At the opening of the gospel dispensation, and at
no other time; for then the glory of this dispensation, like the light
of the sun, had just risen upon her; the former dispensation, which,
like the moon, shone with a borrowed light, had just passed and lay
beneath her feet. And twelve inspired apostles, like a crown of twelve
stars, graced the first organization of the gospel church. To this
period these representations can apply, but to no other. The prophet
antedates this period a little by referring to the time when the church
with longing expectation was awaiting the advent into this world of the
glorious Redeemer.
A man child here represented as the offspring of this woman, appears
upon the stage. This child was to rule all nations with a rod of iron,
and was caught up to God and his throne. Verse 5. These declarations are
true of our Lord Jesus Christ, but of no one else. See Ps. 2:7-9; Eph.
1:20, 21; Heb. 8:1; Rev. 3:21. There is therefore no mistaking the
time when the scenes here described took place. We mention these facts
for the purpose of identifying the power symbolized by the dragon; for
the dragon stood before the woman, to devour her child as soon as it
should be born.
Pages:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33