CHAPTER VII. _The four angels holding the four winds of heaven_, 1. _The angel with the seal of the living God, and sealing the_ _servants of God out of the twelve tribes, whose number_ _amounted to one hundred and forty-four thousand_, 2-8. _Besides these, there was an innumerable multitude fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:2. _THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD_] This angel is represented as the chancellor of the supreme King, and as _ascending from the_ _east_, απο ανατολης ηλιου, _from the rising of the sun_. Some understand this of Christ, who is called ανατολη, the _east_, Luke 1:78. _FOUR ANGELS, TO W... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:3. _TILL WE HAVE SEALED THE SERVANTS OF OUR GOD_] There is manifestly an allusion to Ezekiel 9:4 here. By _sealing_ we are to understand _consecrating_ the persons in a more especial manner to God, and showing, by this mark of God upon them, that they were under his more immediate... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:4. _I HEARD THE NUMBER OF THEM WHICH WERE SEALED_] In the number of 144,000 are included all the _Jews_ converted to Christianity; 12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes: but this must be only a certain for an uncertain number; for it is not to be supposed that _just_ 12,000 were... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:5. _OF THE TRIBE OF JUDA_, c.] _First_, we are to observe that the tribe of _Levi_ is here mentioned, though that tribe had no inheritance in Israel but they now belonged to the spiritual priesthood. _Secondly_, That the tribe of _Dan_, which had an inheritance, is here _omitted_;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:6. Revelation 7:5, Revelation 7:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:7. Revelation 7:5, Revelation 7:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:8. Revelation 7:5, Revelation 7:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:9. _A GREAT MULTITUDE_] This appears to mean the Church of Christ among the _Gentiles_, for it was different from that collected from the _twelve tribes_; and it is here said to be of all _nations, kindreds, people_, and _tongues_. _CLOTHED WITH WHITE ROBES_] As emblems of _innoc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:10. _SALVATION TO OUR GOD_] That is, God alone is the author of the salvation of man; and this salvation is procured for and given to them through the _Lamb_, as their propitiatory sacrifice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:11. _ALL THE ANGELS_, c.] As there is joy in the presence of God among these holy spirits when one sinner repents, no wonder that they take such an interest in the gathering together of such innumerable multitudes who are fully saved from their sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:12. _SAYING, AMEN_] Giving their most cordial and grateful _assent_ to the praises attributed to God and the Lamb. _BLESSING, AND GLORY_, c.] There are here _seven_ different species of praise attributed to God, as in Revelation 5:12, where see the note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:13. _ONE OF THE ELDERS ANSWERED_] A Hebraism for _spoke_. The question is here asked, that the proposer may have the opportunity of answering it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:14. _SIR, THOU KNOWEST_] That is, I do not know, but thou canst inform me. _CAME OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION_] Persecutions of every kind. _AND HAVE WASHED THEIR ROBES_] Have obtained their _pardon_ and _purity_, through the _blood of the Lamb_. Their _white robes_ cannot mean th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:15. _THEREFORE_] Because they are washed in the blood of the Lamb, _are they before the throne_-admitted to the immediate presence, _of God_. _AND SERVE HIM DAY AND NIGHT_] Without ceasing; being filled with the spirit of prayer, faith, love, and obedience. _SHALL DWELL AMONG TH... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:16. _THEY SHALL HUNGER NO MORE_] They shall no longer be deprived of their religious ordinances, and the blessings attendant on them, as they were when in a state of persecution. _NEITHER SHALL THE SUN LIGHT ON THEM_] Their _secular rulers_, being converted to God, became nursing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Revelation 7:17. _THE LAMB_] The Lord Jesus, enthroned with his Father in ineffable glory. _SHALL FEED THEM_] Shall communicate to them every thing calculated to secure, continue, and increase their happiness. _LIVING FOUNTAINS OF WATER_] A _spring_ in the Hebrew phraseology is termed _livi... [ Continue Reading ]