Exposition of Revelation, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
1. AND after these things, I saw four Angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
This Chapter consists of two general parts; First, Christ's special care of his Churches and Saints in those evil times, which were to come shortly, Vers. 1-9. Secondly, The peaceable and flourishing condition of the Church of God, after those evil times of the Roman Pagan Persecutions are past, Vers. 9. to the end of this Chapter.
[And after these things;] that is, after the former Visions and Matters revealed therein; [I saw four Angels standing on the four corners of the earth, &c.] By these [four Angels] we may understand literally, evil Angels; for the Devil is called the Prince of the power of the Air, Eph. 2.2. whom God suffered to raise a great wind that blew down the house wherein all Job's Children were feasting, Job 1.18, 19. and killed them. And Metaphorically, evil Ministers, such as the Apostle Peter called false Teachers, 2 Pet. 2.1, 2, 3. and such as the Apostle Paul called Ministers of Satan, 2 Cor. 11.13, 14, 15. deceitful Workers and false Apostles.
By [the four corners of the earth,] we may understand the four great Cities of the Empire, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Rome; And by [the four winds,] we may understand the fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel, in contradictinction to divers and strange Doctrines, Heb. 13.9. and Eph. 4.14. False Teachers cannot with-hold or hinder the Breathings of the holy Spirit, John 3.6, 7. and 1 Thess. 1.4, 5. but they may hinder and with-hold the wind of sound Doctrine from blowing upon the Church militant on earth; or [on the sea;] that is the Worship of God. See Chap. 4.6. or [any tree;] that is, fruitless Professors; as Luk. 13.7.
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.
This other Angel is Christ, called the Angel of God, Exod. 14.19-24. and the Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. HE is said to Ascend from the East, because he is the day-spring from on high, who will give light to them that sit in darkness, Luk. 1.78, 79. And he is also called the Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 4.2. who will rise unto, and shine upon the latter-day Saints, Isa. 60.1, 2, 3. [Having the Seal of the living God;] that is, the certain knowledge who are his, 2 Tim. 2.19. for all Gods Elect are chosen in him, Eph. 1.4. and given him of the Father, John 17.6-10. and Christ must loose none of them, John 6.37, 38, 39. HE hath redeemed them with his precious blood, Rev. 5.9, 10. and hath Sealed them by his holy Spirit, Eph. 1.13, 14. and 4.30. [And he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.] Given, that is, permissively God did suffer them to do, but the time of their power was restrained by Christ, who is the Head of all Principalities and Powers, Eph. 1.21, 22. HE is their sovereign Lord, and they are his Creatures, Col. 1.16.
3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
[Till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads;] that is, all Gods faithful servants, both Ministers and people, who were to be secured and preserved from these hurtful Angels, as Vers. 5.6. following. Whereby they were distinguished from all others, whom the four Angels were permitted to hurt, Rev. 9.4. And it was commanded them, that they should not hurt the Grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any Tree; but only those Men which have not the Seal of God in their foreheads; as Ezek. 9.4, 5, 6.
4. And I heard the number of them which were fealed: and there were sealed an hundred and fourty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the Children of Israel.
These [hundred and fourty and four thousand] sealed ones, were the seed of Abraham, Israelites indeed, the Children of Abraham by Faith, Gal. 3.7-26-28, 29. and Rev. 14.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. that is, a certain number known unto God and Christ, put for an indefinite number, not known unto any but God the Father, Word and Holy Spirit, Vers. 9.
5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Isachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8. Of the tribe of Zebulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
This mystical number of [twelve] seemeth to be taken from the twelve Apostles of the Lamb, whose Names were written in the Foundations of the holy City of God, called the new Jerusalem, Rev. 21.2-10-14. upon which foundations, (that is, the Doctrine of the Twelve Apostles) the Gospel Church of God is builded, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone, Eph. 2.19, 20, 21, 22 called the Heavenly Jerusalem; that is, the Church of the first-born, which are written in Heaven, Heb. 12.22, 23, 24. So then, by those many twelve thousands, we may understand the many thousands of Gods Spiritual Israel, both Jews and Gentiles converted to Christ under the Administration of the Gospel of the Grace of God, Vers. 9. A great multitude, which no man could number, of all Nations, and Kindreds, and People, and Tongues. Even all Christ's redeemed ones, Rev. 5.9, 10. The Lord having given his Gospel Churches the name of Zion, and Jerusalem and his Gospel Converts the name of Israel, doth here number them by Tribes; yea, by the Tribes of Israel; which is for the honour and dignity of his Churches of Saints in the latter days. The Twelve Tribes of Israel are not so reckoned any where in the holy Scripture, as they are here: Read Deut. 33.6-26. and 1 Cron. 2.1, 2. For neither Dan nor Ephraim are named here; that Tribe of Dan fell to Idolatry, 1 Kings 12.29, 30. and Ephraim was joined to Idols, Hos. 4.17. Those two Tribes being left out by Christ, are a Testimony of the displeasure of God against Idolatry, and all false Worship. God will not have any of them Sealed with his Seal in their foreheads, that receive the mark of the Beast in their foreheads. But to be left under the Dominion of Antichrist, to Worship the Beast and his Image, Rev. 13.8. whose Names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Not only Dan and Ephraim are omitted, but Reuben, the first-born of blessed Jacob, is passed by; for he went up to his Fathers Bed, Gen. 35.22, 23. And Judah hath the preheminence; for our blessed Saviour (who in all things hath the preheminence; Col. 1.18.) came of the Tribe of Judah, Heb. 7.14. Levi is here numbred, though that Tribe was not so reckoned among the Tribes, when Moses divided the Land of Canaan, the Land of Israel's Inheritance: For God chose that Tribe of the Priesthood for his Inheritance, Deut. 10.8, 9. And lastly, in this numbring and sealing the servants of God, the Children of Leah are more than the Children of Rachel; also the Children of the Handmaids are numbred before the Children of the Married Women. Whereby, we may perceive of a Truth, God is no Respecter of Persons; He will have Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, Rom. 9.15. and Eph. 4.5, 6.
9. After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
After John had seen the former part of the Vision, he [beheld, and saw a great multitude, which no man could number.] Abraham's Seed was like the Stars, innumerable, Gen. 15.56. and Rom. 4.18.9.8. his Spiritual Seed, Gal. 3.28, 29. Sanctified Believers, Christ's redeemed ones, Chap. 5.9, 10. stand before the Throne, and before the Lamb; see Chap. 4. Vers. 2. and Vers. 15. of this Chapter. [Cloathed with white robes, and palms in their hands.] White robes signify their innocency, sincerity, and purity, Rev. 19.8.14. and by palms, we may understand first their Victory over Sin, Satan, the World; also their Victory over the Beast, his Image, his Mark, and the number of his Name, Rev. 15.2, 3, 4. Secondly, their joy and rejoicing, Lev. 23.40. And ye shall take branches of Palm-trees, and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days, John 12.13. The people took branches of Palmtrees, and cryed, Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb.
This Verse contains the Thanksgiving for their Preservation and Victory (called Salvation) unto God the Father, the WORD and the Holy Spirit; for these Three are ONE God, 1 John 5.7. [and unto the Lamb,] who is the Saviour of Sinners, Matth. 1.18. neither is there any other Saviour, Act. 4.12. This Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the World; see Chap. 5. Vers. 9. in Gods Purpose and Decree of the Salvation of his Elect, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the World, Eph. 1.4, 5, 6. Salvation, First, From wrath to come, 1 Thess. 1.10. that is, from Hell, called the Second Death, Rev. 20.6. Secondly, From the Law, not from Evangelical obedience unto the moral part of the Law; (for we are not without Law to God, but under the Law to Christ, 1 Cor. 9.21.) but from the Ceremonial part of the Law, Rom. 7.6. and from the curse of the Law, Gal. 3.13.
Thirdly, From Satan, being delivered out of his Kingdom and Dominion, and translated into the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, Col. 1.13. Fourthly, From the servitude of Sin, Rom. 6.16.20-22, 23. that is, from the Dominion and Reigning power of Sin, Rom. 6.11-14. and from the Law and captivating power of Sin, Rom. 7.22, 23, 24, 25. and 8.2. The law of the spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the Law of Sin, &c. and also everlasting and eternal Salvation in Heavenly Glory, call'd Everlasting Life, John 3.16. and Eternal Life, Rom. 6.23. and 1 John 5.11, 12, through Jesus Christ.
11. And all the Angels stood round about the throne, and about the Elders, and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God.
The holy [Angels stand round about the throne;) that is, the Church of God; see Chap. 5. Vers. 11. and Jer. 17.12. The twenty four Elders sate round about the Throne; see Chap. 4. Vers. 4.10. but here [all the Angels stand round about the Throne;] which signifies, First, Their readiness to serve God, fulfilling his Will. And Secondly, Their privilege to be present in the Church, where God is Worshipped, 1 Cor. 11.10. and 1 Pet. 1.12. which things the Angels desire to look into. And Thirdly, Their ministration unto the Church and Saints of God, Heb. 1.14. especially for their preservation. [And fell before the throne on their faces, and Worshipped God.] As the Seraphims are said to cover their faces, Isa. 6.1, 2, 3-10. because of the Holiness and Glory of the Lord on his Throne, in his holy Temple; and as being asham'd to lift up their faces to Heaven, (as Ezra was, Ezra 9.5, 6.) The holy Angels are Spirits, and have not flesh and bones as the Man Christ Jesus had, Luk. 24.39. or have the Angels hands, or faces, or feet, as Men have; but this, and other like things, are mystically and metaphorically spoken of the holy Angels of God, to signify their sensible Apprehension of the Holiness and Glorious Majesty of JEHOVAH. [And they Worshipped God;] that is, the holy Angels joined with the holy Saints in the Worship of God in their kind.
12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
[Saying, Amen.] That is, First, The holy Angels gave their Approbation unto the thanksgiving, which the Church and Saints of God gave to him, Vers. 10. Secondly, The Angels all ascribed those attributes to God; that is, [Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God;] See the Exposition of Chap. 4.9, 10, 11. and Chap. 5.11, 12, 13. [For ever and ever;] that is, always, to all Eternity; for revealing and making known unto them by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God, Eph. 3.10. That unto him might be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages, World without end, Amen. Eph. 3.21.
13. And one of the Elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
These two Verses contain an Enquiry and an Answer unto it, made by one of the twenty four Elders. He enquired, First, Who they were, and Secondly, Whence they came; unto whom John replied, [Sir, thou knowest:] As if he had said, Sir, I know not, but thou dost certainly know. The Elders reply, for John's Information consists of two particulars. First, he told him whence they came. [These are they that came out of great tribulation,] that is, Persecution, and all kind of sufferings for Christ and the Gospel, under the Roman Pagan Antichristian Emperors, that the Christians endured. Secondly, He restified their present state; [And have washed their robes, and made them whice in the blood of the Lamb.] Which they did, First, By Faith, applying the precious blood of Jesus, in the promises of the New-Covenant of Grace: And Secondly, By sufferings, wherein they overcame all their Persecutors; viz. Satan and all his Instruments, by the blood of Christ, and by the word of their Testimony, For they loved not their lives unto death, Rev. 12.11.
15. Therefore are they before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
[The throne of God;] that is, Gods Sanctuary, Jer. 17.12. his holy Temple, Eph. 2.21, 22. the Church of the living God, 1 Tim. 3.15, 16. wherein these served God day and night; that is, continually. And being slain; that is, Martyred and Murdered in their Bodies, their Souls lived, and served God continually in his Temple, the New Jerusalem which is above, Gal. 4.2-6. in Heaven, Rev. 21, 2.3. And he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them. And the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, Rev. 7.16. that is, they shall ever have the presence of God and of Jesus Christ; and their Souls shall be fed with hidden Manna, promised to them that overcome; see Chap. 2. Vers. 17. Read 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. The Beast, and will not worship his Image, &c. Rev. 15.3, 4. and 20.4.
16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
By hunger, thirst, and heat, we may understand all hurtful things. [They shall hunger no more: for the Lamb;] that is, Christ shall feed them, John 6.35-57. [neither thirst any more;] for Christ [shall lead them unto living fountains of waters,] John 7.37, 38, 39. Neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat.] That is, no sort of Persecution of Affliction, Cant. 1.6, 7. and Isa. 4.4, 5, 6. [And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.] And there shall be no more death, neither mourning, nor crying, nor any pain, Rev. 21.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. but joy and pleasures for evermore, Psal. 16.11.