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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-8

The Church's security assured. Although the vision of judgment has been granted to the seer, an arrest is put upon its execution, and an entirely new series of representations is given. It is illustrative of the entire character of the book. It is one long illustration of the going forth conquering and to conquer by him that sitteth on the white horse. But there is no chronology. The truth here illustrated is ever repeated. Not only in the final acts of judgment will the faithful people be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-8

The Divine management of the world. "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth," etc. The subject of these verses is the Divine management of the world, and they suggest two facts concerning it. I. THAT GOD EMPLOYS THE HIGHEST ORDER OF CELESTIAL INTELLIGENCES IN THE CONDUCT OF HIS GOVERNMENT . "After these things [after this] I saw four angels standing on [at] the four corners of the earth." The existence of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:2

And I saw another angel ascending from the east; from the rising of the sun. Again no individual angel is particularized, though an archangel may be intended, as he has authority over the first four. He proceeds from that quarter whence comes light; and, like the Sun of Righteousness, he rises with healing in his wings; for his mission is to render secure the servants of God. Wordsworth thinks Christ, or a messenger from Christ, is meant—a view shared by Hengstenberg; Vitringa says the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:2-3

The sealed of God. This chapter tells of a time of suspended judgment. All things were ready. The awful calamities told of when the sixth seal was broken are on the point of descending upon the earth. "But a whole chapter intervenes. Might it not be apprehended that amidst convulsions so terrific the Church itself might founder? Who shall secure Christ's servants against being involved in that catastrophe? Such is the misgiving to which the particular revelation now before us would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:3

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees . Hurt not, by loosing the four winds, as stated on Revelation 7:2 . The destruction prepared for the guilty world is not allowed to fall until God's elect have been gathered in, and preserved free from danger (cf. Matthew 24:31 , where immediately after the appearance of the Son of man, his elect are gathered from the four winds). (For the signification of the earth, the sea, and the trees, see on Revelation 7:1 and ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:3

The wrath-restraining power of righteousness. "Hurt not the.., till we have sealed," etc. These words send back our thoughts to like words addressed to Lot at Sodom, by the angel who was urging him to flee therefrom. "Haste thee," said he, "escape thither [to Zoar]; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither" ( Genesis 19:1-38 .). Sodom's ruin was suspended till Lot was safe. The wrath of God was ready to burst forth on the wicked cities of the plain, but it was restrained until... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 7:2

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 rise like the sun. It is not easy to determine what is the special significancy, if any, of the east here, or why this quarter of the heavens is designated rather than the north, the south, or the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 7:3

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 “earth, the sea, and the trees,” seems to include everything - water, land, and the productions of the earth. Nothing was to be injured until the angel should designate the true servants of God.Till we... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 7:2-3

Revelation 7:2-3. And I saw another angel ascending from the east To intimate the progress which the gospel should make from the east to the west; having in his hand the seal of the living God In order to impress a mark upon those who should believe and obey the gospel, and dedicate themselves to his service. And he cried with a loud voice Thus showing the great importance of what he uttered; to the four angels to whom it was given At present to restrain the winds, but afterward to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:1-17

Interval before the seventh seal (7:1-17)God gives John two additional visions before he reveals the vision of the final seal. He wants to reassure his people that he does not forget them during the difficult days when an ungodly world is preparing itself for judgment. God does not allow the winds of judgment to blow across the earth without thought for his people’s security. He knows those who are his and marks them out for his special protection (7:1-3; cf. Ezekiel 9:4-6). The repetition of... read more

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