Revelation 7
Dort1. John seeth four Angels, to whom power was given to hurt the Earth by the ceasing of the Winds, 2. And another Angel, having the Seal of God, who hindereth them from doing it, till all the servants of God are mocked, 4. Whose number is an hundred and four and fourty thousand of all the tribes of Israel. 9. After that he seeth an innumerable multitude of all Nations standing before the throne and before the Lamb, 24. Whom all the Angels and the four Beasts and the four and twenty Elders do follow with a like song of praise, 17. John is informed by one of the four and twenty Elders, who those are that were arrayed in white robes, 15. And wherein their blessedness doth consist.
1. And after this I saw [Namely, when this former vision was past, I saw as it were a part of that which was yet to come to pass after the opening of the sixth seal. For that which followeth in this chapter, pertaineth also to the opening of the sixth seal, as appeareth by the beginning of the next chapter, where the seventh seal beginneth to be opened. From whence also may be fitly concluded, that the matters contained in this chapter have some dependence and connection with those of the former chapter, and do expound one another] four Angels stand on the four corners of the Earth, holding the four winds of the earth, [some take these four Angels spoken of to be good Angels, who are also sometimes made use of for the executing of Gods judgements in the world; and they understand by those four Angels, which had power to hurt the earth and the sea with stormy winds and tempests, or to make them cease, such instruments, as God in his just judgement hath made use to of in all parts of the world to stir up the Arabians, Hagarenes, Ethopians, Sarasins, and other fierce and cruel Nations in the East and in the South, and the Gothes, Vandals, Longobards, Hunnes, and others like unto them in the West and in the North, to over-run and destroy the whole Roman Empire: as such troubles are oftentimes understood under the comparison of winds and tempests. See Jerem. 49. 36. And 51. 1 Daniel 7:2. Which destruction of the Roman Empire came to pass before the rising of Antichrist, as is testified by Paul that it should be so, 2 Thes. 2. 7. Whereupon followed, that God, to keep and serve his Christian church in being in the midst of this desolation, caused this marking of the sealed ones of all Nations (as followeth) to be made by this other Angel, as the like marking was made by Angel at the time of desolation of the land of Israel by the Babylonians & Assyrians by Gods command, Ezekiel 9:4. Whereunto this prophecy doth apparently relate. Others understand by these four Angels so many evil spirits, which as instruments of Satan in the setting up of Antichristianism, have especially labored in all parts of the world for that end and purpose, that the working of Gods Spirit, which is also resembled to the wind, John 3:8. Acts 2:2. Might be resisted and hindered, and the Faithful and Orthodox Teachers, might every where be put down and silenced, to the decaying and destruction of the true Orthodox Religion, there being a power of error sent among them by lying signs, as Paul witnesseth, 2 Thes. 2. 9, etc. whereupon God notwithstanding would thus mark out his elect out of all families (as followeth) , that he might still at all times preserve his church even in the midst of all this, as he did in Israel, when he preserved those seven thousand, which had not bowed their knees unto Baal: of whom see 1 Kings 19:18. Romans 11:4, 5.] that no wind should blow on the earth, neither on the sea, neither against any tree. [these three sorts are mentioned here, because the winds are commonly either prejudicial or beneficial to these three things; the earth, that is, men on earth; the sea, that is, men in Islands and in ships; and the trees, which with their boughs spread themselves forth in the air. And thereby are understood such men as are some what eminent above others, as appeareth chapt. 9. 4. Where the locusts are commanded not to hurt any tree, but onely such men as have not the mark of God upon their foreheads.]
2. And I saw another Angel come up from the rising of the Sun, having the seal of the Living God: [Hereby is meant Christ, who is the rising from on high, and who alone hath the seal of the living God, to seal those that belong unto him therewith, and who hath the supreme command over all the Angels] and he cried with great voice to the four Angels, to whom (power) was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3. Saying; hurt [Gr. Wrong] not the earth, neither the sea, neither the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God, [that is, those that are true believers and God’s elect, to the end that they might not be seduced together with others, see Matthew 24:24. That is, till we have marked them with a seal, as with a mark or token, that they being thereby distinguished from others, might not be hurt with them. This marking is the working and strengthening of the Holy Ghost, whereby they being made the children of God, are secured and preserved against all seducement. See Romans 8:15, etc. 2 Cor. 1. V. 21, 22. Ephesians 4:30. 2 Tim. 2. 19.] on their foreheads. [here respect is especially had to that which is related, Ezekiel 9:4. And this is like likewise spoken by way of similitude, because slaves and bond-men afore-time were marked in their foreheads with the names of their masters, and souldiers in their hands with the names of their Captain General: And this marking is made on the forehead, because though it be especially internal, yet it doth manifest and discover itself in the sight of every one by the profession and fruits thereof. See hereafter chapter 14. 1.]
4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: (there) were sealed an hundred and four and forty thousand out of all the tribes of the children of Israel: [Some take this properly for the elect among the Jews, in whose naming or mentioning there is now no order kept, as there was formerly in the Old Testament, because God in the New Testament hath put all those that love him in one degree, and in Christ neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free is regarded one more than other, Galatians 3:28. Others take it for the Israel of God of Jews and Gentiles joined together, who are gathered by the Lord during the dominion of Antichrist. A number which is great, and yet numerable before men. But the number which shall hereafter be seen in Heaven, consisting of all the elect of all times, is also indeed known before God, but it is innumerable before men. See Genesis 15:5. Isaiah 49:20. And 60. 4, 5, etc]
5. Of the Tribe of Judea 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 Asur were sealed twelve thousand: Of the Tribe of Nephthali were sealed twelve thousand: Of the Tribe Manassah were twelve thousand:
7. Of Tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand : Of the Tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand: [Here the Tribe of Levi is numbered among the Tribes of Israel, who notwithstanding had no certain inheritance in the land of Canaan, and the Tribe of Dan is left out. The reason is, because we are now all Priests and Levites before God. But as concerning the Danites, their Tribe is here passed by, because they were the first that gave themselves up to commit idolatry, Judg. chapter 18. And entertained the Calves of Jerobeam at Dan, 1 Kings chapter 12. Wherefore they were also among the first, that were carried away by the Heathen, 2 Kings chapter 16. And remained ever since scattered among them. Wherefore also the Tribe of Dan in the return of the Israelites, after the captivity of Babel, is no more numbered among the Tribes of Israel in the first book of the Chronicles] Of the Tribe of Isachar were sealed twelve thousand:
8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand of the tribes of Joseph [that is of the tribe of Ephraim whose name is also concealed because the idolatry of Dan and Bethel had also in the original from them fro Jerobeam was an Ephraimites 1 Kings 11:26 therefore Joseph the father of Ephraim is here put in his stead others conceive that the tribes of Ephraim are therefore called the tribes of Joseph because the tribe of Ephraim is exalted above the tribe of Manasses in Jacobs blessings Genesis 48:14,19 Psalms 78:67]were sealed twelve thousand of the tribes of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
9. After this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindred and number and people and languages [Gr tounges] standing before the throne and before the lamb being clothed with the long white garments [as the former marking of the hundred and four and forty thousand was done on earth in the time of the antichrist when the churches of Christ lay yet hid an was persecuted under him so this innumerable number of all nations and people was seen in heaven before the throne of God were they were gathered from all parts of the world and from all times some others take this innumerable number to be those which after the beginning of the antichrist are gathered in the public congregation throughout all countries and are still daily gathered for this marking is wont to be made in the oppressed and hidden churches not in the public and free assemblies in that place Ezekiel 9:4 also importeth see likewise hereafter chapter 14.1] and palm branches were in the hands [namely in token of victory .]
10. And they cried with a great voice saying salvation be to our great God, which sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb[namely salvation be alone ascribed unto him that is we have obtained it not by our own strength, works, and worthiness but the mere grace of God and merits of our Jesus Christ our savior see Ephesians 2 verse 8, 9, 10 Revelations 19.1.]
11. And all the angels stood around about the throne and all the elders and four beasts fell down before the throne on their face, [that is with submissive hearts and the reverence before the majesty for the angels and the spirits have neither faces neither flesh nor bones as Christ speaketh Luke 24 verse 39] and worshipped God.
12. Saying Amen praise [Gr. Blessing] and glory, and wisdom, and honor, and power , and thanksgiving and strength be to our God [that is the praise concerning these attributes to spread abroad by all and ascribed unto God] in all eternity[Gr in eternity of eternities] Amen.
13. And one of the elders answered saying unto me these which are clothed with long white robe who are they and whence come they ? [here the elders seemeth to point at a whole multitude which had some peculiar fashion of apparel.]
14. And I said unto him Lord [thus John called this elder by way of reverence] thou knowest it and he said unto me these are they which come out of great tribulation [namely under antichrist for of the other martyrs is spoken in the former chapter] and they have washed their long robes and have made their long robes white in the blood of the lamb [that is have purified them etc. for the blood o Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all our sins 1John 1.7.]
15. Therefore are they before the throne of God [that is in the presence of the face of God]and serve him day and night [by rendering praise and thanks unto him] in his temple [namely in the innermost part of heaven for the heavenly Jerusalem hath no other temple but God and the lamb below chapter 21.22] and he that sitteth on the throne will overshadow them [ or dwell among them Gr. Be or make a tent or Tabernacle over them.
16. They shall hunger no more neither shall they thirst no more neither shall the sun light upon them neither any heat[that is no harm want shall befall them anymore see the like Isaiah 49:10.]
17. For the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them nor shall be their leader to the living and fountains of waters [that is the fullness of the gifts of the holy ghost see john 4.14 and 7.38 and hereafter chapter 22.1] and God shall away all tears from their eyes [a comparison taken from a nurse nor mother which comforteth her child that weepeth and here such a weeping is meant as that no other tears shall follow after it see Isaiah 25:8 and hereafter revelations 21.4.]