Revelation 7

Revelation 7:1-3

After the opening of the six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world; and before the found of the seven trumpets, which gave notice of great corruption arising in the church; a short respite is given to the church, from the years 323 to 327. We have, 1. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds, ver. 1-3. 2. The feeling of the servants of God, ver. 4-9. 3. The songs of angels and saints on this occasion, ver. 9-13. 4. A description of the honour and happiness of those that had faithfully served Christ, and suffered for him, ver. 13, 15.

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. 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.

The winds and storms of persecution are now for a while hussled in peace, and the church enjoys undisturbed tranquillity; whilst smothering angels, at the command of the great and uncreated angel of the covenant, who bore the unprick of the living God, and bestows his Spirit upon his people, whereby they are loated unto the day of redemption, restrain for a while the defolating judgments which had before destroyed the earth.