Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 2
LECTURE II.
Vers. 2.
And I saw another Angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3.
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
WE have had some little view of that sad condition which the Church was to be into by the storm of heresie from all airths blowing upon her: which storm, we conceive, foretelleth the rising of the Arrian, Macedonian, and other Heresies, but especially the rise and growth of Antichrist and the Churches defection under him, 1. Because these winds did immediately set upon the Church after her freedom from open persecution, and so falleth in the very same time unto which this prophesie belongeth. 2. Because the event, being compared with the prophesie, will be found exceedingly agreeable to it; yea, the scope of this, being to shew the next great trial of the Church after the close of open persecution, it must be understood of these foresaid Errors and defection, which are the second mean used by the devil to undo the Church. 3. What we said in the former Lecture, clearing the scope of this prophesie to be Gods guarding of His People against that storm which cometh by the trumpets and beast, Chap. 8, 9, and 13. doth also confirm this, that the storm here principally meaned, is that defection under Antichrist, seing this seal is particularly to guard against it, which cometh with power and lieing wonders, 2 Thess. 2.
We come now to consider the consolation which the Lord giveth unto His people, to guard and comfort them against that storm. It hath two parts, as is said. The first sheweth Gods care of them before the storm come; the second expresseth their happy outgate from it. The first is from the second Verse unto the ninth; and the second, from the third Verse unto the close of the Chapter.
The first consolation, is described in these four, 1. The instrument of it. 2. His going about it according to his commission. 3. The persons whom this consolation concerneth. Lastly, The event is observed to be answerable to what was intended, all being sealed who were designed to be exempted by God.
1. The instrument, vers. 2. He is called another Angel, &c. He is described in three, 1. That he is an Angel. 2. Ascending from the east. 3. From his office or trust, that he had the seal of the living God. 1. By Angel, we understand no created Angel but Christ Jesus the Angel of the Covenant, called Michael, Chap. 12. For, 1. it is Christ who chiefly taketh part with the Elect, and provideth so that none can pluck His sheep out of His hand; and with His Angels (Chap. 12.) fighteth against the Dragon and his. 2. Because the keeping of the seal of the living God (as great Lord-keeper or Chanceller under Him) belongeth only to the Mediator. 3. In the words following, He crieth authoritatively, and giveth order to the other Angels who were overseers of the judgement; by which it appeareth to be some eminent Angel unto whom these properties do agree, which is none other but Jesus Christ, though He may have other Angels employed under Him, as it is, Chap. 12.
2. He is said to ascend from the east: either alluding unto Christs names of Sun, Light, Star, Morning, &c. shewing that as all light cometh from the east, so all comfort cometh by Christ, who seasonably and refreshfully manifesteth His care of His Church, as the rising of the Sun after darknesse: in which respect (Mat. 24.27.) Christs coming is spoken of as lightning from the east. Or, it may be in allusion to that entry of the Temple upon the east, by which only the Prince was to ascend, Ezek. 44.2, 3. whereby may be signified who this is who thus cometh into His Church in a soveraign, princely way.
3. He is said to have the seal of the living God; to shew His immediate trust under Him, (the keeper of the seal among men being next unto the King) whereby he hath absolute power to exempt from trials or not; which is, upon the matter, equivalent to that of His having the keyes of the house of David committed unto Him.
2. His manner of executing His Office, or Trust, is expressed in these three, 1. In that He is said to cry with a loud voice unto the four Angels, &c. By which is holden forth, 1. His Authority in commanding. 2. The imminency of the hazard that made Him cry to have it prevented. 3. Carefulnesse in Him to have it for a time restrained. The second thing in the execution, is, the parties to whom He cryeth, that is, to the four Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. By which we may gather, 1. That the Commission of these Angels, was not principally to restrain judgement, but to execute it. 2. That there is a power and Authority derived from God, even in these judgements whereby the earth is hurt. 3. That Angels are subject to our blessed Lord Jesus, not only in receiving of their Commission, but in the execution of it; they cannot act but by orders from Him. 4. That He cryeth first to them and to all of them, sheweth both His care of His People, when they are not minding their own hazard, He is providing for them; and also His wisdom, in taking the right way in manifesting of it.
3. There is the matter of His cry, vers. 3. saying, hurt not the earth, &c. till we have sealed, &c. Which words hold forth, 1. Christs great design in His coming and suspending this judgement, it is the safety of His People. 2. We may see His peremptorinesse in ordering all things in reference to that end. This judgement is not simply discharged; for, afterward it may hurt the earth, but it is so bounded and ordered, and that peremptorily, as not to blow or hurt till Gods People be provided for it, and that they may be keeped from the hurt of it, The restriction untill, &c. beareth out this.
3. The objects about which this care is taken, are the servants of our God, so called, not as all creatures are, nor as some speciall Ministers are, but as such who by speciall compact and agreement have given up, and Covenanted themselves to be so, and in their conversations carry suitably to that engagement. Thus all Israel, especially true Israel, are called the Lords servants, Levit. 25.55. in opposition to Idolaters who worshipped other gods; and thus, true servants, are described by this, that they desired to fear His name, Neh. 1.11. in opposition to hypocrites, who say, and do not. In sum, by servants are understood such, as adhere to God in a declining time, and do not enslave themselves to Antichrist with the rest of the world, as it is Chap. 13. He saith, of our God, because Christ, as Mediator and Head of the Body, standeth in a joynt relation to God with His People, as it is, Ioh. 20.17. my God, and your God, &c. which is a special consolation unto them, and marked here as a special priviledge.
4. The effect of the execution of His Commission, is marked, vers. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. wherein His faithfulnesse in sealing of the Elect, is set down, 1. generally in the number it self and of whom they were, verse 4. 2. More particularly, they are distributed in the Verses following. The scope of all which, is, to shew, 1. The exactnesse of this Angels performing of what was intrusted to Him. 2. That none missed who were in His roll. 3. To shew that it was the very persons designed of God, and therefore they are marked here and there of severall tribes, and not indistinctly together. That circumstance, vers. 4. and I heard the number of them that were sealed, is added to shew the certainty of Iohns record, he being, as it were, an …ar witnesse thereunto. That we may more particularly take up the meaning of this, we are to enquire, 1. What is meant by Israel, out of whom these are said to be marked. 2. What is meaned by the particular distribution of them in so many Tribes, and so many thousands of every Tribe. By Israel and the Tribes thereof, sometimes in Scripture are understood the Israelites who were come of Iacob according to the flesh; this is the most proper and usuall meaning. Sometimes again, by Israel is understood the Church of God under the Gospel, who professe the faith of Abraham, of what ever Nation and People they be of, as Gal. 3.29. and 6.16, &c. called Israel, 1. Because they are a spiritual seed to Abraham, who is the father of all them that believe. 2. Because they are admitted to the same essentiall priviledges and promises which the Israelites once had, Rom. 11.17.24. they are ingrafted in the same olive-tree; and now in Christ Iesus there is neither Iew nor Gentile. 3. It is f…quent to set forth the worship of the New Testament under the names of that which belongeth to the Old, and to st…le the Gospel-church by the name of Ierusalem which is above; and therefore it is agreeable to this, that the professours of the New Testament should passe under the title of Israel, especially in this prophesie, in which the old titles are to frequently applied unto the new state of the Church. We conceive, the last, to wit, the spiritual seed of Abraham, or the Gospel-church, to be meaned here by the Tribes of Israel, and not Iews by nature only, And that beside the former generall reasons, upon these three considerations,
1. Such are understood by Israel here, as were to be keeped free from Antichrists pollution: Now, these are not only Iews, but mainly Gentiles, as the event, and time, to which it is applicable, doth evince. 2. If by this sealed number of a 144000. we are to understand all these, who during Antichrists tyranny shall be keeped free of his pollutions, and if they are to be contradistinguished from the plurality of the Church who wondereth and goeth a whoring after the beast, Then they cannot understand them to be Iews only, but the pure part of the Church of whatsoever Nation they be: But the former is clear, to wit, that by these are to be understood all the pure part of the Church, as contradistinguished from Antichrists followers, as will appear, 1. By comparing the end of their sealing here with Chap. 9. vers. 4. and 13. vers. 8. for, they that are sealed here, are the servants of our God, to wit, all who adhere to Him. 2. The end of their sealing, is, to keep them from that defection whereinto all others not sealed, are involved, as the effect cleareth. 3. These that are passed by, are left open to this storm, and carried away with it, Therefore this sealing must take in all the Elect during that time, of whatsoever Nation they be, seing no Elect can be understood to be unsealed, and so left open to this storm, as is clear, Chap. 9.4. They must therefore be understood under the name of Israel who are thus sealed. 2. It will further appear by comparing this with Chap. 14.1, 2, 3, 4, where these 144000. are particularly mentioned as the Virgine-church, distinguished from the adulterous world, and that at the turn of Antichrists dominion, as if it were particularly recorded, that notwithstanding of Antichrist's tyranny and the worlds defection with him, yet all whom God had appointed to life, were keeped from that defection, And therefore this number must comprehend all such (being a definit for an indefinit) who during his tyranny should be keeped free; and therefore it is not to be astricted unto the naturall Iews. 3. The distinguishing of Iews here from that innumerable company (ver. 9.) of all Nations, doth clear this; For; they are distinguished, not in respect of Nation or Kindred, as if by each of them were set forth some part of the Gospel-church contemporary one with the other, but in respect of diverse successive states of the Church, belonging to diverse times, as that however the Gospel-church immediately after the Christian Religion shall obtain liberty and authority, shall be brought unto great straits, and reduced to a few number (as Gods Church was in the dayes of the Old Testament) yet, it shall afterward break forth and flourish among all Nations, so that the Church in the latter dayes shall be as far extended for number and diversity of people beyond what the Church shall be under Antichrist, as the Gospel-church was at its first spreading, extended beyond the Church of the Iews: and therefore the whole pure professours of the Church, during this storm, being comprehended under these that are sealed out of the severall Tribes, it cannot be astricted unto the natural Iews.
That this comparison and opposition of Iews with Gentiles, or the smaller number with the greater, doth belong to several states of the Church, will appear by this, that these sealed ones are living in the time of a storm and great tribulation, and whileas pure profession, and professors of Jesus Christ are exceeding rare, as the scope here and the places formerly cited, Chap. 9.13, 14. do clear. That innumerable company again, are remarkable for their number, and are said to have come out of great tribulation (as if now the storm were past) as Victors and Conquerours having palms in their hands. This innumerable company therefore must denotate a following outgate of the former storm; and so by each of them, some condition of the whole Gospel-church, and not of Iews or Gentiles severally, is typified.
The second thing to be cleared, is, wherefore the number is so peremptorily determined and particularly distributed in several Tribes? Answ. 1. By what is said, it may be seen, that this definit number is indefinitely to be understood, not as if they were just so many in all, or in every Tribe alike. But, 2. For these reasons, 1. To shew that they were particularly determined by God and known to Him. 2. That though the defection was universal and great, yet there should be a considerable number reserved, as was of 7000, in Elias dayes. That yet in comparison of the whole world that was to follow the beast, that number was to be very small, as it is said in Isaiah, Though the number of Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet but a remnant shall be saved.
More particularly, this number is proportioned amongst the Tribes, to shew, 1. that God not only numbereth them in grosse and in common together, but hath the very particular and individuall persons, who are constituent of that number, marked and determined (to say so) both numero numerante & numero numerato. 2. To shew Gods soveraignity and good pleasure, in choosing some of every Kindred and Tribe, and His care in providing for them whom He hath chosen, of whatsoever Tribe they be.
Obs. 1. That Error oftentimes bringeth the Church; yea, the Saints, into the greatest hazards. What maketh Christ cry so, and maketh all this businesse? It is to mark the Elect, which supposeth them to be in great hazard: yea, that, (Matth. 24.24.) if it were possible, the very Elect should be deceived, sheweth it cometh near the march, even as near as possible; yea, often there is more fear and hazard to the Elect their Spirituall estate by Error, than there is by persecutions; yea, by grosse sins and tentations to them, as murder, adultery, &c. and moe are taken off their feet by the one than by the other, because it cometh under some pretext of Holinesse and Piety; in which respect it is said, the devil, in this tentation, transformeth himself in an Angel of light, 2 Corinth. 11. Believers had need to be watchfull against all evils, but in a speciall manner against this; it is no little difficulty, in a corrupt time, to stand it out. Obs. 2. The greater the danger be, Christ hath the greater care. This maketh Him cry and come down, whereas no such particular act of His is marked when the Church was suffering, Chap. 6. He had rather keep them from sin than suffering; yea, often Error hurteth more than suffering doth. More particularly Observe,
1. Christ is great Overseer of what concerneth His People; none can hurt, but as He giveth orders; all that execute judgement, are in a dependency on Him: which is a great consolation to His People. 2. He is never so angry at an ungrate world as to forget one Elect; in the midst of this storm, He remembereth them. So had God respect to one Noah in the old world, and to one Lot in Sodom; they could do nothing who were to execute that judgement, till he were set free. 3. God hath some Elect, and a Church under the greatest defection, even seven thousand when Elias thinketh there is not one, which should make us warry in censuring times and places to be altogether ungodly. 4. No Elect shall be finally seduced; that is not possible, Matth. 24. 5. That impossibility of finall seduction dependeth not on themselves, but on Gods decree and care in sealing them and preserving them from it, which maketh it true alway, Rom. 11.7. the election hath obtained, and none but they, for the rest were blinded. 6. If it be asked, why these sealed ones, who are the Elect, are called Servants of our God? I answer, It is a description of the Elect from their Holinesse, a fruit and effect of their Election; and to clear it, there is a twofold seal, 2 Tim. 2.19. one, known to God, He knoweth who are His by decree. The other, is the fruit and evidence of the former, and in these come to age, never separated, Let them who name the Lord depart from iniquity. In this last respect, they are called servants of God, for these reasons, which are so many grounds of Doctrine,
1. That wherever Election is, there is, or will be, holinesse and obedience, as a fruit of it; holinesse and obedience is a proof of Election as to men, or to ones own conscience; they are of equal extent. Hence (Eph. 1.4.) we are Elected to be holy: let not these things that God conjoyneth be separated. 2. None but these who are servants to God in some reall manner, can promise to themselves any benefit of Election, or freedom from any plague, and especially from this plague: Ezek. 9. these are marked only who were mourning for the abominations of the rest, and keeping themselves free. Losing a good conscience maketh shipwrack of the Faith, 1 Tim. 1.19. Let none plead for any benefit of Election whatsoever without this. 3. All that in some measure honour and obey God, are keeped from evil, and may promise to themselves immunity, as far as is requisit, when others cannot; 2 Tim. 2.21, If a man purge himself from these things, he shall be a vessel of honour, reserved for the masters use. 4. Holinesse hath many advantages; it is the best guard against Errors, to receive the Truth in love: it hath often an outward protection, as in Lot, Noah, &c. Psal. 34. The Angels pitch their tents about them. Obs. 5. Christ and we have but one God, Ioh. 20.17. I ascend to your Father, and my Father; and to my God, and your God. Lastly, God hath still a care of His Servants. The sum of all is this, If Christs care be much worth to souls, and it be advantage to have it, Be stirred up to holinesse as ye would be sure of it; and, as ye would be keeped free from the sins and judgements of the time, and have peace in your selves, Be servants of our God, and give up your selves to Him.