Revelation 7:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we have, first, an account of the restraint placed on the winds. By these winds, we may understand the errors and corruptions in religion that would bring much trouble and harm to the church of God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind, but here the spirits of error are compared to the four winds, which oppose one another and still do great damage to the church, the garden and vineyard of God. They break branches and spoil the fruit of his planting. The devil is called the prince of the power of the air, and by a great wind he once overthrew the house of Job’s oldest son.

Error is like wind, because it shakes unstable people and carries them here and there (Ephesians 4:14). Notice three things. First, these are called the winds of the earth because they blow only in these lower regions near the earth. Heaven is always clear and free from them. Second, they are held back by the ministry of angels, standing on the four corners of the earth. This shows that the spirit of error cannot act unless God allows it, and that angels serve the good of the church by restraining its enemies. Third, this restraint lasts only for a season, until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. God has a special care for his own servants in times of temptation and corruption, and he has a way to keep them from the common infection. He first strengthens them, then tests them. He has the timing of their trials in his own hand.

Second, we have an account of the sealing of the servants of God. Notice, first, to whom this work was given, to an angel, another angel. While some angels were used to hold back Satan and his agents, another angel was used to mark out and set apart the faithful servants of God. Second, notice how they were distinguished. The seal of God was placed on their foreheads, a mark known to him and as plain as if it were visible to all. By this mark they were set apart for mercy and safety in the worst times.

Third, notice the number of those who were sealed. There is a specific account of those sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve thousand from each tribe, for a total of one hundred forty-four thousand. In this list, the tribe of Dan is left out, perhaps because they were deeply given to idolatry. The order of the tribes is also changed, perhaps according to how faithful they had been to God. Some think these were a select number of Jews preserved for mercy at the destruction of Jerusalem. Others think that time had already passed, so this should be applied more generally to God’s chosen remnant in the world. But if the destruction of Jerusalem was not yet over, and it is hard to prove that it was, then it seems more fitting to understand this as the remnant of that people whom God had reserved according to the election of grace, with a definite number given for an indefinite one.

There is also a general account of those saved from the other nations (Revelation 7:9): a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language. Though these are not said to be sealed, they were chosen by God out of all nations, brought into his church, and standing before the throne. Notice three things. God will gather a greater harvest of souls among the Gentiles than he had among the Jews. More are the children of the desolate woman than of the married woman. The Lord knows who are his, and he will keep them safe in times of dangerous temptation. And though the church of God is only a little flock compared with the wicked world, it is not a small company. It is truly large, and it will keep growing.

Third, we have the songs of saints and angels on this occasion (Revelation 7:9-12). First, there is the praise offered by the saints, and, it seems, by Gentile believers, for God’s care in keeping so large a remnant of the Jews and saving them from unbelief and destruction. The Jewish church prayed for the Gentiles before their conversion, and the Gentile churches have reason to thank God for his special mercy to so many of the Jews, while the rest were cut off.

Notice their position. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, before the Creator and the Mediator, the one who stands between God and sinners. In acts of worship, we draw near to God and should think of ourselves as being in his special presence. We must come to God through Christ. The throne of God would be out of reach for sinners if there were no Mediator. Notice also their clothing. They were dressed in white robes and had palm branches in their hands. They were clothed with the robes of justification, that is, being made right with God, with holiness, and with victory. The palms in their hands were like those carried by conquerors in triumph. Such will the faithful servants of God appear at last, when they have fought the good fight of faith and finished their course.

Notice their work. They cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” This may be read as a prayer of blessing, asking good for the cause of God and Christ in the church and in the world, or as a song of praise, giving God and the Lamb the glory for the great salvation. The Father and the Son are joined together in these praises. The Father planned this salvation, the Son bought it, and those who receive it must and will bless the Lord and the Lamb. They will do this openly and with proper eagerness.

Then there is the song of the angels (Revelation 7:11-12). Notice their place. They stand before the throne of God, attending him and surrounding the saints, ready to serve them. Notice their posture. It is very humble and shows the greatest reverence. They fell down before the throne on their faces and worshiped God. Think of the most excellent creatures, who never sinned and are always before him. They do not only cover their faces, they fall on their faces before the Lord. What humility, then, and what deep reverence, should belong to us, frail and sinful as we are, when we come into God’s presence. We should bow before him. Our hearts and our outward conduct should both show respect in every prayer and act of worship.

Notice their praise. They agreed with the saints’ praise and added their own “Amen” to it. There is perfect harmony in heaven between angels and saints. Then they added more, saying, “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Here they acknowledge God’s glorious qualities, his wisdom, his power, and his might. They declare that because of these divine perfections, he should be blessed, praised, and glorified forever. They seal it with their Amen. Here we see what heaven is like, and we should begin that work now. We should train our hearts for it, spend much time in it, and long for that world where our praise, as well as our happiness, will be complete.