1.
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.
And. Some texts omit.
after. App-104 .
these things. The texts read "this".
saw. App-133 .
on (first and fourth occurance) Greek. epi . App-104 .
earth. App-129 .
holding = holding fast. Greek. krateo. Compare App-172 .
four winds. See Jeremiah 49:36 . Daniel 7:2 ; Daniel 8:8 ; Daniel 11:4 .Zechariah 2:6 ; Zechariah 6:5 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
on (second and third occurance) Greek. epi. App-104 .
nor, nor. Greek. mete. See App-105 .
any. App-123 . tree. Greek. dendron. Not as in Revelation 2:7 .
2.
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,
another. App-124 .
east. Literally sunrising.
the = a.
living. App-170 .
God. App-98 .
loud = great.
3.
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
neither. Same as nor, Revelation 7:1 .
have = shall have, sealed. See App-197 . Compare Revelation 9:4 ; Revelation 14:1 ; Revelation 22:4 , and See Revelation 13:16 ; Revelation 14:9 . This sealing is visible and protects the elect (Matthew 24:31 ) of Israel during the tribulation, marking them off as worshippers of the true God.
servants. App-190 .
in = upon. App-104 .
4.
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.
them which were = the.
an hundred, &c. See App-197 .
children. App-108 .
5.
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.
were sealed. Omit.
twelve. See App-197 .
(5-8) These verses: foretell a literal sealing of a literal number of people taken from these tribes of Israel. No Jew now knows for certain his tribe, but the Divine sealers know 144,000 ( App-10 ) are set apart for God's purposes. Dan and Ephraim are omitted, Levi and Joseph taking their places. For the reason, see Leviticus 24:10-16 . Deuteronomy 29:18-21 .Judges 18:2-31 . 1Ki 12:26-38 . Hosea 4:17 . Their restoration to earthly inheritance is shown (Ezekiel 48 ), the reason being given in Romans 11:29 .
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
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;
After this. As Revelation 1:19 .
beheld. As Revelation 7:1 (saw).
lo. App-133 .
multitude. These are converts during the great tribulation.
no man = no one. Greek. oudeis.
kindreds. As Revelation 7:4 (tribes).
people = peoples.
stood = were standing.
palms. Greek. phoinix. Only here and John 12:13 . Compare the "great hosanna" of the Jews on the last day of "Tabernacles".
10.
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
cried = they cry.
Salvation. Greek soteria. In Rev. only here, Revelation 12:10 ; Revelation 19:1 .
unto = to.
11.
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,
stood = were standing.
worshipped. App-137 .
12.
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Amen. See Revelation 1:6 .
Blessing, &c. A sevenfold ( App-10 ) ascription. Compare Revelation 5:12 , where it is to the Lamb, while here it is to God. Prefix the def. art. to each term.
for . . . ever. See Revelation 1:6 .
13.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
answered = masked. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .
What = Who.
14.
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.
Sir. Most texts read "My lord".
knowest. See App-132 .
which came = who come.
out of. App-104 .
great, &c. = the great, &c. Compare Matthew 24:21 . See Jeremiah 30:5-7 . Daniel 12:1 . Nothing to do with Christ's sufferings and death on the cross.
have. Omit.
washed. Greek. pluno. Only here. App-136 . Septuagint uses in Psalms 51:2 , Psalms 51:7 for Hebrew. kabas. These wash "their own robes" the standing of works, not of grace. For latter see 1 Corinthians 6:11 .
in = by. i.e. by virtue of, the en being here the efficient cause. App-104 . See Revelation 1:5 ; Revelation 5:9 , and App-95 , note 2, "washing in blood".
15.
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.
Therefore = For this cause, or On this account. Greek. dia touto.
serve. App-137 and App-190
day and night. Hebraism for "continually".
Temple. See Revelation 3:12 .
dwell. Greek. skenoo. Here; Revelation 12:12 ; Revelation 13:6 ; Revelation 21:3 . See John 1:14 and compare Isaiah 4:5 , Isaiah 4:6 .
among = over. Greek. epi,
16.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
neither, neither, nor. Greek. oude, the second occurance followed by me .
light. Greek. pipto . Occ twenty-three times in Rev., always "fall" except here. See Revelation 16:8 . Compare Isaiah 30:26 .
heat = scorching heat. Greek. kauma. Only here and Revelation 16:9 .
17.
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.
shall = will.
feed = tend, or shepherd. See Revelation 2:27 . Micah 5:4 .
living, &c. The texts read "fountains of waters of life" ( App-170 .) See Revelation 21:4 . These two verses: refer to Isaiah 49:8-10 ; Isaiah 25:8 . Jeremiah 31:9 , Jeremiah 31:10-25 .Ezekiel 47:1 , Ezekiel 47:12 .