Thoughts on the Revelation.
THE sixth chapter of the Revelation closes with the sixth seal. The entire seventh chapter, in which the sealing of the 144000 is introduced, is parenthetically brought in between the sixth seal and the seventh, mentioned in chap. viii, 1. Why is this? Answer. Because the sealing, and the events connected therewith, take place after the fulfillment of the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, of the sixth seal. This is evidence that the sealing of the 144000 is between the opening of the sixth seal and the seventh. Verses 1-3. 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. 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, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. On the above we briefly comment as follows: 1. The four angels we understand to be four of those heavenly messengers which excel in strength, into whose hands God has given the control of the four winds. 2. The four corners of the earth may refer to the four points of the compass, embracing the whole. 3. The four winds represent the elements of political strife and war. 4. To the four angels it is given to hurt, as well as to hold. 5. The hurting, by the blowing of the four winds, relates only to the results of war. See Dan. vii, 2; Jer. xxv, 32, 33. The seven last plagues constitute no part of it, as they are given into the hands of seven angels, chap. xv, 1, 6, 7; xvi, 1; xxi, 9, and this work into the hands of four. 6. The ascending angel represents a special message; and as his work comes in after the signs of the second advent of Christ, mentioned under the sixth seal, the conclusion is natural that the sealing angel also represents the work of the third message of chap. xiv, 9-12. 7. The seal of the living God, as shown in another article in this number of the Review, is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. 8. The angel bearing the seal ascends from the rising of the sun. Whiting's translation. We do not suppose that locality is here meant; but that the message, represented by the ascending angel, would come up like the rising sun. The rays of the morning sun seem powerless. As it rises its heat increases until it reaches the heat and dazzling power of the noon-day sun. The third message, bearing on its front the Sabbath of the Lord, arose in obscurity, its first teachers being penniless, uneducated men, and the positions taken by them were exceedingly unpopular and crossing. But the work has gradually moved on, gaining strength by every effort put forth by its true friends, and its future power, light, and glory, are symbolized in chap. xviii, 1-5. 9. Let it be observed that the sealing is in the same territory as the hurting by the blowing of the four winds. This is seen in the fact that the four angels are invoked not to hurt till the servants of God are sealed. This scene at present applies to our own country. To apply the hurting to the French Revolution of 1848, and the Crimean war of 1854, and then locate the sealing work in North America, is absurd. Here, in our own land, the hands of the four angels seem loosening, and the winds of war and strife are blowing. Should this war continue and increase, the proclamation of the third message would be seriously hindered. Already our brethren in several States have been forced to suspend tent labor in consequence of the military excitement. 10. The blowing of the four winds hurts the earth, the sea, and the trees. The present war threatens to seriously affect the agricultural interests of our country, Joel iii, 9, 10, also the naval. Again we see the hurting of the earth, the sea, and the trees, in the destruction of property by the land forces, and by the navy. While this work goes on, thousands are called into the army who would otherwise listen, at least, to the voice of truth; and those who remain at home are to such a degree excited as to the welfare of their sons, husbands, and brothers, in the service, and their country, that they are unprepared to listen to, and investigate, the great facts of the message. 11. There must be a time of comparative peace in which the sealing work will be accomplished. How soon that will be—how far the Southern rebellion will be pushed to fury, and the North rise in its strength and greatness—to what extent military movements are to hinder the proclamation of the message in this and other countries—is known only to Him who has the destiny of nations in his hands. It may be the purpose of God to humble the nation, and greatly humble his people, that in the time of peace they may readily receive the message, and in unity and love obey it. The hurting angels hold the four winds that the servants of God may be sealed. When a time of comparative peace shall come, then will the sealing work move on, in earnest. The message will forget its feebleness, and will swell into the loud cry. Verses 4-8. And I heard the number of them which were sealed, and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of 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 Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. Some do not see how those of the twelve tribes can be sealed in our time. We inquire, Is it not as difficult for them to see why James should address his epistle to the twelve tribes and call them his brethren; chap. i, 12, or why the names of the twelve tribes should be on the twelve gates of the New-earth city? Rev. xxi, 12. Paul's figure of grafting, Rom. xi, may help them to see how these things can be. The tame olive tree represents believing Israel. The twelve branches were broken off because of unbelief. Through faith in Christ the wild olive cions are grafted into the tame olive stocks, and thus the twelve tribes are perpetuated. We now look in vain for anything on the earth to plant out the distinct tribes of the Israel of God. Let us look up to heaven, where the work of organizing the great army of heaven is going on. There is the city on whose gates are the names of the twelve tribes. That is not a Jewish, but Christian, city, for in its foundations are the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. There is the sanctuary, and service, and records of all who are grafted into the great olive tree of the faithful, in twelve grand divisions. A soldier belongs to company A., of such a regiment, of such a division, of such an army. Here is but a faint representative of the order of the organization of the great army of heaven during the present dispensation, which in the immortal state will stand upon the sea of glass, and in twelve vast columns march through the twelve gates into the city of God. Verses 9-12. After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which siteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. This vast company are probably the saved from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue, raised from the dead at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Verses 13-17. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, 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 day and night in his temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Here, we think attention is again called to the 144,000. It is said of these that they came out of great tribulation, which, probably, could not be said of all who have a part in the resurrection of the just at the second coming of Christ. Those who suffer with Christ will reign with him. All who possess pure Christianity will suffer either mental or physical agony; but this falls below the great tribulation of the 144,000. These will know most by experience of the sufferings of Christ, hence are represented as being nearest to the slain Lamb. They will be to him a special treasure. These will be next to the throne. The Lamb shall lead them. In chapter xiv, 4, they are spoken of, after their redemption, as following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.