parts of the first edition. We have observed before, that this is the
manner of the prophets on a large scale, especially in predicting "the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." So it is with
John and Paul. What the latter only hints at, when writing to Timothy,
(1 Tim. iv. 1-3,) he enlarges upon in addressing the Thessalonians. (2
Thess. ii. 3-12.) The theme is the same as treated by these two
apostles; and this coincidence will in due time be more manifest. Next
to Christ personal, the prophets have been interested in the destiny of
Christ mystical.

Three different views of this twelfth chapter have been taken by the
more sober and learned expositors. One considers it as referring to the
Roman empire in its heathen state, prior to the time of Constantine.
Another understands the first part of this chapter,--(vs. 1-6,)--as
relating to Rome pagan, and the rest of the chapter to antichristian
Rome. A third conceives that the whole of it applies to apostate
imperial Rome _only_. The last is doubtless the correct view.

As the "sealed book" and the "little open book," must be supposed to
contain all the prophetical part of the Apocalypse; and as the whole of
the little book is comprised in the eleventh chapter, (vs. 1--13,) this
twelfth chapter must belong to the sealed book. Being a continuance of
the history under the seventh seal, although it may agree in time with
some of the trumpets, it cannot go back to a period prior to the seventh
seal. But under the sixth seal, paganism was abolished in the Roman
empire; therefore this chapter refers to the antichristian empire.
Moreover, as the little book was introductory to the seventh trumpet,
designating the object of the third woe, so this chapter and the next
two, are wholly occupied in describing the object of the vials, (ch.
16.)