Revelation 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.

Now, lest I should doubt what, in the midst and issue of these persecutions, might become of God’s Church, I saw the powerful executioners of God’s wrath, standing on the four coasts of the earth; even those mighty spirits, which, by the appointment of God, have power over the four winds that blow upon the earth, to raise or restrain them: I saw them, by the command of the Almighty, staying and withholding those stormy blasts from blustering upon the earth, or upon the sea, or upon the trees which lie most open to their violence; in short, I saw God’s merciful restraint, for the time, of any damage that might come to his Church. VII. 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. And I saw another Angel, even the great Angel of the Covenant, Christ Jesus, ascending up from the eastern coast, where Jerusalem stood; who, by virtue of his Mediatorship, had in his hand that seal or mark of the Living God, which, in his eternal decree, is set upon all his elect, whereby they are sealed up both to salvation in the end and to a gracious protection till then: who did, by the mighty voice of his word, command those four Angels to whom power was given to hurt the earth, Saying, Hold your hands from doing any hurt to the earth or sea, to the trees that grow upon the earth or to the people that live upon it, until we have set the seal of God’s merciful protection upon all those faithful servants of our God, whom he hath decreed to preserve.

Revelation 7:4

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

And I heard the number of those, whom, out of all the tribes of Israel professing his name, Christ had marked out for his gracious protection, to be a hundred forty-four thousand, that is, for each of the twelve tribes, twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:5

Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand, &c.

The specialties whereof follow in their order; of the tribe of Juda were marked out twelve thousand converts, or believing Christians, &c.

Revelation 7:13

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Who did all, with one voice, cry out aloud to the praise of God; and profess, that salvation and all the glory thereof belongs unto that Almighty God that sitteth upon the throne, and to his Son Jesus, that Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world.

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

And one of those glorious Saints, which stood before the throne, as willing to give me occasion to enquire further into the quality, and condition of those innumerable company of triumphant persons, who were clad in long white robes and carried palms in their hands, asked me who those were, that were thus arrayed, and whence they came.

Revelation 7:14

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.

And I, as willing to be informed by him, said, Lord, it is enough for thee to know that: I desire to learn of thee, who they are. And he said, These are Christians, converted from Paganism to the Gospel of Christ, which have suffered great persecution for his Name’s sake; and who are clearly acquitted and purged from all their sins, by the blood of Christ.

Revelation 7:15

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in the temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Therefore are they now in this glorious condition, before the throne of God; and sing praises to him in his heavenly habitation continually: and the Almighty Lord God, who sitteth on the throne, shall make them blessed with the fruition of his presence for evermore.

Revelation 7:16

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

They are now past all the danger of those extremities of hunger, and thirst, and all other bodily complaints, whereto they were subject upon earth; neither shall the sun scorch them any more, nor any heat or cold annoy them.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains

VOL. IV. of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. For their blessed Saviour, Christ Jesus, which is in the midst of the throne, shall be all-sufficient; both for their nourishment, and refreshing; he shall feed them with hidden Manna, and shall comfort their souls with the waters of eternal life; and God shall fully free them from all trouble and sorrow.