Revelation 7

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1

And after these things. ΄ετὰ τοῦτο , or, as some cursives read, μετὰ ταῦτα , is generally regarded as denoting the close of the sixth seal and the commencement of a new subject, interjected by way of episode between the sixth and seventh seals. But, even if not looked upon as an integral part of the revelations made under the sixth seal, the connection is so close that the two must be regarded practically as one. The incidents of the seventh chapter are evidently the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-3

A sketch of an impending judgment. "And after these things," etc. The text points to a judgment that is overhanging the world, entrusted to angels for its execution, and who are restrained in their work by a special messenger from heaven on account of the godly tenants of the earth. This is a view of the passage which scarcely admits of any data for a different opinion. From the words we see— I. THE WORLD EXPOSED TO JUDGMENT . It is represented as exposed to "the four winds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-8

The Church on earth, sealed in the great tribulation. The visions of this chapter are set between the sixth and seventh seals. The great tribulation, to which the opening of the sixth seal is the prelude, is not that of the final day of wrath, for we are but at the sixth seal, and not the seventh. Nor can this great tribulation be any merely local calamity, for according to Revelation 7:9-14 those coming out of it are of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. It is so... read more

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:4

And I heard the number of them which were sealed. The description of the actual operation of sealing is omitted (cf. Ezekiel 9:1-11 ., where it is also omitted). And there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand . Omit "and there were." This number—the square of 12 multiplied by 1000—is typical of a large and perfect number. No one has ever said that the number should be taken literally; and there are evident reasons why it could not be so intended. We have, therefore, to... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 7:4

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