuous than either his father or brother ; and he could not bear the idea of even taking the life of,an tx, much less that of a man.

26. Finally, all these events were to take place in the reign of the seventh imperor of Rome ; that is, in Nero's, and not Domitian's reign, who was the twelfth emperor. Chap. 18 : 10. Therefore, John was not banished into the Isle of Patmos by the latter, but by the former. *

Circumstantial evidence may be collected from various sources ; from testimony for and against. 1. The various commentaries written on it, show evidently that such a book existed, and was in repute. 2. The spurious works written by Cerenthus and others in imitation of it, proves that it was genuine, as well as popular. 3. The various disputes about when it was written, and where it was written, and by whom it was written, shows that it was a book worthy the attention of great scholars, as well as great divines. 4. In all ages, and by all denominations, it has been considered as an extraordinary book. Junius'' Letters are genuine and very popular, though not authentic. The author's name is concealed, because the government icas implicated. John appended his name to this book, but wisely concealed his predictions, because Jews and Gentiles w r ere implicated in them. The Apocalypse (revelation) is supported therefore, from evidence indisputable, external, internal, circumstantial, and collateral. Collateral evidences may be deduced from coins, pillars, monuments, tombs, fyc. The pyramids of Egypt, Pompey's Pillar, the ruins of Troy, Titus' Triumphal Arch, are all relics of antiquity, designed to perpetuate, remarkable events.

The tombs of Joseph, Abraham, David, Solomon, Jehosaphat, and the Holy Sepulchre, are designed to perpetuate the memory of the dead or distinguished personages.

John, the poor fisherman of Galilee, had no tomb, no coins, no monument, no pillar, to transmit his worth to posterity; but he had Jesus with him. His gospel and Book of Revelation, however, have handed down his name from one generation to another, and though dead, yet he lives in the hearts of all genuine Christians. But Nero, unintentionally, erected a splendid monument to perpetuate the memory of the beloved John. His cave is to be seen by all travellers to this day in the Isle of Patmos r and no doubt, if search in future shall be made, his name will be found engraven on the walls in large Hebrew characters.

John, however, was not forgotten by some of his beloved brethren at Rome ;

1*

INTRODUCTION.

ior the following remarkable Greek Inscription was found on a statue of Hip* jjotitus, discovered at Rome in 1551.

Concerning the Gospel and Revelation of St. John.

The Syrian version lias this inscription :

" The revelation made to St. John the Evangelist by God, in the Island of Patmos, into which he was bamshfd by Nero Caesar."

As this is the oldest and best version of the work in the world, this testimony is of vast importance in determining the time when the book was written, and the person by whom John was banished to Patmos.

The language in which, it was written. This, no doubt, was Hebrew. The Kodesh Lashon, holy tongue, the inspired language of God, venerated among all nations, Jews and Gentiles. St. John had a copy of the law and t he prophets with him : all the Apostles carried a copy $f both with them wherever they went ; the Greek version was scarce and very unpopular among the Jews, because not given by inspiration, as was the Hebrew Scriptures. And, indeed, the Rabbins forbid the reading of it in the synagogues, as it was written in a barbarous tongue. John could speak in the Greek tongue, but it is doubtful whether he could write it as fluently and correctly as Hebrew. His Book of Revelation is so full of Hebraisms and Rabbinical expression, that it is evident to me that his work was originally written in the Holy tongue, especially as it would be considered more sacred : and this is my reason for adhering so closely to the Hebrew text, and not the Greek text of this work.

Hence, Alpha and Omega. One like the son of man. The two-edged sword. One of the elders answered, (inquired.) The seven stars are (represent.) The seven golden candlesticks are (represent.) Chap. 1 : .20. I will give to eat, (cause to partake of.) John 6 : 53. A new name written, (engraven.) He that hath an ear to hear (to understand and obey.) Shall be clothed in w r hite raiment (be made holy, or constituted a priest.) I will not blot out (excommunicate.) Chap. 3 : 5. Sir, T"^ thou knowest. Chap. 7 : 14. John 5 : 7. A door was opened (a prophecy explained.) Come , up hither (look, examine this.) And there was set (prepared, fixed.) Four beasts, (greai; men, chief men.) Chap. 4 : 6. He loosed (opened, revealed.) Chap. 5 : 2. The white horse and his rider (salvation and its author.) Chap. 6:2. The four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds thereof. Chap 7:1. The Tree of Life. The fire proceeding out of his mouth. The key of David, and key of the bottomless pit. The angel flying through the midst of heaven, having, &c. The number of the horsemen, two hundred thousand thousand, for an innumerable number. Seal up the roll — eat it up ; shall be sweet in thy mouth, but bitter in thy bowels'.

Chap. 10: 9, 10. The great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns; the old serpent, called the Devil and Satan. His tail (magistrates.) War in heaven (persecution in the church.) Michael and his angels (Christ and his ministers) fought (contended) by faith and prayer. Chap. 12: 3 ; 4 ; 7. The sea of glass, harps of salvation, are all Rabbinical as well as symbolic language, which proves that the work was originally written in Hebrew, and afterwards translated into Greek or Syriac, and then Arabic. Some of our best scholars have been greatly perplexed with the Greek of the Apocalypse. See Middleton on " Son of Man." Also **i tsass- en. Pp. 660 ; 664.

The beast with the seven heads. This is variously understood. Some think the Pope to be the beast; others the Protestant, or Henry the Eighth; and some the Roman empire ; and others Mahomed. And a late author has, as he thought, identified Napoleon Buonaparte as the beast. And the last author, and perhaps the least of all, makes out Daniel's beast to be a heathen emperor.

The various modes of interpretation adopted by different authors. Some have taken a literal view of it ; others a spiritual, and some an allegorical view of it. Some have viewed it prophetically, and interpreted it as such, and all their spurious predictions of different remarkable events, which they asserted should take place at a certain time, have utterly failed, and the only service they have rendered the world is to make madmen or fools of the people. We hope in future the people will learn wisdom from the things which they have lately suffered by Millerism and Mormonism.

The reason why the Book is not understood. 1. Because, not acquainted with the language in which it was written, and the Rabbinical and symbolic style of it. The seven churches of Asia understood it well; and if we had the same faith, wisdom, and grace, we should understand it also. It was revealed in a dungeon, written with tears, and sealed with blood ; and a blessing is promised to them who read, understand, and live according to it. 2. Sectarian views have led Catholics and Protestants into the most gross errors in their application of John's Book of Revelation. 3. A delicate regard for the opinions of wise and learned men have caused many to defer giving an opinion on it at all in opposition to such great and talented men. 4. Some are altogether literal, and others altogether spiritual in their views of it. One author, to outdo the whole of his predecessors, icent to heaven to see John himself, and came back with a revelation of a book already revealed. 5. Some, to gain notoriety, and others to make merchandise of it, have written volumes as large as the Bible upon it, without one original idea in their whole work ; they are simply reprints of other men's works. 6. Some authors who have had learning but no piety, and others piety but no learning, have both failed in their attempts to discover its meaning. See Dan. 10 : 12. 7. Others, who have had both combined, have failed to study the Scriptures for themselves in the

3.2 original, and have, with a slight variety, followed the steps of their predecessors. 8. There is a literal, spiritual, metaphorical, allegorical, and prophetic meaning to be attached to different parts of this book, and to know when and where to apply them is a matter of great moment.

Misapplication or misconstruction of any part of this Boole is adding to or taking from it, and of course we must come under the wo denounced in this Book.

We hope no person will be so uncharitable as to suppose the author has combined all the qualifications requisite to a proper understanding of this book. He certainly feels himself inadequate to the great task, but a sense of duty, and at the solicitation of many friends and eminent ministers, he has piiblished his opinion on this mysterious Book ; and if it shall prove to be a help to a better understanding of it, he shall feel amply paid. If not, and it should prove a failure, like all the rest, then we must wait patiently till the Most High shall make a new revelation of it. ]t was written in the end of the Jewish dispensation ; it may now, in the providence of God, be interpreted in the end of the Gentile dispensation, and this for a wise purpose.

What still confirms the views I have taken of the Revelation is this : Matthew, Mark, and Luke have all given an accurate account of our Lord's predictions respecting the zdter destruction of Jerusalem ; but St. John has entirely omitted this in his Gospel : his revelation serves, therefore, as a supplement to it, and as a commentary on all our Lord's predictions, as well as the Old Testament prophecies which refer to that event.

Finally, I have but one end in view in the publication of this work: the glory of God and the good of mankind ; and my object is not to please, but to profit. I have not studied style, but simplicity : I have endeavored throughout life work, as far as practicable, to use scriptural language. I have added a second class of notes, which were written in my juvenile days, when about twenty-two years of age. They may be useful to the pious and devoted Christian, though probably not such to the critical reader, who looks more to style than to good sense and reason.

WILLIAM L. ROY.

Brooklyn, December 1, 1847.

NOTES

ON

THE REVELATION.

CHAPTER L

THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly