Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 7:1 - 7:1
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Rev_7:1. τέσσαρας ἀγγέλους . We must here think neither of wicked angels,[2246] nor of angels of the wind, after the analogy of the angel of the water, Rev_16:5,[2247] but of angels in general, to whom the office here described has been given, Rev_7:2,[2248] just as angels afterwards appear with trumpets and vials. Without any foundation are the allegorical interpretations, as in Beda,[2249] and N. de Lyra, who proposes Maximian, Severus, Maxentius, and Licinius,[2250] while the other angel, Rev_7:2, is regarded as Constantine.
ἑστῶτας
γῆς . The position of the angels corresponds with their occupation: κρατοῦντας
γῆς . The four corners of the earth ( τὰς τέσσ . γών , τοὺς τέσσ . ἀν .) are the points from which the four winds of the earth go forth.[2251] John beholds the four angels as they still hold the winds,[2252] to prevent them from blowing ( ἽΝΑ ΜῊ ΠΝΈῌ ἈΝ ., Κ . Τ . Λ .); but according to what immediately follows, the situation is such that the angels are ready to let loose the winds as soon as the purpose of the other angel, who is already rising up (Rev_7:2 sqq.), is accomplished.
If also “the four winds of the earth” be interpreted allegorically, although the expression sounds as unallegorical as possible,—of which examples have just been given,—then also the earth, the sea, and the trees must be understood figuratively. For thus Grot, says on Τ . Γῆς : “viz., Judaea;” on ἈΝΈΜΟΥς : “The winds signify any sort of calamity.” The “sea” is “a great people, such as is that of Jerusalem especially;” the trees designate “what come from trees, as cities, but especially the temple:” in general, the times of peace under King Agrippa are meant. Böhmer regards the “earth” as Jews, the “sea” as heathen; therefore he says that the Christians still to be mentioned are designated by the “trees.” According to Beng., the earth is Asia, the sea Europe, the trees Africa. Hengstenb. also regards “the four winds of the earth” as symbols of the Divine judgments, viz., those described in ch. 6; the “sea” designates masses of people; the “trees” are magnates, Rev_6:15.
But every kind of allegorizing is without the least foundation in the text. The winds which in their proper naturalness are, besides, expressly designated as “the four winds of the earth,” are not once personified here, as in Zec_6:1 sqq.,—where, however, what is said dare not be taken as an allegory in the strict sense,—but as in Rev_6:4 an actual shedding of blood, and in Rev_6:12 an actual earthquake, so here actual winds are meant, storms which are to have the mastery of the whole earth, as they are also ready to break loose from all four ends of the earth. But in the fact, that, after the dreadful signs of the sixth seal have led immediately to the day of the final judgment, now—as the description of this judgment is to be expected in the seventh, last seal—a visitation of like character, as in the sixth seal, is again set forth, and its infliction restrained until after the sealing of the servants of God from Israel, the intimation is already given that the actual occurrence of the final catastrophe will not be until after the course of a still further manifestation of preliminary afflictions, as they proceed from the seventh seal in long and connected sequence.[2253]
[2246] Aret., Zeger, Laun., Calov., Beng., Rinck, etc.
[2247] Alcas., C. a Lap., Stern, Heinr., Züll., De Wette.
[2248] Vitr., Ewald, Hengstenb., Ebrard.
[2249] τέσσ . άγγ . = “the four principal kingdoms of the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans;” κρατ . τ . ἀνεμ . = “They allow no one to breathe according to the pleasure of his own right;” γῆ = “diversity of provinces;” δένδρ .: “diverse quality of men.”
[2250] “Hindering the doctors of the Church from preaching the word of God.” Cf. similar interpretations of κρατ . τ . τεσσ . ἀνέμ .; e.g., in Aret., who regards the wicked angels as the Pope, the Turks, etc.
[2251] Cf. Jer_49:36; Zec_6:1 sqq.; Dan_7:2.
[2252] κρατ . Cf. Rev_2:1, Rev_3:11.
[2253] Cf. Introduction, p. 12 sqq.