Revelation 7:1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
A perfect calm there must be till God's people are saved. Not a leaf shall stir to do them damage. Not a dash of foam upon the waters no movement of wind, or sea, or tree.
Revelation 7:2-3. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with aloud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Everything exists for the servant of God. Creation is but a scaffold for the Church; and when God's Church is finished, then all may be taken down, but not till then.
Revelation 7:4-5. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand.
The order is not that of nature, but of grace, else Reuben would have come first. And the election of God is not according to birth or blood, but according to his sovereign will. Judah: then Reuben.
Revelation 7:5-8. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand.
And of the last and least tribe still the same.
Revelation 7:8. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Methinks many believers belong to the tribe of Benjamin doubting, fearing, little in faith, and confidence, but Benjamin still has his men.
Revelation 7:9. After this I beheld,
The Gentile Church.
Revelation 7:9. And, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,
It will do some people good to see that sight, for they fancy that all the saints go to their place of worship. There are no good people anywhere except those that think exactly as they do. So they seem to fancy. Oh! that their eyes were opened a little, for I am afraid that some Christians are very like the mouse that had always lived in a box, and on some grand occasion climbed up to the edge of the box. He looked over and saw the vast area of the cupboard, and said, «I had no idea the world was so big as that», and yet it had never seen outside the cupboard even then. Oh! for eyes that could see a sight like this. «After this, I behold, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number» (we can count pretty high too) «of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.»
Revelation 7:9. Stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes.
Perfectly pure perfectly happy arrayed like priests and conquerors, for they had «palms in their hands.»
Revelation 7:9-11. And palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne.
In the outer ring and about the elders that represent the church, who stand in the inner ring, nearest to Christ, and nearest akin to the Son of Man.
Revelation 7:11-12. And about the elders and four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Saying, Amen: Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.
Grand ascriptions of praise to make the worship perfect, as all worship should be which is presented to God as all worship will be when we shall once get to heaven.
Revelation 7:13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these This vast crowd what are these?
Revelation 7:13-17. Which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.