Revelation 9:12

Note here, 1. From these words, One woe is past, and two more are to come, that God has. storehouse of judgments, as well as. treasury of mercy, and when one judgment will not do, he has more to inflict.

Note, 2. The golden altar, which is here said to be before God, signifies our Lord Jesus Christ, his purity and excellency, and his appearing continually in the presence of his Father for us, as our intercessor and mediator.

Note, 3. That this vast army of horsemen, consisting of two hundred thousand thousand, is expounded generally of Turks and Arabians, who have vast armies beyond all nations, whom God makes the executioner of his vengeance at his pleasure.

Note, 4. Whereas it is said, that the four angels were bound in the great river Eurphrates, and, till loosed by God's command, could never hurt nor stir,--it teaches us that the Lord has Satan, and all his instruments, in his own power, to loose them for our sins, and to bind them again upon our repentance: though their malice by infinite, yet their power is bounded; they cannot do all the mischief they would, and they shall not do all they can.

Note, 5. That when these destroying angels were loosed, their time of hurting was limited to. year, and. month and. day: showing, that the set and determinate time of the wicked's insolency is appointed by God to be either shorter or longer, as he thinks fit: yea, they execute nothing but with. divine permission; nay, nothing without. special warrant and commission from God. I heard. voice saying, Loose the four angels which are bound in the river Euphrates; and they were loosed for an hour, &c.

This is matter of singular consolation to us, that evil angels and wicked men are limited powers; they cannot move, much less hurt, until God loose them: A voice said, Loose the four angels.