their position has changed; and, then on earth as affecting the Jews, during the period in which God’s purpose, and therefore those interested in it, as a body, flee, in consequence of the dragon’s actings, into the wilderness, where they are nourished of God; i.e. not in the order of God’s regulated covenant blessing, apparent in manifested relationship, but supremely as such; all this time, therefore, of the dragon’s prevalence in heaven first, or on earth, is the time of the hiding and apparent disregard of God’s relationship with his people, although the object of these relationships becomes visible when the earth comes in question, and the woman, though persecuted or fleeing, is seen on earth; i.e. the Jewish body as such in con-
rather identified with the priesthood and expectation of Christ, but that in a triumphant character, because accomplished by the casting down of Satan, and the kingdom now come, though not yet established for three years and a half upon earth.
Any application of this passage to the witnesses, must, however, limit the interval to three years and a half between their exaltation and the first manifestion of the Lord’s power, in putting down Antichrist, or the beast’s last head. But I apprehend the proper application, besides Christ, to be to the Church of the firstborn—his body, and to be undated, save by its precedence of all ulterior events, i.e. of all events below, and even of the war in heaven; for Christ and His body cannot take their new relative place on earth, till Satan and his angels are cast down.
