Rev. 7 Rev. 7:1 John seeth four angels holding the four winds, Rev. 7:2–3 and another angel coming to seal the servants of God in their foreheads. Rev. 7:4–8 The number of them that were sealed out of each of the tribes of Israel. Rev.

The first sufferings of the church under the Roman emperors that were pagans, was foretold under the first six seals, as hath been showed; but they had yet more, if not greater, things to suffer, which are discovered to John, as we shall see when we come to the opening of the seventh and last seal…

By this other angel, some understand an angel by nature; some, a man, Elijah, or Constantine; others, Christ himself, called an Angel, Ex. 23:20. It is not much material whether we by this angel understand Christ, or some angel which he made his instrument.

A manifest allusion to Ezek. 9:4, and, as some think, to the usage of some eastern countries, for masters to set their names upon the forehead of their slaves, by which they were known to be theirs, as we mark our sheep or other beasts.

Ver. 4-8. For the understanding of these five verses several things are to be noted. 1. That the whole number is one hundred and forty-four thousand, which is the product of twelve, as the original number, (setting aside the ciphers), for twelve times twelve make one hundred and forty-four.

If we inquire who these were, we are told, Rev. 7:14, by the best Interpreter: These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, & c. So that they do not seem to be the one hundred and forty-four thousand mentioned for preservation in and from the evil, Rev.

They acknowledge their temporal, spiritual, and eternal salvation to the gift and free mercy of God, in whom they had trusted, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose merits and Spirit they had got the victory.

And all the angels stood round about the throne; the good angels, who always in heaven behold the face of their and our heavenly Father. And about the elders; and about the twenty-four elders, mentioned Rev. 4:4. And the four beasts; and the living creatures, mentioned Rev. 4:6.

These words only signify the union and harmony of the angels and saints in praising God: See Poole on “Rev. 5:12”.

Not that he did not know, but to try whether John knew, or rather to set John upon inquiring.

John confessing his own ignorance, applies himself to this elder for instruction, who tells him: These were the souls of them that came out of great sufferings and persecution; but he addeth, that they were such as were washed in the blood of Christ.

Therefore are they before the throne of God; not that they by their sufferings have merited heaven, but because it pleaseth God of his free grace so to reward them; therefore it was said, not only that they were such as came out of tribulation, but that they had washed their garments in the blood…

This is taken out of Isa. 49:10. They are all metaphorical expressions, all signifying the perfect state of glorified saints; they shall have no wants, nor be exposed to any afflictive providences.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne; Christ, the Lamb mentioned Rev. 5:6. Shall feed them, &c. shall take care of them, to satisfy and to protect them, and give them the best supplies, and both make them to forget their former sorrows, and prevent any timher cause of sorrow and…