01.07. CHAPTER 7.
CHAPTER 7.
Revelation 7:1. “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 comes in, parenthetically, between the sixth and seventh seal, showing us certain things that must take place during the seven years, and previous to the opening of the seventh seal. The four horses, the four winds, and the four angels are closely associated (see Zechariah 6:1-8). They represent the agency that God employs in His providential government on the earth.
Revelation 7:2-3. “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, saying, ‘Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.’” At the commencement of the last week of Daniel’s seventy weeks of years, before any of the coming providential judgments of God on the earth can take place, certain of the servants of God will be sealed for preservation.
Before the going forth of the lawless one in imperial despotic power, and before the wars, famines, pestilences, and persecutions which will follow, as symbolised by the first five seals, these servants of God must be secured from danger.
Revelation 7:4. “And I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes [every tribe] of the children of Israel.”
Revelation 7:5-8. “Of the tribe of Juda,” &c., &c.
Whether we take the number one hundred and forty-four thousand literally or symbolically, they represent the preserved of Israel, the nucleus of the coming Millennial kingdom. These, according to Psalms 91:1-16, will be preserved in the providence of God, under the especial charge of the elect angels, from all the dangers of this eventful period, and finally, with those saved of Israel, when the Deliverer comes (Romans 11:26), will compose the kingdom under the reign of the Messiah.
Revelation 7:9-10. “After this [these things] I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man [no one] could [was able to] number, out of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood [standing] before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried [crying] with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
Just as the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel for the land (Numbers 1:47-50), so these great multitudes are not numbered for the earth in the Millennial kingdom. They have their portion in God, and their inheritance is heavenly. And they will not be taken exclusively from Israel, as were the hundred and forty-four thousand, but from both Jews and Gentiles of every nationality. For during this period of human activity and Satanic delusion the Holy Ghost, in the plenitude of His power “as the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth,” will do a world-wide work, the results of which will be seen in this vast multitude who will not only stand firm, but will seal their testimony with their blood.
They ascribe their salvation to God in His sovereignty, and to the Lamb in His atoning sacrifice.
Revelation 7:11-12. “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts [living ones], and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, ‘Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.’”
God is the God of angels as well as of the redeemed from among men; and angels share in the eternal results of redemption’s work. Not as being saved out of evil, but as being preserved from evil; all things in heaven as well as in earth God having headed up in Christ (Ephesians 1:10). Hence angels join in the praises of the redeemed—yet in a chorus of their own.
Revelation 7:13-17. “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, ‘What [Who] are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?’ And I said unto him, ‘Sir, thou knowest.’ And he said to me, ‘These are they which came out of [the] great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them [their robes] white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve [religiously serve or worship] Him day and night in His [inner] temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell [tabernacle] over them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed [shepherdeth] them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears [every tear] from their eyes.’”
One of the elders—one of those in the secret council of God—having an insight into what was passing in the mind of John, answers his mental inquiry. John had seen in symbol the Church on earth, and its course completed; he had seen the risen saints of a former dispensation in glory, and the Church of the firstborn in their place of nearness and privilege—but who are these? The elder answers by putting into words the inquiries of John’s mind. On John’s referring the question to the elder, he replies: “These are the comers out of the great tribulation.” This great tribulation will take place during the second half of the week, as foretold by Daniel and by Christ. Part will be slain at the commencement, and part during the continuance of the persecution. They, having obtained the victory, wave the palm. They have washed their robes, and stand and minister before the throne. The glory of God overshadows them, and the Lamb that redeemed them is their Shepherd for ever. On earth they had hungered and thirsted, and been imprisoned, and outcast. It is of them that the Lord speaks (in Matthew 25:35-40) as His brethren. But they will hunger and thirst no more; and a Father’s hand has for ever wiped off every tear. This chapter gives us the earthly and the heavenly aspect of the last week of the seventy weeks. On earth there are solemn judgments from God, and fierce persecution from man; but God has His sealed and preserved ones amongst it all, and specially among the tribes of Israel. In heaven there is calm, and triumph, and praise, and thanksgiving; those who have suffered on earth, and come out from it all, leading the song, in which the angel hosts in full chorus join.