Westminster Annotations, Revelation 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Vers. 1. AFter these things] After the former six seals opened, and the events thereof above specified, chap. 6. and before the seventh seal opened, and the trumpets thereupon delivered and sounded, chap. 8. 1, 2, 6.
four angels] Some understand it of bad angels, which restrained the gentle windes of Gods word and Spirit from refreshing his servants. An allusion to Cant. 4. 16. Joh. 3. 8. Acts 2. 2, 3. Others, of good angels, appointed by God either to hold back or let loose the windes of wars and troubles that from all parts of the world might fall in upon the Romane empire, Jer. 18. 17. and 49. 36. and 51. 1, 2. Dan 7. 2, 3.
standing on the four corners of the earth] Ready to do what the trumpet, being sounded, should give warning to be done.
holding the four windes] This sheweth the power given unto them.
on the earth, on the sea, nor on any tree] These are the things that use to be hurt by windes: the earth, by earthquakes, 1 Kin. 19. 11. Amos 1. 1. Matth. 24. 7. or, overthrow of houses built on it, Job 4. 19. Matth. 7. 27. The sea, by storms, Jon. 1. 4. Matth. 8. 24. Acts 27. 14. The trees, by blasting, renting and extirpation, Gen. 41. 6. Ezek. 17. 10. and 19. 12. Others understand men dwelling on the firm land, or in the islands and sea-coasts, or in the more wooddie and wilder parts. See chap. 9. 4.
V. 2. another angel] Most take it for Christ, who is the keeper of Gods great seal, Some, for an inferiour angel, appointed to set Gods mark on his servants. Others interpret it of Constantine, restraining and inhibiting the former persecutions of Gods people.
ascending] Or, coming from; Matth. 24. 17. An Hebraism, as 2 Kings 12. 18. Jer. 34. 21. and 37. 5. Chap. 13. 1. and 20. 9. but alluding withall to the course of the sun, who riseth higher and higher in his approach from eastern parts to us-ward.
from the east] Whence comfortable tidings are said usually to come; Isai. 41. 2. because from thence ariseth light, Luke 1. 78.
the seal of the living God] With Gods name on it, to set on the foreheads of Gods servants, chap. 14. 1.
with a loud voice] To shew his power and authority, and withall, to manifest the danger that might ensue, if the thing enjoyned were not instantly and suddenly done. So Gen. 22. 11.
to hurt the earth] By letting forth the windes of war and troubles upon the world. See v. 1.
V. 3. Hurt not the earth] Let there be peace and quietnesse in the Romane empire. This was fulfilled in Constantines time, and after.
the earth, &c.] See v. 1.
till we have sealed] He alludeth to the sealing mentioned, Ezek. 9. 4. wherewith some were sealed, that they might be safe and secured, as having their lives given them for a prey in the time of destruction, that was then shortly to ensue; Jer. 15. 11. and 39. 17, 18. and 45. 5. Hereby shewing, that God would take care for his, when wars and troubles should come, that they might be as safe as things sealed by a seal royall, which no subject dare meddle with, Dan. 6. 17. Matth. 27. 66. See chap. 3. 10. And indeed, had not God strangely preserved them, when by the invasion of barbarous nations the Romane empire was so sorely shaken and shattered, the Church of God had even utterly perished.
we have sealed] To shew the greatnesse of the work. One was not sufficient to mark so many thousands.
V. 4. of all the tribes] Some understand this of all the faithfull in generall, the whole Israel of God, Gal. 6. 16. all that belong to salvation, Acts 13. 48. and that are to be delivered from eternall destruction, 1 Thess. 1. 10. as those in Egypt from the sword of the destroying angel, Exod. 12. 7, 13. Heb. 11. 20. and so these should be the same with those mentioned, v. 9. Others, of such faithfull onelyonly as were by a speciall providence to be preserved in those times of publike concussion and calamitie, said therefore, by a solemn signe, to be marked out and sealed; which the other multitude, living in other after-times, needed not, nor is affirmed of them, v. 9. Again, others understand it of Jews or Israelites by naturall descent; but some such as are hereafter to be converted, Rom. 11. 26. Others, of those of that nation who retained the Christian profession (as many no doubt did) even in those times; Rom. 11. 1, 2. Acts 2. 41, 47. and 4. 4. and 21. 20. who yet are here reckoned by a definite number, though put for an indefinite, as numerable, in comparison of the Gentile converts, which are said to be innumerable, v. 9. and are sorted out according to the number of their tribes, to shew, that no faithfull, of what sort or rank soever, were excluded from having part in this priviledge. Of such sure, whether Jews by birth, or others, it must be understood, as were to live in the times of the terrible trumpets ensuing, for whose security and indemnity, this stay was made of their sounding upon the seventh seal opened, chap 8. 1, 2, 6.
V. 5. Of the tribe of Judah] The tribe of Dan is supposed to be omitted, because by idolatry they fell from the people of God, Judg. 18. 30. 1 Kings 12. 28, 29.
V. 7. Of the tribe of Levi] This tribe is added, to make good the place void by the defection of Dan: and to shew, that Gods ministers, though they had no part in the land of Canaan, yet have part in Gods protection here, chap. 3. 7, 10. and shall have a portion in heaven hereafter, Dan. 12. 3.
V. 8. Of the tribe of Joseph] That is, Ephraim, who, though he were not the eldest son, yet he is preferred before Manasseh, Gen. 48. 13, 14, 19.
of the tribe of Benjamin] The tribes are not here reckoned in that order they are in the old testament; but as it were promiscuously, to shew, that in Christ there is no respect of persons, Acts 10. 34, 35. Gal. 3. 28. Col. 3. 11.
V. 9. a great multitude] Some take this to be an exposition of what said before, vers. 4. and those sealed ones to be here meant. Others take it to be meant of a multitude of Gentiles added to the Israelites. See the notes on v. 4.
no man could number] Innumerable, in comparison of the former, v. 4. So Gen. 15. 5. Heb. 11. 12.
of all nations] Not sorted out by tribes, as those before, v. 4. because of so many severall nations, kinreds and countreys out of which they were called and gathered into the Church, chap. 5. 9.
stood] Sat not now, as the elders, chap. 4. 4. but stood, as presenting themselves, after their conflicts and conquests, chap. 15. 2. before God and Christ, chap. 4. 2. by whose power and providence they had been preserved, and enabled to overcome and persevere, chap. 12. 11. Rom. 8. 37.
with white robes] See chap. 3. 4. and 6. 11.
palms in their hands] In token that they were sure of victory: for palm-branches did men use to bear in triumph, and at festivities, Joh. 12. 3.
V. 10. with a loud voice] As desirous that all men might hear their thankfulnesse to God; 1 Chron. 15. 16. Psal. 66. 8, 16. and shouting aloud for joy, Psal. 140. 5.
Salvation to our God] The praise of our deliverance belongeth to our God; for we cannot deliver, nor could have delivered our selves, v. 12. Psal. 3. 8. Joh. 2. 9.
unto the Lamb] By whom God saved us, chap 12. 11.
V. 11. angels] Ministring spirits, Heb. 1. 14.
round about the throne] As attending on God; Dan. 7. 10. See notes on chap. 5. 8, 11.
and about the elders] About them, as a guard, Psal. 34. 7. 2 Kings 6. 16, 17.
fell before the throne, &c.] See notes on chap. 4. 10.
V. 12. Amen] They confirm the praise given God by the saints, v. 10. and then explain and enlarge it further, concluding with Amen again.
blessing, &c.] See chap. 5. 12.
V. 13. one of the elders] See chap. 5. 5.
answered] Spake, as Matth. 11. 25. or, answered his doubts, though not his words.
V. 14. thou knowest] I know not, but desire to know of thee.
came cut of great tribulation] Have suffered much for the cause of Christ, Acts 14. 22.
made them white] Are cleansed from the guilt of their sins, not by their sufferings, but by the blood of Christ, chap. 1. 5. by the vertue whereof also they obtained the victory, chap. 12. 11.
V. 15. before the throne of God] Admitted to a neer attendance upon God, Deut. 10. 8.
day and night] Continually. An allusion to the Levites services and watchings, Psal. 134. 1.
shall dwell among them] Or, oversha…ow them: or, spread a tent over them. For defence and protection. See Isa. 4. 5. Psal. 31. 20. Chap. 21. 3.
V. 16. they shall hunger no more] Isa 49. 1. and 65. 13. They shall be brought to a condition free from all want, Psal. 34. 10. and 84. 11.
the sun light on them] They shall then be free from all annoyances and distemp…rs, Psal. 105. 39. and 121. 6. Isa. 49. 10.
V. 17. in the midst] Chap. 5. 6.
shall seed them] Shall provide for their souls, till he bring them to full happinesse, Psal. 23. 1, 2.
and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes] Chap. 21. 4. Isa. 25. 8. He shall give them so much joy, that they shall forget all their troubles, and shall have no cause to grieve ever after, Joh. 16. 20, …2.