Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 12:5

5 And she brought forth a man-child , who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron : and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne .

By this Man-child, some understand Constantine the Great; others understand Christ mystical, or many Children brought forth unto God. As the Iews multiplied, do Pharaoh what he could to destroy them, so the Church increased, notwithstanding all the Malice and Rage of her Enemies.

Interpreters accordingly are divided concerning the Person or Persons here spoken of, that should rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron. It was prophesied of Christ, Psalm 2.9. That he should break the Nations with a Rod of Iron. It is applied to the Servants of Christ, who overcome, and keep Christs words to the end, ch. 2.27. So, as it is here applicable to Believers, whom the Church should bring forth, who shall judge the World, (as the Apostle tells us); and I had rather thus interpret it, than concerning Constantine the Great.

These words are something hard to be interpreted. To interpret it of Christ's being taken up into Heaven, is to turn a mysterious Prophecy into a plain Relation, or History of things past. To interpret it concerning Constattine the Great, seemeth very hard; for how was he, more than any other Christians caught up to God, and to his Throne? If we say, when he died, so are they; if we say the Imperial Throne is here understood by God's Throne, it seemeth to me very hard, for altho of Magistrates God saith, I have said ye are Gods, yet their Thrones are never called God's Throne; I had rather give this Phrase a more general Interpretation, viz. God took this Off-spring of the Woman into his Royal Protection, so as the Dragon could not devour it, it was out of his reach.

Marginal references: Chap. 19.15.