Re 7:1
7:1 And {1} after these things I saw four angels standing on the
    {a} 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, {2} nor on any tree.

 (1) The second part of this section is a preventing of danger,
     as we distinguished before in Re 6:1 that is, of
     the caution of God ahead of time to provide for his, after
     the example of the Israelites; Ex 8:23 the faithful
     are exempted from the plagues of this wicked world. This
     section is a dialogue and bringing in for this whole
     chapter by occasion of the prediction and argument of the
     sixth seal.  For first harm is withheld from the elect,
     Re 7:1-9.  Then thanks are given by the elect for that
     cause Re 7:10-12.  Lastly, the accomplishment of it
     is set forth to the end of the chapter.  The first verse is
     a transition, speaking of the angels who keep the lesser
     parts from harm, until God commands.  For, as in
     Eze 10:19, their faces and their wings reach up,
     continually waiting on and watching the countenance of God
     for their direction and every one of them goes into that
     part that is right before his face: wherever the Spirit
     goes, they go, they do not step out of the way, not so much
     as a foot breadth from the path commanded to them by God.
    (a) On the four corners or coasts of the earth.
 (2) That is, neither into the air, into which the trees grow.

Re 7:2
7:2 {3} And I saw {4} 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) Now God provides against the danger of his elect, by his
     commandment Re 7:2,3, and by sign or figure, both
     for those of the nation of the Jews and also for the
     Gentiles Re 7:9.
 (4) Not only another, or differing number from the common
     angels of God, but also in essence, office and operation
     exceeding all angels: that is, Christ Jesus the eternal
     angel or Word of God, and mediator of the covenant, see
     Re 8:3,10:1,5.

Re 7:4
7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there
    were] sealed {5} an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand
    of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

 (5) That is, of the Jews a number certain in itself before God,
     and such as may be numbered of us: for which cause also the
     same is here set down as certain.  But of the elect who are
     Gentiles, the number indeed is in itself certain with God,
     but of us not possibly to be numbered, as God, Ge 15:5.
     This is spoken with respect, when a certain number is put for
     one uncertain.  Compare with Re 7:9.

Re 7:7
7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand. {6} Of
    the tribe of {b} Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the
    tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand.

 (6) Here the tribe of Levi is listed with the rest, because all
     the Israelites were equally made priests with them in
     Christ by his priesthood Ro 12:1 1Pe 2:9 Re 1:6, 5:10.
     Dan is not mentioned, because the Danites long before
     forsaking the worship of God, were fallen away from the
     fellowship of God's people, to the part of the Gentiles:
     which evil many ages before Jacob foresaw Ge 49:17
     \\see Geneva "Ge 49:18"\\, and because of which no mention
     is made of this tribe in the book of Chronicles.
    (b) He skipped Dan, and reckons Levi.

Re 7:8
7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of
    the tribe of {c} Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of
    the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.

    (c) Of Ephraim, who was Joseph's other son, and had the
        birthright given him, of which he is called Joseph.

Re 7:9
7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, {7} which
    no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and
    people, and tongues, {8} stood before the throne, and before
    the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their
    hands;

 (7) \\See Geneva "Re 7:4"\\
 (8) As priests, kings and glorious conquerors by martyrdom:
     which is noted by the signs in this verse.

Re 7:10
7:10 {9} And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our
     God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

 (9) The praise of God, celebrated first by the holy men, in
     this verse, then by the heavenly angels, in the two verses
     following Re 7:11,12.

Re 7:13
7:13 {10} And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What
     are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came
     they?

 (10) A passage over to the explanation of the vision, which the
      angel enquires of John to stir him up in this verse and
      John in the form of speech, both acknowledges his own
      ignorance, attributing knowledge to the angel, and also in
      a humble manner requests the explanation of the vision.

Re 7:14
7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
     {11} These are they which came out of great tribulation,
     and have washed their robes, and made them white in the
     blood of the Lamb.

 (11) The explanation of the vision, in which the angel tells
      first the acts of the saints, that is, their sufferings
      and work of faith in Christ Jesus, in this verse.
      Secondly their glory: both present, which consists in two
      things, that they minister to God, and that God protects
      them Re 7:15 and to come, in their perfect
      deliverance from all annoyances Re 7:16 and in
      participation of all good things which the memory of past
      hurts shall never be able to diminish Re 7:17.  The
      cause efficient and which contains all these things is
      only one, the Lamb of God, the Lord, the Mediator, and the
      Saviour Christ Jesus.

Re 7:15
7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him
     {d} day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the
     throne shall dwell {e} among them.

     (d) He alludes to the Levites, who served day and night,
         for there is no night in heaven.
     (e) Or, upon them, referring to God's defence and protection
         of those who are as safe, as men in the Lord's tents.