Analysis Of The Chapter The state of things represented in this chapter Revelation 7 is, that where there had been awful consternation and alarm, as if the end of the world were coming, and where the signs of the approaching consummation of all things are, as it were, held back until there should be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THESE THINGS - After the vision of the things referred to in the opening of the sixth seal. The natural interpretation would be, that what is here said of the angels and the winds occurred after those things which are described in the previous chapter. The exact chronology may not be alway... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW ANOTHER ANGEL - Evidently having no connection with the four, and employed for another purpose. This angel, also, must have been symbolic; and all that is implied is, that something would be done as if an angel had done it. ASCENDING FROM THE EAST - He appeared in the east, and seemed to r... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING, HURT NOT THE EARTH, NEITHER THE SEA ... - Let the winds be restrained until what is here designated shall be done. These destroying angels were commanded to suspend the work of destruction until the servants of God could be rendered secure. The division here, as in Revelation 7:1, of the “ea... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HEARD THE NUMBER OF THEM WHICH WERE SEALED - He does not say where he heard that, or by whom it was communicated to him, or when it was done. The material point is, that he heard it; he did not see it done. Either by the angel, or by some direct communication from God, he was told of the numbe... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE TRIBE OF JUDA WERE SEALED TWELVE THOUSAND - That is, a selection was made, or a number sealed, as if it had been made from one of the tribes of the children of Israel - the tribe of Judah. If the remarks above made are correct, this refers to the Christian church, and means, in connection wit... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THIS - Greek,” After these things” - Μετὰ ταῦτα Meta tauta: that is, after I saw these things thus represented I had another vision. This would undoubtedly imply, not only that he saw these things after he had seen the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand, but that they would occur... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE - Compare Zechariah 4:7. This is expressive of the greatness of their joy; the ardor and earnestness of their praise. SALVATION TO OUR GOD - The word rendered “salvation” - σωτηρία sōtēria - means properly “safety, deliverance, preservation”; then welfare or prosperity... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE ANGELS STOOD ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE - notes on Revelation 5:11. AND ABOUT THE ELDERS - notes on Revelation 4:4. AND THE FOUR BEASTS - notes on Revelation 4:6. The meaning is, that the angels stood in the outer circle, or outside of the elders and the four living creatures. The redeemed,... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING, AMEN - See the notes on Revelation 1:7. The word “Amen” here is a word strongly affirming the truth of what is said, or expressing hearty assent to it. It may be uttered, as expressing this, either in the beginning or end of a sentence. Thus, wills are commonly commenced, “In the name of God... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ONE OF THE ELDERS - See the notes on Revelation 4:4. That is, as there understood, one of the representatives of the church before the throne. ANSWERED - The word “answer,” with us, means “to reply to something which has been said.” In the Bible, however, the word is not infrequently used in the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAID UNTO HIM, SIR, THOU KNOWEST - The word “sir” in this place - κύριέ kurie, “lord” - is a form of respectful address, such as would be used when speaking to a superior, Genesis 43:20; Matthew 13:27; Matthew 21:30; Matthew 27:63; John 4:11, John 4:15, John 4:19,... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE ARE THEY BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD - The reason why they are there is to be traced to the fact that the Lamb shed his blood to make expiation for sin. No other reason can be given why anyone of the human race is in heaven; and that is reason enough why any of that race are there. AND SERVE... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL HUNGER NO MORE - A considerable portion of the redeemed who will be there, were, when on earth, subjected to the evils of famine; many who perished with hunger. In heaven they will be subjected to that evil no more, for there will be no want that will not be supplied. The bodies which the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LAMB, WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE - notes on Revelation 5:6. He is still the great agent in promoting the happiness of the redeemed in heaven. SHALL FEED THEM - Rather, shall exercise over them the office of a shepherd - ποιμανεῖ poimainō. This includes much more than mere feeding.... [ Continue Reading ]