And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Ver. 1. And at that time,] i.e., In the last days, and toward the end of the world; for in this chapter seemeth to he set forth the state of the Church in the last times, that it shall be most afflicted; yet she shall be fully delivered by Christ's second coming to judgment. Cyprian was in like sort wont to comfort his friends thus: Venit Antichristus, sed superveniet Christus; Antichrist cometh; but then Christ will come after him, and overcome him.
Shall Michael stand up,] i.e., The Lord Christ (that Prince of angels, and protector of his people), not a created angel, much less Michael Servetus, that blasphemous heretic, burned at Geneva, who was not afraid to say, as Calvin reporteth it, se esse Michaelem illum, Ecclesae custodem, that he was that Michael, the Church's guardian. David George, also another black-mouthed heretic, said that he was the one David foretold by the prophets, Jer 30:9 Ezekiel 34:23 Hos 3:5 and that he was confident that the whole world would in time submit to him.
Which standeth for the children of thy people.] For all the Israel of God, to whom Christ is a fast friend, and will be while "the government is upon his shoulder." Isa 9:6
And there shall be a time of trouble.] To the Jews by the Romans (after Christ's ascension, Mat 24:21), to the Christians by the Romists.
And at that time thy people shall be delivered.] The elect, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be secured and saved.
Every one that shall be found written in the book.] Called the "writing or catalogue of the house of Israel," Eze 13:9 and the "Lamb's book of life," Rev 21:27 which is nothing else but conscriptio electorum in mente divina, saith Lyra, the writing of the elect in the divine mind or knowledge; such are said to be written among the living in Jerusalem. Isa 4:3