2. gather all nations, &c.--The prophecy seems literal (compare
Joe 3:2).
If Antichrist be the leader of the nations, it seems inconsistent with
the statement that he will at this time be sitting in the temple as God
at Jerusalem
(2Th 2:4);
thus Antichrist outside would be made to besiege Antichrist within the
city. But difficulties do not set aside revelations: the event will
clear up seeming difficulties. Compare the complicated movements,
Da 11:1-45.
half . . . the residue--In
Zec 13:8, 9,
it is "two-thirds" that perish, and "the third" escapes. There,
however, it is "in all the land"; here it is "half of the
city." Two-thirds of the "whole people" perish, one-third
survives. One-half of the citizens are led captive, the residue
are not cut off. Perhaps, too, we ought to translate, "a (not 'the')
residue."
JFB.
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