Revelation 7:10-12 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And cried with a loud voice In token of the intenseness of their devotion; saying, Salvation to our God That is, Let the salvation which we have attained be ascribed to him; which sitteth upon the throne And from thence has graciously regarded us, and exalted us to such dignity and happiness, mean and miserable as we once were. And unto the Lamb Let it be also ascribed to the mediation and grace of the Lamb, who gave himself to be slain for our redemption. The salvation for which they praised God is a deliverance from sin and its consequences, and a restoration to the favour and image of God, and communion with him here, and the eternal enjoyment of him hereafter. It is described and exhibited in its blessed results and completion, Revelation 7:15-17: that for which they praise God is described Revelation 7:15; that for which they praise the Lamb, Revelation 7:14; and both in the 16th and 17th verses. This vision, especially when compared with the former, in the fourth and fifth Chapter s, Lowman also thinks is to be understood of the church in heaven; because, as heaven seems to be the proper scene of the vision, so the innumerable company of saints, with whom the angels join in the following words, in the presence of God and the Lamb, is most naturally to be understood of those who, having been faithful unto death, have received the crown of immortal life in the state of heavenly happiness. And he questions whether the praises of the church on earth can answer this prophetic description, or the intention of the prophetic Spirit, in the great encouragement it designed to give to faithfulness and constancy. He thinks, to understand it of the heavenly church, is a natural sense of the expressions, and a sense proper to the design of the prophecy, as it represents the faithful martyrs and confessors, once so great sufferers on earth, now blessed saints in heaven. And all the angels stood In waiting; round the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures That is, the living creatures next the throne, the elders round these, and the angels round them both; and fell before the throne Of the Divine Majesty; on their faces So do the elders once only, Revelation 11:16; and worshipped God Joining in the same act of worship and thanksgiving with the saints; saying, Amen So let it be! With this word all the angels confirm the praises and thanksgivings of the great multitude, and show their hearty consent with them and approbation of them, carrying likewise the praises much higher, saying, Blessing, and glory, &c., be unto our God for ever and ever May all creatures for ever bless and give thanks to him, as originally and essentially possessed of supreme glory, complete wisdom, of irresistible and almighty power, and therefore worthy of all honour, though exalted above all praise. Before the Lamb began to open the seven seals, a seven-fold hymn of praise was brought him by many angels, Revelation 5:12. Now he is upon opening the last seal, and the seven angels are going to receive seven trumpets, in order to make the kingdoms of the world subject to God, all the angels give seven-fold praise to God.