Free Bible Commentary
“Selected Comments On Revelation”
Categories: RevelationInstead of reading the assigned Bible verses for today, I decided to post these excellent observations made by Homer Hailey in his Nevada Publications “The Book of Revelation, An Introduction and Commentary” found on pages 341-342. They serve as a good summary of some of the things we have read so far, and a good introduction to what we will be reading over the course of the next several days.
“The character and lot of two women and two cities occupy a prominent place in the second section of the book. Chapter twelve opened with the introduction of a woman arrayed with the sun, having the moon under her feet and a crown of stars upon her brow. She gave birth to a man child, the Christ, and was then forced to flee into the wilderness, where she was nurtured and protected. She had other children, those who kept the commandments of God and held the testimony of His Son. Now a second woman is introduced—a harlot, the direct opposite of the first—who is arrayed in all the embellishments of earthly splendor. She has on her forehead a name which identifies her as the mother of the harlots of the earth. Each woman is further identified as a city, the latter as the great city, Babylon, which holds sway over the kings of the earth who make war against the saints. The fall of Babylon has been introduced and now the nature of the city and its complete fall are enlarged upon. The first woman, arrayed in light, is identified as ‘the beloved city’ (20:9), the holy city, New Jerusalem, ‘made ready as a bride adorned for her husband’ (21:2). These two women, and the cities they personify, stand in direct antithesis to each other in character, position, and destiny.
“In the comments on chapter twelve the woman was identified as the faithful remnant of God’s people; she represented all His redeemed ones—His church or people in the broadest and most inclusive sense… The harlot symbolizes pagan Rome, which in turn represents the world of lust, all that is seductive, enticing, and appealing to the desires of the flesh and mind… Satan has three approaches by which he seeks to destroy the work and people of God: (1) Political or brute force, symbolized by the beast out of the sea; (2) false religion, whether paganism or perverted revealed religion—apostates who hold and teach false doctrines—symbolized by the beast out of the earth; and (3) the world of lust, all that appeals to the flesh and mind (Eph. 2:3; 1 John 2:15-17), represented by the harlot. Against these three the early church waged relentless war; and against these the saint of today must stand immovable and uncompromising. There may be less political force used today, but it continues to operate through political, economic, or social pressures brought to bear on the Christian’s actions to turn him from Christ, or cause him to deny the faith.”
Lord willing we will read Revelation 17:1-7 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
-Louie Taylor
