Revelation Chapter 7
Excerpts from-
Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith
Page 453
Revelation Chapter VII
The Seal of the Living God
Verse 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. 2
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living
God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to
hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor
the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
The time of the work here introduced is established
beyond mistake. The sixth chapter closed with the events of the sixth seal, and
the seventh seal is not mentioned until we reach the beginning of Revelation 8.
The whole of Revelation 7 is therefore thrown in here
parenthetically.
Why is it thus introduced at this point? Evidently it
is given for the purpose of stating additional particulars concerning the sixth
seal.
The expression, "after these things," does
not mean after the fulfillment of all the events previously described, but
after the prophets had been carried in vision to the close of the sixth seal,
that the consecutive order of events as given in Revelation 6 might not be
broken, his mind is called to what is mentioned in Revelation 7, as further
particulars in regard to the seal.
We inquire, Between what events in that seal is this
work done?
It must be accomplished before the departing of the
heavens as a scroll, for after that event there is no place for such a work as
this. It must take place after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, for these
signs have already been fulfilled, and such a sealing work has not yet been
accomplished.
It comes in therefore between the 13th and 14th verses
of Revelation 6. There, as already shown, is just where we now stand. Hence the
first part of Revelation 7 relates to a work the accomplishment of which may be
looked for now.
Four Angels.--
Angels are ever-present agents in the affairs of the
earth. Why may not these be four of those heavenly
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beings into whose hands God has committed the work of
holding the winds while it is God's purpose that they should not blow, and
loosing them when the time comes for the hurting of the earth?
Four Corners of the Earth.--
This expression denotes the four quarters, or the four
points of the compass, and signifies that these angels in their particular
sphere have charge of the whole earth.
Four Winds.--
Winds in the Bible symbolize political commotion,
strife, and war. (Daniel 7: 2, Jeremiah 25: 32.) The four winds, held by four
angels standing in the four quarters of the earth, must denote all the elements
of strife and commotion that exist in the world. When they are all loosed and
all blow together, it will constitute the great whirlwind just referred to in
the prophecy of Jeremiah.
Angel Ascending From the East.--
Another literal angel, having charge of another
specific work, is here introduced. Instead of the words "ascending from
the east," some translations read, "ascending from the
sunrising," which is a more literal translation. The expression evidently
refers to manner rather than locality, for as the sun rises with rays at first
oblique and comparatively powerless, then increases in strength until it shine
in all its meridian power and splendor, so the work of this angel begins in
moderation, moves onward with ever-accumulating influence, and closes in
strength and power.
Seal of the Living God.--
It is the distinguishing characteristic of the
ascending angel that he bears with him the seal of the living God.
From this fact and the chronology of his work we are
to determine if possible what movement is symbolized by his mission.
The nature of his work is evidently suggested by his
having the seal of the living God.
To ascertain what his work is, we must determine what
the seal of the living God is.
A seal is defined to be an instrument of sealing, that
which "is used by individuals, corporate bodies, and states, for making
impressions on wax, upon instruments of writing, as an evidence of their
authenticity." The original word in this text
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is defined, "A seal, i.e., a signet ring; a mark,
stamp, badge; a token, a pledge."
The verb signifies: "To secure to any one, to
make sure; to set a seal or mark upon anything in token of its being genuine or
approved; to attest, to confirm, to establish, to distinguish by a mark."
With these definitions as a basis, we compare Genesis 17: 11 with Romans 4: 11,
and Revelation 7: 3 with Ezekiel 9: 4, and find that the words
"token," "sign," "seal," and "mark" are
used in the Bible as synonymous terms. The seal of God brought to view in our
text is to applied to the servants of God. In this case it is not some literal
mark to be made in the flesh, but some institution or observance having special
reference to God, which will serve as a "mark of distinction" between
the worshipers of God and those who are not His servants, though they may
profess to follow Him.
A seal is used to render valid or authentic any
enactments or laws that a person or power may promulgate. Frequent instances of
its use occur in the Scriptures. In 1 Kings 21: 8, we read that Jezebel
"wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal." These
letters then had all the authority of King Ahab. Again, in Esther 3: 12:
"In the name of King Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's
ring." So also in Esther 8: 8: "The writing which is written in the
king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."
A seal is used in connection with some law or
enactment that demands obedience, or upon documents that are to be made legal,
or subject to the provisions of law. The idea of law is inseparable from a
seal.
We are not to suppose that to the enactments and laws
of God binding upon men, there must be attached a literal seal, made with
literal instruments. From the definition of the term, and the purpose for which
a seal is used, as shown before, we must understand a seal to be strictly that
which gives validity and authenticity to enactments and laws. This is found in
the name of signature of the lawmaking power, ex-
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pressed in such terms as to show what power is, and
its right to make laws and demand obedience. Even with a literal seal, the name
must always be used as indicated in the references given above. An instance of
the use of the name alone seems to occur in Daniel 6: 8: "Now, O king,
establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according
to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not." In other words,
affix the signature of royalty, which shows who it is that demands obedience,
and what his right is to demand it.
In the prophecy of Isaiah 8, we read: "Bind up
the testimony, seal the law among My disciples." This must refer to a work
of reviving in the minds of the disciples some of the claims of the law which
have been overlooked, or perverted from their true meaning. In the prophecy
this is called sealing the law, or restoring to it its seal, which had been
taken from it.
The 144,000 who in the chapter before us are said to
be sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads, are again brought to view in
Revelation 14: 1, where they are said to have the Father's name written in
their foreheads.
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More on this tomorrow by the GRACE and MERCY of our
LORD all by HIS WILL, not ours!
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
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