Revelation 7:1

¶ 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.

And {G2532} after {G3326} these things {G5023} I saw {G1492} four {G5064} angels {G32} standing {G2476} on {G1909} the four {G5064} corners {G1137} of the earth {G1093}, holding {G2902} the four {G5064} winds {G417} of the earth {G1093}, that {G3363} the wind {G417} should {G4154} not {G3363} blow {G4154} on {G1909} the earth {G1093}, nor {G3383} on {G1909} the sea {G2281}, nor {G3383} on {G1909} any {G3956} tree {G1186}.

After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the land, on the sea or on any tree.

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree.

Revelation 7:1 introduces a significant interlude in John's apocalyptic vision, following the dramatic events of the sixth seal in Revelation 6. This verse depicts a crucial moment of divine control, where destructive forces are held back before further judgments are unleashed.

Context

Immediately after the terrifying cosmic disturbances and the plea of humanity to hide from the wrath of God and the Lamb described in Revelation 6, Chapter 7 opens with a pause. This chapter serves as a divine intermission, shifting focus from the unfolding judgments to God's care and protection for His people. The scene in Revelation 7:1 sets the stage for the sealing of the 144,000 and the vision of the great multitude, indicating a temporary delay in the final outpouring of God's wrath.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The most prominent theme is God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, even over the forces of destruction. Four angels are depicted as merely agents, subject to a higher command, holding back the impending devastation. This reassures believers that chaos is never outside God's control.
  • Delay of Judgment: The "holding" of the winds signifies a deliberate pause in the sequence of judgments. This delay is not arbitrary but purposeful, allowing for a divine act of identification and protection of God's servants before the full fury of His wrath is released.
  • Protection of God's People: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent verses (Revelation 7:2-3) clarify that the purpose of this delay is for the sealing of God's servants on their foreheads. This highlights God's protective nature amidst tribulation.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Four corners of the earth": This is an ancient idiom, common in both biblical and ancient Near Eastern literature, signifying the entirety or universality of the earth (North, South, East, West), rather than a literal flat earth with corners. It emphasizes that the angels are positioned to control forces affecting the whole world.
  • "Four winds of the earth": In biblical symbolism, winds often represent powerful, sometimes destructive, forces or divine judgments (Jeremiah 49:36, Daniel 7:2). Their being "held" indicates a temporary restraint on these forces of devastation—be it literal winds, natural disasters, or the spiritual forces of chaos and war—by divine decree.

Practical Application

Revelation 7:1 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today. It reminds us that even in times of global turmoil, economic uncertainty, or natural disasters, God remains firmly in control. No destructive force can act without His permission or outside His divine timing. This verse encourages us to trust in God's meticulous plan, knowing that He has a purpose for every delay and a protective hand over His faithful servants, even amidst prophecies of future judgments. It underscores the truth that God's grace always precedes His judgment, offering a window for His people to be secured.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 24:31

    And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

  • Daniel 7:2

    Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

  • Jeremiah 49:36

    And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

  • Mark 13:27

    And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

  • Daniel 8:8

    Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

  • Ezekiel 37:9

    Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

  • Ezekiel 7:2

    Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

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