Revelation:7

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* And (note :)The second part of this section is a preventing of danger , as we distinguished before in ( Rev_6:1 ) that is , of the caution of God ahead of time to provide for his , after the example of the Israelites ; ( Exo_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 , ( Rev_7:1-9 ). Then thanks are given by the elect for that cause ( Rev_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 ( Eze_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 .(:note ) after these things I saw four angels standing on the On the four corners or coasts of the earth . 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 , That is , neither into the air , into which the trees grow . nor on any tree . * * Hurt ye not the earth , neither the sea , neither the trees , til we haue sealed the seruants of our God in their foreheads . * And I heard the number of them which were sealed : [and there were ] sealed (note :)That is , of the Jews a number certain in itself before God , and such as may be numbered of us : for which cause also the same is here set down as certain . But of the elect who are Gentiles , the number indeed is in itself certain with God , but of us not possibly to be numbered , as God , ( Gen_15:5 ). This is spoken with respect , when a certain number is put for one uncertain . Compare with ( Rev_7:9 ).(:note ) an hundred [and ] forty [and ] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel . * Of the tribe of Iuda were sealed twelue thousande . Of the tribe of Ruben were sealed twelue thousande . Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelue thousande . * Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelue thousand . Of the tribe of Nephthali were sealed twelue thousand . Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelue thousand . * Of the tribe of Simeon [were ] sealed twelve thousand . (note :)Here the tribe of Levi is listed with the rest , because all the Israelites were equally made priests with them in Christ by his priesthood ( Rom_12:1 ; 1Pe_2:9 ; Rev_1:6 ; Rev_5:10 ). Dan is not mentioned , because the Danites long before forsaking the worship of God , were fallen away from the fellowship of God 's people , to the part of the Gentiles : which evil many ages before Jacob foresaw ( Gen_49:17-18 ), and because of which no mention is made of this tribe in the book of Chronicles .(:note ) Of the tribe of He skipped Dan , and reckons Levi . 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 (note :)Of Ephraim , who was Joseph 's other son , and had the birthright given him , of which he is called Joseph .(:note ) Joseph [were ] sealed twelve thousand . Of the tribe of Benjamin [were ] sealed twelve thousand . * After this I beheld , and , lo , a great multitude , (note :){{See Rev_7:4 }}(:note ) which no man could number , of all nations , and kindreds , and people , and tongues , As priests , kings and glorious conquerors by martyrdom : which is noted by the signs in this verse . stood before the throne , and before the Lamb , clothed with white robes , and palms in their hands ; * * And all the Angels stoode rounde about the throne , and about the Elders , and the foure beastes , and they fell before the throne on their faces , and worshipped God , * Saying , Amen . Praise , and glorie , and wisdom , and thankes , and honour , and power , and might bee vnto our God for euermore , Amen . * * And I said unto him , Sir , thou knowest . And he said to me , (note :)The explanation of the vision , in which the angel tells first the acts of the saints , that is , their sufferings and work of faith in Christ Jesus , in this verse . Secondly their glory : both present , which consists in two things , that they minister to God , and that God protects them ( Rev_7:15 ) and to come , in their perfect deliverance from all annoyances ( Rev_7:16 ) and in participation of all good things which the memory of past hurts shall never be able to diminish ( Rev_7:17 ). The cause efficient and which contains all these things is only one , the Lamb of God , the Lord , the Mediator , and the Saviour Christ Jesus .(:note ) 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 (note :)He alludes to the Levites , who served day and night , for there is no night in heaven .(:note ) day and night in his temple : and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell Or , upon them , referring to God 's defence and protection of those who are as safe , as men in the Lord 's tents . among them . * They shall hunger no more , neither thirst any more , neither shall the sunne light on them , neither any heate . * For the Lambe , which is in the middes of the throne , shall gouerne them , and shall leade them vnto the liuely fountaines of waters , and God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes .

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