Vincent's Word Studies And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. These things (ταῦτα)
Read τοῦτο this. Holding (κρατοῦντας) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. East (ἀνατολῆς ἡλίου)
Rev., more literally, the sunrising. See on Matthew 2:2; see on Luke 1:78. Compare Ezekiel 43:2. The four angels Compare Matthew 24:31. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. In their foreheads
Compare Exodus 28:36-38; Ezekiel 9:4. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. An hundred and forty and four thousand
Not literally, but the number symbolical of fixedness and full completion (12 x 12). The interpretations, as usual, vary greatly, dividing generally into two great classes: one holding that only Jews are meant, the other including the whole number of the elect both Jew and Gentile. Of the former class some regard the sealed as representing Jewish believers chosen out of the literal Israel. Others add to this the idea of these as forming the nucleus of glorified humanity to which the Gentiles are joined. Others again regard them as Jews reserved by God until Antichrist comes, to maintain in the bosom of their nation a true belief in Jehovah and His law, like the seven thousand in the days of Elijah. The interpretation of the latter class seems entitled to the greater weight. According to the Apocalyptic usage, Jewish terms are "christianized and heightened in their meaning, and the word "Israel" is to be understood of all Christians, the blessed company of all faithful people, the true Israel of God." See Romans 2:28, Romans 2:29; Romans 9:6, Romans 9:7; Galatians 6:16; Philippians 3:3. The city of God, which includes all believers, is designated by the Jewish name, New Jerusalem. In Revelation 7:3, the sealed are designated generally as the servants of God. In chapter 14 the one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed are mentioned after the description of the enemies of Christ, who have reference to the whole Church of Christ; and the mention of the sealed is followed by the world-wide harvest and vintage of the earth. The one hundred and forty-four thousand in chapter 14, have the Father's name written in their foreheads; and in Revelation 22:4, all the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem are so marked. In Revelation 21:12, the twelve tribes include all believers. The mark of Satan which is in the forehead, is set upon all his servants without distinction of race. See Revelation 13:16, Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4. The plagues threaten both Jews and Gentiles, as the sealing protects all. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Isaw
This vision belongs to heaven, while the sealing took place on earth. Arrayed (περιβεβλημένοι) See on Revelation 3:5. Robes See on Revelation 6:11. "The ancient scriptures and the new The mark establish, and this shows it me, Of all the souls whom God hath made His friends. Isaiah saith that each one garmented In His own land shall be with twofold garments, And his own land is this delightful life. Thy brother, too, far more explicitly, continued... And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Cried
The correct reading is κράζουσιν they cry. So Rev. Salvation The praise of salvation, ascribing salvation to God. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Stood (ἑστήκεσαν)
Rev., more correctly, were standing. The tense is the pluperfect, used in this verb as an imperfect. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. Blessing, etc.
On the doxologies, see on Revelation 1:6. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Answered
In the sense of taking up speech in connection with some given occasion, as Matthew 11:25. See also on John 2:18. What are these, etc. The Rev., properly, follows the Greek order, which places first "These which are arrayed in the white robes, who are they?" emphatic and indicating the natural order of the thought as it presents itself to the inquirer. For what, render who, as Rev. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; I said (εἴρηκα)
Lit., I have said. Rev., renders by the present, I say. See on cried, John 1:15. Sir (κύριε) Add μου my, and render, as Rev., my Lord. An address of reverence as to a heavenly being. See on Matthew 21:3. Which came (οἱ ἐρχόμενοι) The present participle. Hence, as Rev., which come. Out of great tribulation (ἐκ τῆς θλίψεως τῆς μεγάλης) Lit., out of the tribulation, the great (tribulation). Rev., properly, gives the force of the article, "the great." See on Matthew 13:21. Have washed (ἔπλυναν) The aorist tense. Rev., correctly, they washed. Only here and Luke 5:2, on which see note. For the New Testament words for washing, see on Acts 16:33. Made them white Compare Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7; Mark 9:3. Milligan remarks that robes are the expression of character, and compares the word habit used of dress. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Therefore
Because of this washing. Before the throne Compare Ephesians 5:27. Serve (λατρεύουσιν) See on Luke 1:74. In scripture the verb never expresses any other service but that of the true God, or of the gods of heathenism. Temple (ναῷ) Or sanctuary. See on Matthew 4:5. Dwell (σκηνώσει) From σκηνή a tent or tabernacle. Hence better, as Rev., shall spread His tabernacle. See on John 1:14, and compare Leviticus 26:11; Isaiah 4:5, Isaiah 4:6; Ezekiel 37:27. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? They shall hunger no more, etc. Compare Isaiah 49:10. Heat (καῦμα) In Isaiah 49:10, the word καύσων the scorching wind or sirocco is used. See on Matthew 20:12; see on James 1:11. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
