Notes on the book of Revelations/Chapter 7
The four winds blowing on the earth and sea, shew the disorder and tumult of the spirit of nations. Here, not merely on the sea, wherefrom, consequent on it, Daniel saw the four great beasts or kingdoms emerge; but on the earth, here, because there was already a settled and ordered system which was affected by them as well as the mass of unformed nations—the sea.
This was arrested till it was shewn how effectual the word of God had been in spite of opposition.
The seals, as well as the trumpets, and, perhaps, I might add, the vials, are divided into four and three. The four beasts call to see the consequences of opening the first four seals. The three last have their own special character. The division of the trumpets is well known; the three last being woe-trumpets. The seven churches are divided into three and four, by the different position of the pro- mise and warning to all that have ears to ear. I think it will be found that no repentance is proposed to the Church after the first three.
Looked at in the light of the sustaining power and attributes of providential rule, the call of the four living creatures is very intelligible.
Taking the interpretation now, according to the protracted course of Divine Government, the first four seals would be the history of the empire. I hold a horse to be the symbol of imperial or royal power in exercise; and such would be God’s account of the course of the empire then existing. If it be asked, What avails this to the saint? I answer, Everything:—to know that all passes under the eye and knowledge of God. This Lion, in whose mouth they were, had his days and ways all numbered and ordered of the Lord; and they were, indeed, in union with him who governed, though they might suffer with Him. The understanding of this place of patience, was, and to us is, of the very last importance.
In the fifth seal we have the estimate of those who had suffered during this period, graciously taken notice of, although it had been enough to have shewn all was ordered; but it comes out here that many had been killed. Their place is ordered. This was not the last persecution. The sixth seal has occasioned great difficulty. I admit the application of all this to an ulterior period, if “the things that are” are taken as the whole dispensation, which I recognise; but it is not the simplest interpretation, nor is the application always so minute, though true.
There was a great earthquake,[1] and the ruling powers shaken, convulsions of the prophetic earth, And dislocations of its governing powers;[2] and to strengthen the saints, the consequence is shewn.
- ↑ In the crisis, I do not believe it to be the judgment of Antichrist at all, but that subversion of Satan’s power in the heavens, and consequent complete subversion and revolution of all the foundation and elements of all political arrangement and power, which are spoken of as preceding the day of the Lord, for the sources of power in the heavens must be changed before the day of the Lord come, though Satan may be raging upon earth; against whose earthly doings, and upon them, the day may come (see Joel ii.; Mark xiii. 24, 25). The extent and importance of this revolution in the heavens, I believe not to be ordinarily sufficiently attended to. The earth may have been often shaken, and have reverted to its course, because the heavens are not ; but where the heavens are, the sources of power are changed, and the enemy cast out; and he never regains that place, though, when loose, he may still act in opposition—fruitless opposition—on earth; for then judgment is come, the heavens being so established and ruling.
- ↑ The application of symbols, literally, seems to me to be very false in principle and a very unsuitable mode of interpretation. It is the denial that they are symbols. I believe the language of symbols as definite as any other, and always used in the same sense, as much as language is.