And (1) after these things I saw four angels standing on the (a) 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, (2) nor on any tree.
(1) The second part of this section is a preventing of danger, as we distinguished before in (Revelation 6:1) that is, of the caution of God ahead of time to provide for his, after the example of the Israelites; (Exodus 8:23) the faithful are exempted from the plagues of this wicked world. This section is a dialogue and bringing in for this whole chapter by occasion of the prediction and argument of the sixth seal. For first harm is withheld from the elect, (Revelation 7:1-9). Then thanks are given by the elect for that cause (Revelation 7:10-12). Lastly, the accomplishment of it is set forth to the end of the chapter. The first verse is a transition, speaking of the angels who keep the lesser parts from harm, until God commands. For, as in (Ezekiel 10:19), their faces and their wings reach up, continually waiting on and watching the countenance of God for their direction and every one of them goes into that part that is right before his face: wherever the Spirit goes, they go, they do not step out of the way, not so much as a foot breadth from the path commanded to them by God.
(a) On the four corners or coasts of the earth. (2) That is, neither into the air, into which the trees grow.