Revelation7
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 I the of the , the of the , .
2 I the of the , the of the , he with a to the had been to ,
3 , the the the , we have the of .
4 I the of the , , of the of :
5 the of were , the of , the of ,
6 the of , the of , the of ,
7 the of , the of , the of ,
8 the of , the of , the of were .
9 I , , a no , , from all , the the , in , ,
10 with a , belongs to the , to the !
11 the were the around the the , they the ,
12 , ! be to and ! .
13 the , , , in , from have they ?
14 I to , , . he to , the ones out the . They have the of the .
15 they the of , ; he who the will with his presence.
16 They shall , ; the , .
17 the in the of the will , he will of , will .
People in this chapter — 13
All people →Study
Revelation 7Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 7. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: 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).
vv1-8
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.
vv9-12
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.
vv13-17
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.
Key Words
μετά (metá): properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 (ἀπό) or G1537 (ἐκ) and G1519 (εἰς) or G4314 (πρός); less intimate than G1722 (ἐν) and less close than G4862 (σύν))
τοῦτο (toûto): that thing
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
τέσσαρες (téssares): four
ἄγγελος (ángelos): compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἵστημι (hístēmi): to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἐπί (epí): properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
γωνία (gōnía): an angle
γῆ (gē): soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
κρατέω (kratéō): to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Revelation 7Direct Old Testament precedent of marking/sealing God's servants on their foreheads for preservation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct verbal parallel: no hunger, thirst, or heat/sun striking down upon the redeemed.
Supported by JFB
The prophetic promise that God will wipe away all tears from off their faces.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Uses the metaphor of the 'four winds' to represent stormy, destructive dispensations.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The same 144,000 appear on Mount Zion bearing the Father's name on their foreheads.
Supported by JFB
Angels gathering the elect from the four winds, matching the containment of judgment winds here.
Supported by JFB
The locust judgment is commanded to spare only those having the seal of God on foreheads.
Supported by JFB
The great multitude gathered from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation bought by the Lamb.
The promise of God dwelling among His temple-serving people fulfilled in the heavenly reality.
Fulfillment of the promise that God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Filthy garments exchanged for clean, white robes, prefiguring the washing of saints' robes.
Jesus as the source who leads the redeemed to living fountains of water.
Promised reward of walking with Christ in white, representing holiness and victory.