Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Revelation
Book: Revelation
Chapter: 7
Overview:
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)
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.
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.
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 is a
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.