Bible Commentaries

The Redeemed

Two visions interposed between the sixth and seventh seals. There are similar episodes between the sixth and seventh trumpets and bowls.

1-3. Four angels are holding in check the four winds of God's judgments (Revelation 7:1), and are ordered not to release them until God's servants are sealed, i.e. marked as His: cp. Ezekiel 9:4; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Timothy 2:19; (Revelation 7:2.). These four winds may be the horsemen of Revelation 6:1. The meaning is, that Christians need not fear the judgments of Revelation 6. Not a hair of their head shall perish (Luke 21:18).

4-8. The complete number of God's people (see on Revelation 21:15.), and that a large one (144,000 is the square of 12 a thousandfold), is being gathered together for everlasting safety. The Church of Christ is spoken of in OT. language: cp. Romans 2:28. The tribe of Dan is not mentioned, perhaps because of a Jewish tradition that Antichrist was to come from that tribe.

9-17. St. John sees, in another vision, how the saints, the '144,000,' are preserved. They may not be delivered from death, but they will be delivered by death: cp. Luke 21:16. Robes and palms of victory (Revelation 7:9.) are for those who 'overcome,' and they are enabled to overcome by the 'blood,' i.e. by the communicated power of the sacrificed life of the Lamb: cp. Revelation 12:11; (Revelation 7:14). Their blessed state is pictured in sweet imagery drawn from the OT. (Revelation 7:15-17).

10. Salvation] i.e. victory: cp. Psalms 3:8; RM.

11. Beasts] RV 'living creatures.'

12. Sevenfold praise.

14. Sir] RV 'My lord.' Great] RV 'the great.' Washed] cp. Revelation 22:14 RV.

15. Dwell among] RV 'spread his tabernacle over': cp. Leviticus 16:2; Leviticus 26:11; Ezekiel 10:3.; Ezekiel 37:27.

16. Cp. Isaiah 49:10.

17. Feed] RV 'be their shepherd': cp. Psalms 23:1. Ezekiel 34:23. Living fountains of waters] RV 'fountains of waters of life': cp. Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17; Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:10; John 7:37.

Wipe away] cp. Isaiah 25:8.