Bible Commentaries

1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Ver. 1. And I saw another sign] Distinct from the former, and describing the utter overthrow of Antichrist in this and the following chapters.

Great and marvellous] A just wonder it was indeed, the miracle that we in these last times are to look for, that the kingdom of Antichrist should be so easily and suddenly overturned by the preaching of the gospel, as once the walls of Jericho were by the blowing of rams’ horns.

Seven angels] i.e. Certain chieftains of the reformed Churches.

Having the seven last plagues] Being the several parts of the seventh trumpet, and said to be the last that shall in this life be inflicted; though far worse follow in hell, whereof all these are but typical. Here the leaves only (as it were) fall upon reprobates, but hereafter the whole trees. Here they pay but the interest only, but there the whole principal.

2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Ver. 2. As it were a sea of glass] The word of God mingled with the virtue of the Holy Ghost, say some. The world full of affliction, say others.

Having the harps of God] Hearts full of heaven.

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Ver. 3. And they sing] There cannot but be music in the temple of the Holy Ghost.

The song of Moses] As being delivered out of spiritual Egypt.

And the song of the Lamb] That mentioned Revelation 14:3, and the same in effect with that of St Paul, 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Ver. 4. Who shall not fear thee] q.d. How mad are the enemies, how sottish is the world that fear not thee who art the proper object of fear! Psalms 76:11. The Greeks call him θεος, just as δεος, fear; the Chaldee Dechilah for the same reason; and Jacob styled him "The fear of his father Isaac."

For thou only art holy] Before it had been said of his Holiness, Who is like unto the beast Now, Who shall not fear thee, O Lord? for thou only art holy.

For all nations shall come] As being deeply affected with thy heaviest plagues upon Antichrist; they shall better bethink themselves, "They shall return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked," Malachi 3:18.

Are made manifest] i.e. Are begun to be, and more and more shall be, if our sins hinder not.

5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

Ver. 5. The temple of the tabernacle] These words are all one with those Revelation 11:19, to the consideration whereof we are here recalled, after so long an interruption.

6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

Ver. 6. Clothed in pure] Habited as holy priests.

With golden girdles] Here an interpreter gives this note, that they which are lewd and vicious, though never so wise, political, rich, and valiant, shall not be God’s instruments to plague Antichrist and his kingdom. (Mr Bernard.) This their priestly apparel showeth also how that these angels come forth in the Church’s cause, and for her sake, without any by and sinister respect. They are all of them sincere professors of the truth of Christ, their breasts girded with the golden girdles of truth.

7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Ver. 7. And one of the four beasts] The faithful pastors, by their divine discourses of the pure worship of God, the intolerable tyranny of Antichrist, &c., stir up the spirits of God’s servants to set themselves against that man of sin, and to execute upon him the judgment written. "This honour have all his saints," Psalms 149:9.

Seven golden vials] Vessels of large content, but narrow mouths; they pour out slowly, but drench deeply, and distil effectually the wrath of God, which may be let out in minims, and yet do great matters; as there may be much poison in little drops. These vials are said to be golden, to show that this anger is holy.

Full of the wrath of God] Filled out of the cup of his wrath, mentioned in the former chapter.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Ver. 8. And the temple was filled] This shows that God graciously approves and miraculously protects the reformed Churches. See Exodus 40:34-35, 1 Kings 8:10. So he did the Hussites in Bohemia. All Germany was up in arms against them. Actum iam de Hussitis videbatur. Verum Germani, nondum viso hoste, Panico terrore perculsi, diffugerunt, saith the historian. And when things seemed to be in a desperate condition, the Germans, smitten with a panic terror, fled all away before they had looked the enemy in the face. How wonderfully is Geneva preserved in the midst of many mighty enemies! What should I speak of Rochelle relieved, and Leyden rescued, both from heaven! We of this nation have lately seen as much of God’s glory and power in our temple as ever did any.

Till the seven plagues] No Antichristian could understand the end of the seven plagues, till beaten into a better mind. Vexatio dat intellectum.