1John seeth four angels holding the four winds; 2and another angel coming to seal the servants of God in their foreheads. 4The number of them that were sealed out of each of the tribes of Israel. 9An innumerable multitude out of all other nations stand before the throne in white robes, with palms in their hands, praising God and the Lamb. 11The angels, elders, and beasts, worship and glorify God. 13One of the elders sheweth John who they are that are clad in white robes, and what is their blessedness for ever.
1AND 1after these things I saw 2four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow 3on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
1 Namely, when this previous vision was passed, I saw, as it were, a part of that which was yet to come to pass after the opening of the sixth seal. For, that, which follows in this chapter, pertains also to the opening of the sixth seal, as appears at the beginning of the next chapter, where the seventh seal begins to be opened. From which may also be concluded, that the matters contained in this chapter have dependence and connection with those of the previous chapter, and do expound one another.
2 Some take this for good angels, who are also sometimes used for the execution of God’s judgments in the world, and they understand by these four angels, who had power to hurt the earth and the sea with stormy winds and tempest or to make them cease, such instruments, which God in His righteous judgment has used in all parts of the world to stir up the Arabians, Hagarenes, Ethiopians, Saracens and other fierce and cruel nations in the east and in the south, and the Goths, Vandals, Longobards, Huns and others like unto them in the west and in the north, to overrun and destroy the entire Roman Empire; as such kind of troubles are oftentimes understood under the similitude of winds and storms. See Jer. 49:36; 51:1; Dan. 7:2. This destruction of the Roman Empire came to pass before the rise of the antichrist, as is testified by Paul that it would be so, 2 Thes. 2:7. Whereupon followed that God, in order to preserve the essence of His Christian church in the midst of these desolations, caused this portrayal of the sealed ones from all nations to be made by this other Angel, as the similar portrayal was made by the angel, by God’s command, at the time of the desolation of the land of Israel by the Babylonians and Assyrians, Ezek. 9:4, to which this prophesy noticeably points. Others understand by these four angels so many evil spirits, which as instruments of Satan in the establishment of the rule of the antichrist, have especially labored in all parts of the world for that end, that the working of God’s Spirit, which is also compared to the wind, John 3:8; Acts 2:2, might be resisted and hindered, and the faithful and orthodox teachers might everywhere be put down and silenced unto the withering and destruction of the true orthodox religion, while a power of error through signs of lies is sent among them, as Paul witnesses in 2 Thes. 2:9, etc. Nevertheless, whereupon God has wanted to do this portrayal of His elect out of all generations to preserve still at all times in the midst of this all His church, as He has done in Israel when He preserved the seven thousand, who had not bend their knees unto Baal; of whom see 1 Kings 19:18; Rom. 11:4, 5.
3 These three kinds are mentioned, because the winds are commonly either prejudicial or beneficial to these three things. The earth, that is, people on earth; the sea, that is, people on islands and in ships, and the trees, which with their boughs spread themselves forth in the air. Thereby are understood such people as are somewhat eminent above others, as appears in Rev. 9:4, where the locusts are commanded not to hurt any tree, but only such persons who have not the mark of God upon their foreheads.
2And 4I 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,
4 Hereby is understood Christ, Who is the Dayspring from on high, and Who alone has the seal of the living God to seal therewith those who belong unto Him, and Who has the supreme command over all the angels.
3Saying, 5Hurta not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we 6have sealed 7the servants of our God 8inb their foreheads.
5 Gr. wrong.
a Rev. 9:4.
6 That is, have marked them with a distinguishing seal, so that they are thereby differentiated from others, and are not be hurt with them. This marking is the working and strengthening by the Holy Spirit, whereby they are made the children of God and are secured and preserved against all deceptions. See Rom. 8:15, etc.; 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; Eph. 4:30; 2 Tim 2:19.
7 That is, those who are true believers and elect of God, so that they are not be deceived together with others. See Mat. 24:24.
8 Here is especially reference made to that which is related in Ezek. 9:4, and this is likewise spoken by way of similitude, because slaves were in former times marked on their foreheads with the names of their masters, and soldiers in their hands with the names of their Captain General; and this marking is made on the forehead, because, though it be especially internal, it does manifest and discover itself in the light of everyone by the profession and fruits thereof. See hereafter Rev. 14:1.
b Ezek. 9:4.
4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundredcand forty and four thousand 9of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
c Rev. 14:1.
9 Some take this properly for the elect among the Jews, of whose records there is now no order kept, as there was formerly in the Old Testament, because God in the New Testament has put all those who love Him in the same degree, and in Christ neither Jew or Greek, neither bond nor free is regarded one more than the other, Gal. 3:28. Others take it for the Israel of God out of Jews and Gentiles joined together, who are gathered by the Lord during the dominion of the antichrist; a number which is great, and yet numerable before men. But the number, which shall hereafter be seen in heaven, consisting of all the elect of all times, is also indeed known before God, but it is innumerable before men. See Gen. 15:5; Isa. 49:20; 60:4, 5, etc.
5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. 10Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
10 Here the tribe of Levi is numbered among the tribes of Israel, who notwithstanding had no certain inheritance in the land of Canaan, and the tribe of Dan is left out. The reason is, because we are now all priests and Levites before God. But as concerning the Danites, their tribe is here passed by, because they were the first who gave themselves to idolatry, Judges 18, and accommodated the calves of Jeroboam at Dan, 1 Kings 12. Wherefore they were also among the first who were carried away by the heathens, 2 Kings 15, and remained ever since scattered among them. Wherefore also the tribe of Dan, in the return of the Israelites after the captivity of Babel, is no more numbered among the tribes of Israel in the first book of Chronicles.
8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. 11Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
11 That is, of the tribe of Ephraim, whose name is also concealed, because from them the idolatry at Dan and Bethel had also its origin. For, Jeroboam was an Ephraimite, 1 Kings 11:26; therefore Joseph, the father of Ephraim, is here put in his stead. Others perceive that the tribe of Ephraim is therefore called the tribe of Joseph, because the tribe of Ephraim is exalted above the tribe of Manasseh in Jacob’s blessing, Gen. 48:14, 19; Psalm 78:67.
912After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and 13tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and 14palms in their hands;
12 As the previous marking of the one hundred and forty-four thousand was done on earth, in the time of antichrist, when the church of Christ still took shelter under him and was persecuted, as such is seen this innumerable number of all nations and people in heaven, before the throne of God, where they are gathered from all parts of the world, and from all times. Others take this innumerable number to be those who after the beginning of the fall of the antichrist are gathered in the public congregations throughout all countries, and are still gathered daily. For, this marking is wont to be made in the oppressed and hidden churches, not in the public and free ones, as the place in Ezek. 9:4 also implies. See likewise hereafter in Rev. 14:1.
13 Or, languages.
14 Namely, unto a sign of victory.
10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation 15to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
15 Namely, is only ascribed; that is, we have obtained it not by our own strength, works or worthiness, but by the mere grace of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. See Eph. 2:8, 9, 10; Rev. 19:1.
11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne 16on their faces, and worshipped God,
16 That is, with a submissive heart, and with reverence before His majesty; for, the angels and spirits have neither faces, neither flesh nor bones, as Christ speaks in Luke 24:39.
12Saying, Amen: 17Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, 18be unto our God 19for ever and ever. Amen.
17 Or, praise.
18 That is, the praise concerning all these attributes be spread abroad by all, and ascribed to God.
19 Gr. in eternities of eternities.
13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are 20these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
20 Here the elder seems to point at a part of this whole multitude, who had some peculiar fashion of apparel.
14And I said unto him, 21Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of 22great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them 23white in the blood of the Lamb.
21 Thus John calls this elder by way of reverence.
22 Namely, under antichrist. For, of the other martyrs is spoken in the previous chapter.
23 That is, have cleansed. For, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all our sin, 1 John 1:7.
15Therefore are they 24before the throne of God, and 25serve him day and night 26in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall 27dwell among them.
24 That is, in the presence of the countenance of God.
25 Namely, to render praise and thanks with Him.
26 Namely, in the most inner part of heaven. For, the heavenly Jerusalem has no other temple but God and the Lamb; Rev. 21:22.
27 Or, shall overshadow them. Gr. make a tent, or be a tabernacle over them.
16They shall 28hungerd no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall thee sun light on them, nor any heat.
28 That is, no harm or want shall befall them anymore. See the like in Isa. 49:10.
d Isa. 49:10.
e Psalm 121:6.
17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feedf them, and shall lead them unto 29living fountains of waters: and God shall 30wipeg away all tears from their eyes.
f Psalm 23:3.
29 That is, the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. See John 4:14; 7:38; Rev. 22:1.
30 A comparison taken from a nurse or mother who comforts her child that weeps; and here such a wiping away is meant in such a manner that no other tears shall follow after. See Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4.
g Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4.