And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Ver. 1. _And after these things_] This whole chapter is purposely interlaced between the opening of t... [ Continue Reading ]
And I 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, Ver. 2. _Another angel_] Whether Christ, or Constantine acted by Christ, it much matters not. _ Having the seal... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Ver. 3. _Hurt not_] Reprobates often fare the better for those few righteous that are among them; they are therefore singularly foolish for seeking to rid them, and root them... [ Continue Reading ]
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: _and there were_ sealed an hundred _and_ forty _and_ four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Ver. 4. _A hundred forty and four thousand_] A competent company. Not so many as the locusts, Revelation 9:3, and yet more than most thou... [ Continue Reading ]
Of 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. Ver. 5. _Twelve thousand_] Out of each tribe so many. God inclines towards all the elect with an equal good will; neither shall any one compla... [ Continue Reading ]
Of 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. Ver. 6. _Of the tribe of Natphthali_] Who is first reckoned among those by Rachel's side, because at Capernaum in this tribe Christ in... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the tribe of Simeon _were_ sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi _were_ sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar _were_ sealed twelve thousand. Ver. 7. _Of the tribe of Levi_] Levi is taken in, Dan cut out of the roll for his shameful recidivation and revolt from the true religion... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the tribe of Zabulon _were_ sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph _were_ sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin _were_ sealed twelve thousand. Ver. 8. _Of Joseph_] That is, of Ephraim, who, though Joseph's younger son, yet had the first birthright. Ephraim is not named (though... [ Continue Reading ]
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Ver. 9. _A great multitude_] All the faithful from the apostles to the... [ Continue Reading ]
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Ver. 10. _Salvation to our God_] Not to this or that Popish saint or mediator; of all whom these triumphers might say, as that heathen once, _Contemno minutos istos deos, modo Iovem (Iesum) p... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and _about_ the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Ver. 11. _And all the angels_] _See Trapp on "_ Rev 5:11 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, _be_ unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Ver. 12. _Amen; Blessing and glory, &c._] The angels assent to what the saints had said, and add much more, according to their greater measure of knowledge a... [ Continue Reading ]
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Ver. 13. _And one of the elders_] _See Trapp on "_ Rev 5:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Ver. 14. _Which came out of great tribulation_] It is but a delicacy that men dream of to divide Christ and his c... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. Ver. 15. _Therefore are they_] Not for the whiteness of their robes, but because they are washed in the meritorious blood of the Lamb. _ Before the thro... [ Continue Reading ]
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Ver. 16. _They shall hunger no more_] They shall be as it were in heaven beforehand, having _Malorum ademptionem, bonorum adeptionem, _ freedom from evil, and fruition of good, here in part, herea... [ Continue Reading ]
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Ver. 17. _Shall feed them and lead them_] An allusion to Psalms 23:2, where David seems to resemble powerful and flourishing doct... [ Continue Reading ]