_AN ANGEL SEALETH THE SERVANTS OF GOD IN THEIR FOREHEADS, EVEN AN INNUMERABLE MULTITUDE, WHICH STAND BEFORE THE THRONE, CLAD IN WHITE ROBES, AND WITH PALMS IN THEIR HANDS. THEIR ROBES WERE WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB._ _Anno Domini 96._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THESE THINGS— The former chapter concluded the _first grand period,_ and the sufferings of the church under the persecution of the Heathen Roman empire. The _second_ grand period of prophesy begins, and is contained in the events which attend the sounding of the_trumpets;_ an account where... [ Continue Reading ]
_REVELATION 7:2_. A_ND I SAW ANOTHER ANGEL,_ &C.— This chapter, says Bishop Newton, contains a description of the state of the church in the time of Constantine; of the peace and protection which it should enjoy under the civil powers; and of the great accession which should be made to it both of Je... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HEARD THE NUMBER OF THEM WHICH WERE SEALED:— "And hereupon, I heard a declaration of the number of those who were thus sealed by the Holy Ghost: and they who were thus perfectly known to Christ, and sealed by his Spirit, were figuratively expressed by one hundred and forty-four thousand, a lar... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, &C.— As the spiritual church of Christ was first formed out of the Jewish church and nation, so here the spiritual Israel is first mentioned; but the twelve tribes are not enumerated here in the same method and order as they are in other places of holy scripture. _Judah_ has t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE,— "This vision, especially when compared with the former in the 4th and 5th Chapter s, is to be understood, I conceive, (says Mr. Lowman,) of the church in heaven. As heaven seems to be the proper scene of the vision, so the innumerable company of saints with whom the ang... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT ARE THESE WHICH ARE ARRAYED, &C.— "Who, think you, are these excellent persons that appear so gloriously apparelled with glittering spotless robes; and from what condition, and how is it that they attained to all this glory?... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WHICH CAME OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION,— That is, faithful confessors, who had endured in the cause of true religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR ANY HEAT.— That is, nor any burning, or scorching heat,—inconvenient heat.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LAMB, &C.— Interpreters are not agreed in the proper meaning of this description. Some understand it of the peaceful and prosperous state of the church on earth; and certainly, in some cases, very strong expressions of prophetic style are to be softened to a sense which will agree to a happy... [ Continue Reading ]