Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 12:14

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle , that she might flie into the wilderness into her place : where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time from the face of the serpent .

To the sincerer part of Christians (represented by the Woman, v. 1.) and by the Temple, and Altar, and those that worshipped therein, viz. in the Oracle where the Altar stood, ch. 11.1.

The Eagle being the Ensign of the Roman Empire, and Theodosius having two Sons, Honorius and Arcadius, betwixt which he divided the Empire, making Honorius the Emperor of the West, and Arcadius of the East, leadeth some very judicious Interpreters to expound this Passage of the Providence of God (by this Division of the Empire about the year 390) in some measure securing his Church from the great Troubles that presently ensued. For in the year 411, Alaricus King of the Goths took Rome, and continual Troubles so ensued, that by the year 480, the Western Empire was quite extinguished, ending in Augustulus, who, because of his manifold Afflictions, is supposed to be the Star mentioned, ch. 8.10, 11. called Wormwood, who fell upon the founding of the third Trumpet.

By the Wilderness is here undoubtedly meant some places which were like a Wilderness for Solitariness, where the Church might have some rest.

The place said to be by God prepared for the Church, v. 6.

where God hid, and protected, and provided for his People a certain time, expressed in the next words. I know not whether we need be so critical or no, or whether it be not safer to expound all the foregoing words more generally, viz. That God graciously provided for his People hiding-places against the Storm now coming upon the whole Roman Empire, bearing them▪ as it were, upon Eagles Wings, as he did his old Israelites when he brought them out of Egypt. It is the very Phrase used by God, Exod. 19.4.

Marginal references: For a time, and times, and half a time. It is apparent, that the same space of time is here meant, that is mentioned, v. 6. and called twelve hundred and threescore days. Most Interpreters agree, that it signifieth three years and an half, consisting each of them of 360 prophetical days, that is, years; for altho we count 365 days to the year, (and there are strictly so many, besides some odd hours) yet anciently they counted but 360, leaving out the five odd days, (as we do now the odd Hours and Minutes, which in 4 years make up an odd day, which makes every fourth year Leap-year▪) Now 3 times 360 make up 1080, to which add 180 for the half year, it makes just 1260, the number of days mentioned, v. 6. If any inquire why what was expressed by 1260 days there, is thus expressed here? it is answered, To make this comport with the Prophecy of Daniel, ch. 7.25. and 12.7. where it is thus expressed.