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Revelation 7:14 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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14 And G2532 I said G2046 unto him, G846 Sir, G2962 thou G4771 knowest. G1492 And G2532 he said G2036 to me, G3427 These G3778 are they G1526 which came G2064 out of G1537 great G3173 tribulation, G2347 and G2532 have washed G4150 their G846 robes, G4749 and G2532 made G3021 them G4749 G846 white G3021 in G1722 the blood G129 of the Lamb. G721

Cross Reference

Zechariah 3:3-5 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now Joshua H3091 was clothed H3847 with filthy H6674 garments, H899 and stood H5975 before H6440 the angel. H4397 And he answered H6030 and spake H559 unto those that stood H5975 before H6440 him, saying, H559 Take away H5493 the filthy H6674 garments H899 from him. And unto him he said, H559 Behold, H7200 I have caused thine iniquity H5771 to pass H5674 from thee, and I will clothe H3847 thee with change of raiment. H4254 And I said, H559 Let them set H7760 a fair H2889 mitre H6797 upon his head. H7218 So they set H7760 a fair H2889 mitre H6797 upon his head, H7218 and clothed H3847 him with garments. H899 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 stood by. H5975

Ephesians 5:26-27 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

That G2443 he might sanctify G37 and cleanse it G2511 with the washing G3067 of water G5204 by G1722 the word, G4487 That G2443 he might present G3936 it G846 to himself G1438 a glorious G1741 church, G1577 not G3361 having G2192 spot, G4696 or G2228 wrinkle, G4512 or G2228 any G5100 such thing; G5108 but G235 that G2443 it should be G5600 holy G40 and G2532 without blemish. G299

Revelation 6:9-11 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And G2532 when G3753 he had opened G455 the fifth G3991 seal, G4973 I saw G1492 under G5270 the altar G2379 the souls G5590 of them that were slain G4969 for G1223 the word G3056 of God, G2316 and G2532 for G1223 the testimony G3141 which G3739 they held: G2192 And G2532 they cried G2896 with a loud G3173 voice, G5456 saying, G3004 How G2193 long, G4219 O Lord, G1203 holy G40 and G2532 true, G228 dost thou G2919 not G3756 judge G2919 and G2532 avenge G1556 our G2257 blood G129 on G575 them that dwell G2730 on G1909 the earth? G1093 And G2532 white G3022 robes G4749 were given G1325 unto every one of them; G1538 and G2532 it was said G4483 unto them, G846 that G2443 they should rest G373 yet G2089 for a little G3398 season, G5550 until G2193 their G846 fellowservants G4889 also G2532 and G2532 their G846 brethren, G80 that should G3195 be killed G615 as G5613 G2532 they G846 were, should G3739 be fulfilled. G4137

John 13:8-14 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Peter G4074 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Thou shalt G3538 never G1519 G165 G3364 wash G3538 my G3450 feet. G4228 Jesus G2424 answered G611 him, G846 If G3362 I wash G3538 thee G4571 not, G3362 thou hast G2192 no G3756 part G3313 with G3326 me. G1700 Simon G4613 Peter G4074 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 not G3361 my G3450 feet G4228 only, G3440 but G235 also G2532 my hands G5495 and G2532 my head. G2776 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 to him, G846 He that is washed G3068 needeth G5532 not G3756 G2192 save G2228 to wash G3538 his feet, G4228 but G235 is G2076 clean G2513 every whit: G3650 and G2532 ye G5210 are G2075 clean, G2513 but G235 not G3780 all. G3956 For G1063 he knew G1492 who G3588 should betray G3860 him; G846 therefore G5124 G1223 said he, G2036 Ye are G2075 not G3780 all G3956 clean. G2513 So G3767 after G3753 he had washed G3538 their G846 feet, G4228 and G2532 had taken G2983 his G846 garments, G2440 and was set down G377 again, G3825 he said G2036 unto them, G846 Know ye G1097 what G5101 I have done G4160 to you? G5213 Ye G5210 call G5455 me G3165 Master G1320 and G2532 Lord: G2962 and G2532 ye say G3004 well; G2573 for G1063 so I am. G1510 If G1487 I G1473 then, G3767 your Lord G2962 and G2532 Master, G1320 have washed G3538 your G5216 feet; G4228 ye G5210 also G2532 ought G3784 to wash G3538 one another's G240 feet. G4228

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Revelation 7

Commentary on Revelation 7 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 7

The things contained in this chapter came in after the opening of the six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world; and before the sound of the seven trumpets, which gave notice of great corruptions arising in the church: between these comes in this comfortable chapter, which secures the graces and comforts of the people of God in times of common calamity. We have,

  • I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds (v. 1-3).
  • II. The sealing of the servants of God (v. 4-8).
  • III. The songs of angels and saints on this occasion (v. 9-12).
  • IV. A description of the honour and happiness of those who had faithfully served Christ, and suffered for him (v. 13-17).

Rev 7:1-12

Here we have,

  • I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds. By these winds we suppose are meant those errors and corruptions in religion which would occasion a great deal of trouble and mischief to the church of God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind: here the spirits of error are compared to the four winds, contrary one to another, but doing much hurt to the church, the garden and vineyard of God, breaking the branches and blasting the fruits of his plantation. The devil is called the prince of the power of the air; he, by a great wind, overthrew the house of Job's eldest son. Errors are as wind, by which those who are unstable are shaken, and carried to and fro, Eph. 4:14. Observe,
    • 1. These are called the winds of the earth, because they blow only in these lower regions near the earth; heaven is always clear and free from them.
    • 2. They are restrained by the ministry of angels, standing on the four corners of the earth, intimating that the spirit of error cannot go forth till God permits it, and that the angels minister to the good of the church by restraining its enemies.
    • 3. Their restraint was only for a season, and that was till the servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. God has a particular care and concern for his own servants in times of temptation and corruption, and he has a way to secure them from the common infection; he first establishes them, and then he tries them; he has the timing of their trials in his own hand.
  • II. An account of the sealing of the servants of God, where observe,
    • 1. To whom this work was committed-to an angel, another angel. While some of the angels were employed to restrain Satan and his agents, another angel was employed to mark out and distinguish the faithful servants of God.
    • 2. How they were distinguished-the seal of God was set upon their foreheads, a seal known to him, and as plain as if it appeared in their foreheads; by this mark they were set apart for mercy and safety in the worst of times.
    • 3. The number of those that were sealed, where observe,
      • (1.) A particular account of those that were sealed of the twelve tribes of Israel-twelve thousand out of every tribe, the whole sum amounting to a hundred and forty-four thousand. In this list the tribe of Dan is omitted, perhaps because they were greatly addicted to idolatry; and the order of the tribes is altered, perhaps according as they had been more or less faithful to God. Some take these to be a select number of the Jews who were reserved for mercy at the destruction of Jerusalem; others think that time was past, and therefore it is to be more generally applied to God's chosen remnant in the world; but, if the destruction of Jerusalem was not yet over (and I think it is hard to prove that it was), it seems more proper to understand this of the remnant of that people which God had reserved according to the election of grace, only here we have a definite number for an indefinite.
      • (2.) A general account of those who were saved out of other nations (v. 9): A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. Though these are not said to be sealed, yet they were selected by God out of all nations, and brought into his church, and there stood before the throne. Observe,
        • [1.] God will have a greater harvest of souls among the Gentiles than he had among the Jews. More are the children of the desolate than of the married woman.
        • [2.] The Lord knows who are his, and he will keep them safe in times of dangerous temptation.
        • [3.] Though the church of God is but a little flock, in comparison of the wicked world, yet it is no contemptible society, but really large and to be still more enlarged.
  • III. We have the songs of saints and angels on this occasion, v. 9-12, where observe,
    • 1. The praises offered up by the saints (and, as it seems to me, by the Gentile believers) for the care of God in reserving so large a remnant of the Jews, and saving them from infidelity and destruction. The Jewish church prayed for the Gentiles before their conversion, and the Gentile churches have reason to bless God for his distinguishing mercy to so many of the Jews, when the rest were cut off. Here observe,
      • (1.) The posture of these praising saints: they stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, before the Creator and the Mediator. In acts of religious worship we come nigh to God, and are to conceive ourselves as in his special presence; and we must come to God by Christ. The throne of God would be inaccessible to sinners were it not for a Mediator.
      • (2.) Their habit: they were clothed with white robes, and had palms in their hands; they were invested with the robes of justification, holiness, and victory, and 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.
      • (3.) Their employment: they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. This may be understood either as a hosannah, wishing well to the interest of God and Christ in the church and in the world, or as a hallelujah, giving to God and the Lamb the praise of the great salvation; both the Father and the Son are joined together in these praises; the Father contrived this salvation, the Son purchased it, and those who enjoy it must and will bless the Lord and the Lamb, and they will do it publicly, and with becoming fervour.
    • 2. Here is the song of the angels (v. 11, 12), where observe,
      • (1.) Their station-before the throne of God, attending on him, and about the saints, ready to serve them.
      • (2.) Their posture, which is very humble, and expressive of the greatest reverence: They fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Behold the most excellent of all the creatures, who never sinned, who are before him continually, not only covering their faces, but falling down on their faces before the Lord! What humility then, and what profound reverence, become us vile frail creatures, when we come into the presence of God! We should fall down before him; there should be both a reverential frame of spirit and a humble behaviour in all our addresses to God
      • (3.) Their praises. They consented to the praises of the saints, said their Amen thereto; there is in heaven a perfect harmony between the angels and saints; and then they added more of their own, saying, Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Here,
        • [1.] They acknowledge the glorious attributes of God-his wisdom, his power, and his might.
        • [2.] They declare that for these his divine perfections he ought to be blessed, and praised, and glorified, to all eternity; and they confirm it by their Amen. We see what is the work of heaven, and we ought to begin it now, to get our hearts tuned for it, to be much in it, and to long for that world where our praises, as well as happiness, will be perfected.

Rev 7:13-17

Here we have a description of the honour and happiness of those who have faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and suffered for him. Observe,

  • I. A question asked by one of the elders, not for his own information, but for John's instruction: ministers may learn from the people, especially from aged and experienced Christians; the lowest saint in heaven knows more than the greatest apostle in the world. Now the question has two parts:-
    • 1. What are these that are arrayed in white robes?
    • 2. Whence came they? It seems to be spoken by way of admiration, as Cant. 3:6, Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness! Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright.
  • II. The answer returned by the apostle, in which he tacitly acknowledges his own ignorance, and sues to this elder for information: Thou knowest. Those who would gain knowledge must not be ashamed to own their ignorance, nor to desire instruction from any that are able to give it.
  • III. The account given to the apostle concerning that noble army of martyrs who stood before the throne of God in white robes, with palms of victory in their hands: and notice is taken here of,
    • 1. The low and desolate state they had formerly been in; they had been in great tribulation, persecuted by men, tempted by Satan, sometimes troubled in their own spirits; they had suffered the spoiling of their goods, the imprisonment of their persons, yea, the loss of life itself. The way to heaven lies through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation, when gone through well, will make heaven more welcome and more glorious.
    • 2. The means by which they had been prepared for the great honour and happiness they now enjoyed: they had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, v. 14. It is not the blood of the martyrs themselves, 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.
    • 3. The blessedness to which they are now advanced, being thus prepared for it.
      • (1.) They are happy in their station, for they are before the throne of God night and day; and he dwells among them; they are in that presence where there is fulness of joy.
      • (2.) They are happy in their employment, for they serve God continually, and that without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness. 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.
      • (3.) They are happy in their freedom from all the inconveniences of this present life.
        • [1.] From all want and sense of want: They hunger and thirst no more; all their wants are supplied, and all the uneasiness caused thereby is removed.
        • [2.] From all sickness and pain: they shall never be scorched by the heat of the sun any more.
      • (4.) They are happy in the love and guidance of the Lord Jesus: He shall feed them, he shall lead them to living fountains of waters, he shall put them into the possession of every thing that is pleasant and refreshing to their souls, and therefore they shall hunger and thirst no more.
      • (5.) They are happy in being delivered from all sorrow or occasion of it: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. They have formerly had their sorrows, and shed many tears, both upon the account of sin and affliction; but God himself, with his own gentle and gracious hand, will wipe those tears away, and they shall return no more for ever; and they would not have been without those tears, when God comes to wipe them away. In this he deals with them as a tender father who finds his beloved child in tears, he comforts him, he wipes his eyes, and turns his sorrow into rejoicing. This should moderate the Christian's sorrow in his present state, and support him under all the troubles of it; for those that sow in tears shall reap in joy; and those that now go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.