Revelation 7:1-3

An Interlude

1 After this I saw 1four angels standing at the 2four corners of the earth, holding back 3the four winds of the earth, 4so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending 5from the rising of the sun, having the 6seal of 7the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the 8four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
3 saying, "9Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have 10sealed the bond-servants of our God on their 11foreheads."

Revelation 7:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 7

This chapter contains a vision seen at the end of the sixth, and at the opening of the seventh seal, which expresses the security of the saints in all ages following, the praises of angels and men on that account, and the happiness of all the people of God in the millennium state. First, a vision of four angels is seen restraining the winds from blowing on the earth, sea, and trees, Re 7:1; then of another angel, described by the place from whence he came, the east; by what he had, the seal of the living God, and by his cry to the four angels not to hurt the earth, sea, and trees, until the servants of God were sealed, Re 7:2,3, and then follows the number of the sealed ones in general, Re 7:4, and the particular number of them out of each tribe of Israel, Re 7:5-8. After which is another vision of all the elect of God together, described by the numberless multitude of them; by their descent from all nations; by their position and situation before the throne, and the Lamb; by their habit and attire, and by their loud cry, ascribing salvation to God, and to the Lamb, Re 7:9,10, who are joined by all the angels around them, worshipping God, and ascribing glory to him, Re 7:11,12. And next is described the happiness of this numerous company, in the thousand years' reign, introduced by some discourse which passed between John, and one of the elders, Re 7:13,14, who are said to be before the throne, to serve God continually, and to have his presence, Re 7:15, to be free from everything troublesome and distressing, Re 7:16, and to be fed by the Lamb, and to be led by him to fountains of living water, and to have all their tears wiped away from them, Re 7:17.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Revelation 9:14
  • 2. Isaiah 11:12; Ezekiel 7:2; Revelation 20:8
  • 3. Jeremiah 49:36; Daniel 7:2; Zechariah 6:5; Matthew 24:31
  • 4. Revelation 7:3; Revelation 8:7; Revelation 9:4
  • 5. Isaiah 41:2
  • 6. Revelation 7:3; Revelation 9:4
  • 7. Matthew 16:16
  • 8. Revelation 9:14
  • 9. Revelation 6:6
  • 10. John 3:33; Revelation 7:3-8
  • 11. Ezekiel 9:4, 6; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:1, 9; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:4
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