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1: And after these things - What follows is a preparation
for the seventh seal, which is the weightiest of all. It is
connected with the sixth by the particle and; whereas what is
added, (Re 6:9) stands free and unconnected.
I saw four angels - Probably evil ones. They have their employ
with the four first trumpets, as have other evil angels with the
three last; namely, the angel of the abyss, the four bound in the
Euphrates, and Satan himself. These four angels would willingly
have brought on all the calamities that follow without delay.
But they were restrained till the servants of God were sealed,
and till the seven angels were ready to sound: even as the angel
of the abyss was not let loose, nor the angels in the Euphrates
unbound, neither Satan cast to the earth, till the fifth, sixth,
and seventh angels severally sounded. Standing on the four
corners of the earth - East, west, south, north. In this order
proceed the four first trumpets. Holding the four winds - Which
else might have softened the fiery heat, under the first, second,
and third trumpet. That the wind should not blow upon the
earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree - It seems, that these
expressions betoken the several quarters of the world; that
the earth signifies that to the east of Patmos, Asia, which
was nearest to St. John, and where the trumpet of the first
angel had its accomplishment. Europe swims in the sea over
against this; and is accordingly termed by the prophets,
"the islands." The third part, Afric, seems to be meant,(Re 8:7,8,10), by "the streams of water," or "the trees,"
which grow plentifully by them.
2: And I saw another (a good) angel ascending from the
east - The plagues begin in the east; so does the sealing. Having
the seal of the only living and true God: and he cried with a
loud voice to the four angels - Who were hasting to execute their
charge. To whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea
- First, and afterwards "the trees."
3: Hurt not the earth, till we - Other angels were joined in
commission with him. Have sealed the servants of our God on
their foreheads - Secured the servants of God of the twelve tribes
from the impending calamities; whereby they shall be as clearly
distinguished from the rest, as if they were visibly marked on
their foreheads.
4: Of the children of Israel - To these will afterwards be
joined a multitude out of all nations. But it may be observed,
this is not the number of all the Israelites who are saved from
Abraham or Moses to the end of all things; but only of those
who were secured from the plagues which were then ready to fall
on the earth. It seems as if this book had, in many places, a
special view to the people of Israel.
5: Judah is mentioned first, in respect of the kingdom,
and of the Messiah sprung therefrom.
7: After the Levitical ceremonies were abolished, Levi
was again on a level with his brethren.
8: Of the tribe of Joseph - Or Ephraim; perhaps not
mentioned by name, as having been, with Dan, the most
idolatrous of all the tribes. It is farther observable of
Dan, that it was very early reduced to a single family;
which family itself seems to have been cut off in war,
before the time of Ezra; for in the Chronicles, where the
posterity of the patriarchs is recited, Dan is wholly omitted.
9: A great multitude - Of those who had happily finished
their course. Such multitudes are afterwards described, and
still higher degrees of glory which they attain after a sharp
fight and magnificent victory, (Re 14:1,15:2,19:1,20:4).
There is an inconceivable variety in the degrees of reward in
the other world. Let not any slothful one say, "If I get to
heaven at all, I will be content:" such an one may let heaven
go altogether. In worldly things, men are ambitious to get as
high as they can. Christians have a far more noble ambition.
The difference between the very highest and the lowest state in
the world is nothing to the smallest difference between the
degrees of glory. But who has time to think of this? Who is at
all concerned about it? Standing before the throne - In the full
vision of God. And palms in their hands - Tokens of joy and
victory.
10: Salvation to our God - Who hath saved us from all evil
into all the happiness of heaven. The salvation for which they
praise God is described, verse 15; that for which
they praise the Lamb, verse 14; and both, in the
sixteenth and seventeenth verses. (Re 7:14-17)
11: And all the angels stood - In waiting. Round about
the throne, and the elders and the four living creatures - That
is, the living creatures, next the throne; the elders, round
these; and the angels, round them both. And they fell on
their faces - So do the elders, once only,(Re 11:16). The heavenly ceremonial has its fixed order and
measure.
12: Amen - With this word all the angels confirm the words
of the "great multitude;" but they likewise carry the praise
much higher. The blessing, and the glory, and the wisdom,
and the thanksgiving, and the honour, and the power, and the
strength, be unto our God for ever and ever - Before the Lamb
began to open the seven seals, a sevenfold hymn of praise was
brought him by many angels, (Re 5:12). Now he is upon opening
the last seal, and the seven angels are going to receive seven
trumpets, in order to make the kingdoms of the world subject to
God. All the angels give sevenfold praise to God.
13: And one of the elders - What stands, verses 13 - 17,(Re 7:13-17) might have immediately followed the tenth verse;
but that the praise of the angels, which was at the same time
with that of the "great multitude," came in between. Answered
- He answered St. John's desire to know, not any words that he
spoke.
14: My lord - Or, my master; a common term of respect. So
Zechariah, likewise, bespeaks the angel, (Zec 1:9,4:4,6:4).
Thou knowest - That is, I know not; but thou dost. These are they
- Not martyrs; for these are not such a multitude as no man can
number. But as all the angels appear here, so do all the souls
of the righteous who had lived from the beginning of the world.
Who come - He does not say, who did come; but, who come now also:
to whom, likewise, pertain all who will come hereafter. Out of
great affliction - Of various kinds, wisely and graciously
allotted by God to all his children. And have washed their robes
- From all guilt. And made them white - In all holiness. By the
blood of the Lamb - Which not only cleanses, but adorns us also.
15: Therefore - Because they came out of great affliction,
and have washed their robes in his blood. Are they before the
throne - It seems, even nearer than the angels. And serve him day
and night - Speaking after the manner of men; that is, continually.
In his temple - Which is in heaven. And he shall have his tent
over them - Shall spread his glory over them as a covering.
16: Neither shall the sun light on them - For God is there
their sun. Nor any painful heat, or inclemency of seasons.
17: For the Lamb will feed them - With eternal peace and
joy; so that they shall hunger no more. And will lead them
to living fountains of water - The comforts of the Holy Ghost;
so that they shall thirst no more. Neither shall they suffer
or grieve any more; for God "will wipe away all tears from
their eyes."
