Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 6

1 AND I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals , and I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying , Come and see .

Iohn's Vision continueth still; by the Lamb he means Christ, the Lamb oft mentioned, chap. 5. and by one of the Seals, one of the seven Seals mentioned chap. 5.1. that were set upon the Book which Iohn saw in the Right-hand of God the Father, given to Christ, v. 7. Christ began to discover the Counsels of God relating to that first Period of his Church.

And Iohn heard one of the four living Creatures speaking to him with a great and terrible Voice like the Noise of Thunder.

Inviting him to come near, or to attend and see.

2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse ; and he that sat on him had a bow , and a crown was given unto him , and he went forth conquering, and to conquer .

Some, by this white Horse, understand the Gospel, others, the Roman Empire.

And by him that sat thereon with a Bow, some understand Christ going forth with Power to convert the Nations▪ others (and in my Opinion more probably) the Roman Emperors armed with Power.

And having the Imperial Crown,

carrying all before them. So as that which God intended by this to reveal to St. Iohn, was, That the Roman Emperors should yet continue, and use their Power against his Church. Those that understand by the white Horse, the Gospel, or God's Dispensations to his Church under the first Period, and by the Rider, Christ, (amongst whom is our famous Mede) think, that hereby all the time is signified from Christ's Ascens[illegible: 1 letter]on, which was in the 34th year after his Incarnation, till the time that all the Apostles were dead, that is, the first 100 years after Christ (for so long Histories tell us Iohn lived. It was the Age then current, and so may make up part of the Vision of things that were to come. The History of all but 40 of those years we have in the Acts, till Paul was carried Prisoner to Rome. In this Period ruled▪ Augustus Cesar, (in whose time Christ was born, Luke 2.1.) Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero, Galba, Otho, F. Vespasianus, Titus, and Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan, 10, or 11 in all. They went on conqu[illegible: 1 letter]ring, and to conquer the World. But till Nero's time, about the year 66, they did not begin to persecure the Christians; nor did Vespasian and Titus much rage, nor Domitian, till he had reigned 8 years; so as I leave it indifferent to the Reader, whether to understand by the white Horse and its Rider, God's dispensations of Providence to his Church these first years, causing his Gospel to prevail much, and conquering many to the Profession of it, or the Roman Empire with those that Ruled it: what is said is true of both.

Marginal references: Chap. 19.11▪

3 And when he had opened the second seal , I heard the second beast say, Come, and see.

The second of those two Seals, with which the Book mentioned chap. 5.1. was Sealed.

The Beast like a [illegible: 1 letter]alf, chap. 4.7.

Inviting Iohn to attend.

4 And there went out another horse that was red : and power was given to him that sat thereon , to take peace from the earth , and that they should kill one another : and there was given unto him a great sword .

Signifying Blood and Slaughter.

Either to Christ (as some say,) or, to those that ruled the Affairs of the Roman Empire at that time, to disturb the Peace of the Church.

Either to Christ (as some say,) or, to those that ruled the Affairs of the Roman Empire at that time, to disturb the Peace of the Church.

This was a time of much Blood.

And therefore a Sword is given to him that rode upon this Horse. Some think that this Period began with Nero, 34 years before the other ended (according to what was said before,) others make it to begin with Trajan, and t[illegible: 1 letter] comprehend 80 years, until the time of Commodus; in which time Trajan and Hadrian, and the three Antoninus's successively ruled the Roman Empire; the Reign of Trajan and Hadrian took up near half the time, in which time this Prophecy was most eminently fulfilled; for in Trajan's time the Iews Rebelling, and killing many subjects of the Roman Empire, to the number of 22000 in one place, and 240000 in another place, themselves were as miserably handled by the Roman Forces sent by Trajan and Hadrian ▪ who slew of them (as Histories tell us) five hundred and fourscore thousand: Nay, the Iews themselves say, they lost double the number of those who came out of Egypt, and more than they lost by Nebuchadnezzar, or by Titus when their City was taken; on the other side the Romans lost very many. Many Christians also were put to Death during this period, during which was the third and fourth Persecution.

5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come, and see . And I beheld, and lo, a black horse , and he that sat on him had a pair of ballances in his hand .

The third Beast was he who had the Face of a Man, who also inviteth Iohn to come and see what came forth upon his opening the third seal.

He seeth a Black Horse, and a Rider upon him, with a pair of Ballances. There is a difference amongst Interpreters what should be signified by this Black-Horse; some by it understand Famine, because a scarcity of Victuals bringeth Men to a black and [illegible: 1 letter]warthy colour; some understand by it Iustice, because the Rider is said to have a pair of Ballances in his hand; others understand by it Heresies and great Sufferings of the Church by Hereticks and others.

Either to give Men their Bread by Weight (as is usual in times of great scarcity;) or to measure out every one their due.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny , And see thou hurt not the oil and the wine .

Interpreters are at so great a loss, here to fix the sense, that some of them think this phrase signifies Famine and Scarcity: Others think it signifies great plenty. The Greek word here used, signifieth (say some) half a Bushel; others say it signifieth so much Bread-Corn as is sufficient for 4 Loaves; others say something more than a quart; others, so much as was allowed Servants for maintenance for a day: let it be which it will▪ it signifies no great scarcity; for the word signifying a Penny, signified but as much in our Money as came to seven pence half-penny. I think therefore Mr. Mede judgeth well, that by the black-Horse was signified not a time of Famine and Scarcity, but of plenty;

and the rather, because it is added, H[illegible: 2 letters]t not the Oil and the Wi[illegible: 2 letters]. and that the Balla[illegible: 3 letters]s in the Rider's hands signified not Scales to give Men their Bread by weight (as in a time of scarcity,) but the Ballance of Justice; nor will the colour of the Horse conclude the contrary. The whole therefore of this Prophecy seemeth to foretell that this Period, from the time of Commodus the Roman Emperor, who Ruled the Empire from the year 180, to 197; and was followed by Severus, Macrinus, Caracalla, and Heliogabalus, and Alexander Se[illegible: 2 letters]r[illegible: 1 letter]us the Son of Ma[illegible: 1 letter]o[illegible: 2 letters]as who came to the Empire in 222, and reigned to 237. should be a time of great Plenty and Civil Justice. Histories tell us of no Famine in that time, but large Stories of the great Care of two of those Emperors especially, for supplying their Countreys with Corn, and for the administring of Civil-Justice. The things foretold by the opening of this Seal, our famous Mede makes to have had their accomplishment with the determination of the Reign of Alexander Severus.

Marginal references: The word Phoenix signifi [illegible: 2 letters] [illegible: 1 word] measure containing one wine quart, and the twelfth part of a quart.; Chap. 9.4.

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come, and see.

The Beast mentioned chap. 4.7. that had the Face of a Flying Eagle, inviteth Iohn to attend to the opening of the fourth Seal, that is, the Revelation of the Counsels of God, as to what should happen to the Church (within the Roman Empire) in the fourth Period, which is conceived to have begun with Maximinus, about the year 237, and to have ended with the Reign of Dioclesian 294.

8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse , and his name that set on him was Death , and Hell followed with him : And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth , to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth .

An Horse of the colour of his Rider.

and bringeth them into the state of the Dead, (here translated Hell) whether Heaven or Hell as they have lived.

Over a great part of the Earth.

To kill Men all manner of ways, with the Sword, Famine, Pestilence, and by throwing them to wild Beasts. Interpreters judg that here was prophesied what should happen to the Roman Empire, and the Church within it from the time when Maximinus was made Emperour, which was about 237, to the time of Aurelianus, which was about 271. Some extend it to Dioclesian's time, which ended about 294; but Mr. Mede rather reserveth that for the 5th Seal; if the former time only be taken in, there was within it the 7th, 8th, and 9th Persecutions, Dioclesian began the Tenth and greatest of all. Within this time this Prophecy was eminently fulfilled, Maximinus destroyed all the Towns in Germany, for 3 or 400 Miles. There was a Plague lasted 15 years, together in the time of Gallus, who had the Empire, Anno 255. Three hundred and twenty thousand Goths were slain by Flavius Claudius. Maximinus and Gallienus were both great Butchers both to their own Subjects that were Heathens and to Christians. Gal[illegible: 1 letter]ienus is said to have killed 3 or 4000 every day: such Warrs and Devastations could not but be followed with Famine. Besides that we are confirmed in it both by the Testimony of Eusebius and Cypri[illegible: 1 letter]n; the latter of which lived within this Period.

Marginal references: Death, which makes Men look pale,; Or, him

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal , I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held .

This and the next Seals opening, is not prefaced with any living Creatures calling to Iohn to come and see. We must conside[illegible: 1 letter], 1. The number of the Beasts was but four, who all ha[illegible: 1 letter] had their courses. 2. Some have thought that it is, because here is no mention of any new Persecution, but a consequent of the former. 3. But this Vision was so plain, it needed no Expositor.

Still he speaks in the Dialect of the Old Testament, where in the Temple was the Altar of Burn[illegible: 1 letter]-Offering, and the Altar of Incense; the allusion here is judged to be the latter.

From whence we may not conclude, that the Souls of Men and Women when they die do sleep, as some Dreamers have thought. These are said to be the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, &c. for preaching the Word, and their profession of the Gospel, bearing a testimony to Christ and his Truths. Mr. Mede thinks that under this Seal is comprehended the ten bloody years of Dioclesian's Persecution, which of all others was most severe; Paganism at that time (as dying things are wont) most strugg[illegible: 1 letter]ng to keep it self alive. This Tyrant is said in the beginning of his Reign within thirty days to have slain seventeen thousand, and in Egypt alone, during his Ten years, 144000. He thinks that the Souls of those which this Wretch had slain throughout all his Dominions, within his short period of ten years, were those principally which were shewed Iohn upon the opening of this Seal.

Marginal references: Chap. 8.3. and 9.13. and 14.18.; Chap. 20.4.; Chap. 1.9. Chap. 19.10.

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true , dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth ?

Their Blood cried, or their Souls cried to God.

How long O Lord, holy, and therefore that canst not abide Iniquity, and of all iniquity canst least abide innocent Blood, which is the Blood of thy Saints, whose Blood is precious in thy sight.

And who are true to thy▪ Word of threatnings against Blood-thirsty Men, and to thy Promises for the deliverance of thy People.

Dost thou not judg our cause, and avenge us who have committed Vengeance to thee, not daring to avenge our selves upon wicked Men, who dwelling upon the Earth are seen, and their practices known to, and by thee, and are under thy power, so as thou canst at pleasure do it.

Marginal references: See Zech. 1.12.

11 And white robes were given to every one of them, and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season , until their fellow-servants also and their brethren that should be killed, as they were , should be fulfilled .

White Robes of Glory; for the white Robes of Christ's Righteousness, and of an Holy Life, were by them put on before they were slain,

That they should be satisfied, and acquiesce in God's Dispensations.

For God had yet more faithful Witnesses to be martyred (though not in such Flocks as before,) who should die for the same Faith and Profession.

When the number of those his Martyrs should be compleated, he would avenge their Blood upon their Enemies.

Marginal references: Chap. 3.4, 5. & 7.9, 14.

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal , and lo, there was a great earthquake , and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair , and the moon became as blood .

The sixth of those Seals with which the Book was sealed, mentioned chap. 5.1. this signifieth the revelation of some things which should happen in some certain period of time, but what period is the question, as to which Interpreters differ; some think the time when Ierusalem was taken; but this was a time past 26 or 27 years before Iohn was in Pa[illegible: 1 letter] mos, where he had this Vision about things that shall be, ch. 1.1. & 22.6. Some think that period of time which shall be immediately before the day of Judgment; but that guess seemeth worse, for after this there was a seventh Seal▪ to be opened. Some think the period of the Churches conflict with Antichrist; but Mr. Mede's Judgment (followed by many other famous Men) seems best, that it denotes that Period when Constantine the first Christian Emperor restored Peace to the Church, by overturning the whole Pagan State, and making Christianity the Religion of the greatest part of the World. This was about the year 311, and perfected upon his Victory over Licinius 325, in this I acquiese. Let us now see how what is said in this and the following Verses about this Period will agree to that time.

The great Question is here, what is meant by th[illegible: 1 letter]s great Earthquake, the darkning of the Sun, the Moon becoming as Blood, &c. No History recording any such Prodigies, hath made many (taking these things in the natural literal sence) to say the Period under the first Seal signifies either the time when Ierusalem was taken, or the Day of Iudgment: but there is a Metaphorical sense of these expressions, very usual in the Prophetical writings, to shew great changes in States; and in this sense it is to be taken here. Thus the Prophet describeth the great change God would make in Ierusalem, Isa. 29.6. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with Thunder, and with Earthquake, and great noise, with Storm and with Tempest, and the flame of devouring Fire. and Jer. 15.9. Her Sun is gone down while it is yet day. And Ezek. 32.7. the change God would work in the Ruine of Egypt, is thus exprest: When I shall put thee out, I will cover the Heavens, and make the Stars thereof dark, and the Moon shall not give her light: all the bright Lights of Heaven will I make dark over thee. So Joel. 2.10, 31. and ch. 3.15. What is an Earthquake, but the shaking of the Earth? And under this Notion God expresseth the changes he makes in States and Kingdoms, Isa. 2.19, 21. and 24.18. Hag. 2.6, 7. Thus by Earthquake here, is to be understood a great change in the Roman Empire.

The Sun signifies those that are in the highest Power.

The Moon, those that are next to them in Place and Dignity.

Marginal references: Mat. 24.29. Act. 2.20.

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind .

This is but another Phrase signifying a great change; the whole Verse is much the same with Isa. 34.9. litterally these things were never yet fulfilled. It is a Phrase signifying the Fall of great and mighty Men.

Marginal references: Or, green figs.

14 And the heavens departed as a scrowl when it is rolled together ; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places .

Two Expressions more signifying the same thing. The first is used by the Prophet, to signifie the change God would make in the State of the Edomites, Isa. 34.4. as will appear by comparing what that Prophet saith, with what Ieremiah, Ezekiel, and Obadia[illegible: 1 letter] say, upon the same Argument, Ier. 49. from [illegible: 1 word] 7 to 22. and Ezek. 35.

All sorts of People shall be destroyed, or all the Paganish Religion shall be rooted out.

Marginal references: Chap. 16.20.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and evey free-man , hid themselves in the dens, and the rocks of the mountains .

A Terror shall fall upon all sorts of Men, high and low.

See Isa. 2.19. and, like Men affrighted, they shall seek for themselves hiding-places, where they can think themselves most secure. See Isa. 2.19.

16 And said to the mountains and rock[illegible: 1 letter], Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne , and from the wrath of the Lamb :

See Hosea 10.8. Luke 23.30. They shall be in a great consternation, and be ready to take any course for security

from the Wrath of God, and of

Jesus Christ.

Marginal references: Chap. 9.6.

17 For the great day of his wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand ?

For this Judgment that is upon us, is the effect of his wrath for our abusing, and persecuting his Members;

and we with all our Courage, Might, and Power, are not able to abide his Wrath. These words import, That in this great change, as the greatest Persons should be at loss what to do, so they should perish under a Conviction, that the great Vengeance of God was come upon them for their opposing the Gospel, and provoking Christ by persecuting of his Members. There are other more particular Explications of the Sun, Moon, Stars, Heavens, &c. but they all cente[illegible: 1 letter] in this General; That here is prophesied a great and universal Change of the R[illegible: 1 letter] ligion of the World, which should strike a great Terror into the Pagan Rulers, and issue in the overturning of all their Altars, and Temples, and the Ruine of the great Men, relating either to their Civil, or Ecclesiastical State; and that they as last should know tha[illegible: 1 letter] God was God, and that these Judgments came upon them for their Opposition to Christ. And (which addeth strength to this Interpretation) Mr. Dur[illegible: 1 letter]am hath observed, that no so short Period of Time hath produced so many remarkable Jugments, and extorted so many ingenuous Confessions from Enemies, that what came upon them was for their Persecutions; and a Catalogue of which may be found in Mr. Mede, and in Mr. Durham. Mr. Mede reckoneth Galerius, Maximinus, and Licinius. Galerius was eaten up of Worms, being before he died sensible of his Guilt, ceasing from his Persecution, and begging the Christians Prayers. Maximinus, another Roman Emperor (or Partner in the Empire with the former) being beaten by Licinius, fled to Tarsus, and there fell upon his Pagan Priests, who had deceived him by their lying Oracles, and made a Decree for the Christians Liberty; but God would not suffer so bloody a Wreth to die after the ordinary Death of Man; he died miserably through intolerable Pain, his Eyes dropping out of his Head. Licinius was a Christian, and joined a while with Constantine, but apostatized; was overcome in two Bat[illegible: 1 letter]el[illegible: 1 letter], taken, and by him put to death. All these three were within the space of 18 years. Mr. Durham to these adds th[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 letter]nstances of Dioclesian and Maximinian, little above 20 years before, in the heat of their Persecution making a stop, and through an Horror of Conscience▪ laying down their Imperial Dignity, and Maxentius drowned in the River Tyber; and he saies Licinius before-mentioned, before he died, revenged himself upon his idolatrous Priests that had perswaded him to forsake Constantin[illegible: 1 letter] 's God. The change was so great in the Empire, upon Constantine the Great his coming to the Throne, by the Death of some great Persons, turning others ou[illegible: 1 letter] of place, destroying the whole Frame and Practice of the Pagans Religion, that it might well be expressed by Earthquakes, the Sun turning black, the Moon as Blood, the Stars falling from Heaven to Earth, the Heavens departing lik[illegible: 1 letter] a S[illegible: 1 letter]rowl, and the removing of Islands and Mountains, and by the Consternation it would bring all the Pagan great Men into, &c. And this time, which was a Period of obout 25 or 27 years, is thought to be understood to be the time predicted upon the opening of the sixth Seal. Thus we see the Dragon's Reign at an End in about 311, or 325 years after Christ. The Empire, as Pagan, persecuting the Church of Christ, and following it with Ten successive Persecutions, quite overturned, and a Christian Emperor, Constantine the Great, ruling it. But we must understand these great things were not perfected in a few Months, some Relicts of Paganism remained; for tho Constantine shut up the Pagan Temples, ye[illegible: 1 letter] all the Idols in them were not destroyed until the time of Theodosius, who began to rule in the Empire 379, and reigned 16 years. Betwixt Constantine and him, were Constantius, and Constans, Iulian the Apostate, and Iovianus, Valentinianus, Valens and Gratian: During some of whose Reigns (Iulian's especially) the Christians suffered much both from Pagans and Arrians, so that the Christians had not a full and perfect quiet till after 390.