Openbaring 7

1 En na dezen zag ik vier engelen staan op de vier hoeken der aarde, houdende de vier winden der aarde, opdat geen wind zou waaien op de aarde, noch op de zee, noch tegen enigen boom.

2 En ik zag een anderen engel opkomen van den opgang der zon, hebbende het zegel des levenden Gods; en hij riep met een grote stem tot de vier engelen, welke macht gegeven was de aarde en de zee te beschadigen,

3 Zeggende: Beschadigt de aarde niet, noch de zee, noch de bomen, totdat wij de dienstknechten onzes Gods zullen verzegeld hebben aan hun voorhoofden.

4 En ik hoorde het getal dergenen, die verzegeld waren: honderd vier en veertig duizend waren verzegeld uit alle geslachten der kinderen Israels.

5 Uit het geslacht van Juda waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Ruben waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Gad waren twaalf duizend verzegeld;

6 Uit het geslacht van Aser waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Nafthali waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Manasse waren twaalf duizend verzegeld;

7 Uit het geslacht van Simeon waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Levi waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Issaschar waren twaalf duizend verzegeld;

8 Uit het geslacht van Zebulon waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Jozef waren twaalf duizend verzegeld; uit het geslacht van Benjamin waren twaalf duizend verzegeld.

9 Na dezen zag ik, en ziet, een grote schare, die niemand tellen kon, uit alle natie, en geslachten, en volken, en talen, staande voor den troon, en voor het Lam, bekleed zijnde met lange witte klederen, en palm takken waren in hun handen.

10 En zij riepen met grote stem, zeggende: De zaligheid zij onzen God, Die op den troon zit, en het Lam.

11 En al de engelen stonden rondom den troon, en rondom de ouderlingen en de vier dieren; en vielen voor den troon neder op hun aangezicht, en aanbaden God,

12 Zeggende: Amen. De lof, en de heerlijkheid, en de wijsheid, en de dankzegging, en de eer, en de kracht, en de sterkte zij onzen God in alle eeuwigheid. Amen.

13 En een uit de ouderlingen antwoordde, zeggende tot mij: Dezen, die bekleed zijn met de lange witte klederen, wie zijn zij, en van waar zijn zij gekomen?

14 En ik sprak tot hem: Heere, gij weet het. En hij zeide tot mij: Dezen zijn het, die uit de grote verdrukking komen; en zij hebben hun lange klederen gewassen, en hebben hun lange klederen wit gemaakt in het bloed des Lams.

15 Daarom zijn zij voor den troon van God, en dienen Hem dag en nacht in Zijn tempel; en Die op den troon zit, zal hen overschaduwen.

16 Zij zullen niet meer hongeren, en zullen niet meer dorsten, en de zon zal op hen niet vallen, noch enige hitte.

17 Want het Lam, Dat in het midden des troons is, zal hen weiden, en zal hun een Leidsman zijn tot levende fonteinen der wateren; en God zal alle tranen van hun ogen afwissen.

Openbaring 7 Commentary

Chapter 7

A pause between two great periods. (1-3) The peace, happiness, and safety of the saints, as signified by an angel's sealing 144,000. (4-8) A song of praise. (9-12) The blessedness and glory of those that suffered martyrdom for Christ. (13-17)

Verses 1-8 In the figurative language of Scripture, the blowing of the four winds together, means a dreadful and general destruction. But the destruction is delayed. Seals were used to mark for each person his own possessions. This mark is the witness of the Holy Ghost, printed in the hearts of believers. And the Lord would not suffer his people to be afflicted before they were marked, that they might be prepared against all conflicts. And, observe, of those who are thus sealed by the Spirit, the seal must be on the forehead, plainly to be seen alike by friends and foes, but not by the believer himself, except as he looks stedfastly in the glass of God's word. The number of those who were sealed, may be understood to stand for the remnant of people which God reserved. Though the church of God is but a little flock, in comparison with the wicked world, yet it is a society really large, and to be still more enlarged. Here the universal church is figured under the type of Israel.

Verses 9-12 The first fruits of Christ having led the way, the Gentiles converted later follow, and ascribe their salvation to God and the Redeemer, with triumph. In acts of religious worship we come nigh to God, and must come by Christ; the throne of God could not be approached by sinners, were it not for a Mediator. They were clothed with the robes of justification, holiness, and victory; and they had palms in their hands, as conquerors used to appear in their triumphs. Such a glorious appearance will the faithful servants of God make at last, when they have fought the good fight of faith, and finished their course. With a loud voice they gave to God and the Lamb the praise of the great salvation. Those who enjoy eternal happiness must and will bless both the Father and the Son; they will do it publicly, and with fervour. We see what is the work of heaven, and we ought to begin it now, to have our hearts much in it, and to long for that world where our praises, as well as our happiness, will be made perfect.

Verses 13-17 Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright. Those who would gain knowledge, must not be ashamed to seek instruction from any who can give it. The way to heaven is through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation makes heaven more welcome and more glorious. It is not the blood of the martyrs, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin, and make the soul pure and clean in the sight of God; other blood stains, this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white and clean. They are happy in their employment; heaven is a state of service, though not of suffering; it is a state of rest, but not of sloth; it isa praising, delightful rest. They have had sorrows, and shed many tears on account of sin and affliction; but God himself, with his own gracious hand, will wipe those tears away. He deals with them as a tender father. This should support the Christian under all his troubles. As all the redeemed owe their happiness wholly to sovereign mercy; so the work and worship of God their Saviour is their element; his presence and favour complete their happiness, nor can they conceive of any other joy. To Him may all his people come; from him they receive every needed grace; and to him let them offer all praise and glory.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 7

This chapter contains a vision seen at the end of the sixth, and at the opening of the seventh seal, which expresses the security of the saints in all ages following, the praises of angels and men on that account, and the happiness of all the people of God in the millennium state. First, a vision of four angels is seen restraining the winds from blowing on the earth, sea, and trees, Re 7:1; then of another angel, described by the place from whence he came, the east; by what he had, the seal of the living God, and by his cry to the four angels not to hurt the earth, sea, and trees, until the servants of God were sealed, Re 7:2,3, and then follows the number of the sealed ones in general, Re 7:4, and the particular number of them out of each tribe of Israel, Re 7:5-8. After which is another vision of all the elect of God together, described by the numberless multitude of them; by their descent from all nations; by their position and situation before the throne, and the Lamb; by their habit and attire, and by their loud cry, ascribing salvation to God, and to the Lamb, Re 7:9,10, who are joined by all the angels around them, worshipping God, and ascribing glory to him, Re 7:11,12. And next is described the happiness of this numerous company, in the thousand years' reign, introduced by some discourse which passed between John, and one of the elders, Re 7:13,14, who are said to be before the throne, to serve God continually, and to have his presence, Re 7:15, to be free from everything troublesome and distressing, Re 7:16, and to be fed by the Lamb, and to be led by him to fountains of living water, and to have all their tears wiped away from them, Re 7:17.