Revelation Chapter 7

From The Open Bible Project

7:1 After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.

• (1) The second part of this section is a preventing of danger, as we distinguished before in (Revelation 6:1) that is, of the caution of God ahead of time to provide for his, after the example of the Israelites; (Exodus 8:23) the faithful are exempted from the plagues of this wicked world. This section is a dialogue and bringing in for this whole chapter by occasion of the prediction and argument of the sixth seal. For first harm is withheld from the elect, (Revelation 7:1-9). Then thanks are given by the elect for that cause (Revelation 7:10-12). Lastly, the accomplishment of it is set forth to the end of the chapter. The first verse is a transition, speaking of the angels who keep the lesser parts from harm, until God commands. For, as in (Ezekiel 10:19), their faces and their wings reach up, continually waiting on and watching the countenance of God for their direction and every one of them goes into that part that is right before his face: wherever the Spirit goes, they go, they do not step out of the way, not so much as a foot breadth from the path commanded to them by God.
• (a) On the four corners or coasts of the earth. (2) That is, neither into the air, into which the trees grow.

7:2 I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea,

• (3) Now God provides against the danger of his elect, by his commandment (Revelation 7:2,3), and by sign or figure, both for those of the nation of the Jews and also for the Gentiles (Revelation 7:9). (4) Not only another, or differing number from the common angels of God, but also in essence, office and operation exceeding all angels: that is, Christ Jesus the eternal angel or Word of God, and mediator of the covenant, see (Revelation 8:3,10:1,5).

7:3 saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"

7:4 I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:

• (5) That is, of the Jews a number certain in itself before God, and such as may be numbered of us: for which cause also the same is here set down as certain. But of the elect who are Gentiles, the number indeed is in itself certain with God, but of us not possibly to be numbered, as God, (Genesis 15:5). This is spoken with respect, when a certain number is put for one uncertain. Compare with (Revelation 7:9).

7:5 of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand, of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,

7:6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,

7:7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,

(6) Here the tribe of Levi is listed with the rest, because all the Israelites were equally made priests with them in Christ by his priesthood (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10). Dan is not mentioned, because the Danites long before forsaking the worship of God, were fallen away from the fellowship of God’s people, to the part of the Gentiles: which evil many ages before Jacob foresaw (Genesis 49:17) See Geneva, and because of which no mention is made of this tribe in the book of Chronicles.

• (b) He skipped Dan, and reckons Levi.

7:8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

• (c) Of Ephraim, who was Joseph’s other son, and had the birthright given him, of which he is called Joseph.

7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

• (7) See Revelation 7:4
• (8) As priests, kings and glorious conquerors by martyrdom: which is noted by the signs in this verse.

7:10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

• (9) The praise of God, celebrated first by the holy men, in this verse, then by the heavenly angels, in the two verses following (Revelation 7:11,12).

7:11 All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God,

7:12 saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

7:13 One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?"

• (10) A passage over to the explanation of the vision, which the angel enquires of John to stir him up in this verse and John in the form of speech, both acknowledges his own ignorance, attributing knowledge to the angel, and also in a humble manner requests the explanation of the vision.

7:14 I told him, "My lord, you know." He said to me, "These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb's blood.

• (11) The explanation of the vision, in which the angel tells first the acts of the saints, that is, their sufferings and work of faith in Christ Jesus, in this verse. Secondly their glory: both present, which consists in two things, that they minister to God, and that God protects them (Revelation 7:15) and to come, in their perfect deliverance from all annoyances (Revelation 7:16) and in participation of all good things which the memory of past hurts shall never be able to diminish (Revelation 7:17). The cause efficient and which contains all these things is only one, the Lamb of God, the Lord, the Mediator, and the Saviour Christ Jesus.

7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.

• (d) He alludes to the Levites, who served day and night, for there is no night in heaven.
• (e) Or, upon them, referring to God’s defence and protection of those who are as safe, as men in the Lord’s tents.

7:16 They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat;

7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."