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英文原文
The things contained in this chapter came in after the opening of the six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world; and before the sound of the seven trumpets, which gave notice of great corruptions arising in the church: between these comes in this comfortable chapter, which secures the graces and comforts of the people of God in times of common calamity. We have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds, Re 7:1-3. II. The sealing of the servants of God, Re 7:4-8. III. The songs of angels and saints on this occasion, Re 7:9-12. IV. A description of the honour and happiness of those who had faithfully served Christ, and suffered for him, Re 7:13-17, etc.
1-12
The Vision of Heaven (95 AD)
天上的异象（公元95年）
¹ 此后，我看见四位天使站在地的四角，执掌地上四方的风，叫风不吹在地上、海上，和树上。
² 我又看见另有一位天使，从日出之地上来，拿着永生神的印。他就向那得着权柄能伤害地和海的四位天使大声喊着说：
³ 「地与海并树木，你们不可伤害，等我们印了我们神众仆人的额。」
⁴ 我听见以色列人各支派中受印的数目有十四万四千：
⁵ 犹大支派中受印的有一万二千；流便支派中有一万二千；迦得支派中有一万二千；
⁶ 亚设支派中有一万二千；拿弗他利支派中有一万二千；玛拿西支派中有一万二千；
⁷ 西缅支派中有一万二千；利未支派中有一万二千；以萨迦支派中有一万二千；
⁸ 西布伦支派中有一万二千；约瑟支派中有一万二千；便雅悯支派中受印的有一万二千。
⁹ 此后，我观看，见有许多的人，没有人能数过来，是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的，站在宝座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣，手拿棕树枝，
¹⁰ 大声喊着说：「愿救恩归与坐在宝座上我们的神，也归与羔羊！」
¹¹ 众天使都站在宝座和众长老并四活物的周围，在宝座前，面伏于地，敬拜神，
¹² 说：「阿们！颂赞、荣耀、智慧、感谢、尊贵、权柄、大力都归与我们的神，直到永永远远。阿们！」
这里我们看见：一、关于风被禁止的记述。这些风我们认为是预表宗教上的那些错谬与败坏，它们会给神的教会带来许多麻烦与祸患。有时圣灵被比作风：这里错谬之灵被比作「四方之风」，彼此相逆，却对教会——神的园囿与葡萄园——大加伤害，折断枝子，毁坏他所栽植的果子。魔鬼被称为「空中掌权者的首领」；他借一阵狂风倾覆了约伯长子的房屋。错谬如风，使那些不坚固的人被摇动，「飘来飘去」（弗 4:14）。请注意：1. 这些被称为「地上的风」，因为它们只吹在地附近的这些低层之处；天上始终晴朗无风。2. 它们被天使的职事所禁止，「站在地的四角」，表明错谬之灵非经神许可不能发出，也表明天使借着禁止教会的仇敌而服事教会的益处。3. 他们被禁止只是暂时的，那就是「等我们印了我们神众仆人的额」。神在试炼与败坏的时代对他自己的仆人有特别的看顾与关切，他也有法子保守他们免受普遍的沾染；他先坚固他们，然后才试炼他们；他试炼的时候掌握在自己手中。
二、关于神众仆人受印的记述。请注意：1. 这工作交托给谁——交托给一位天使，「另有一位天使」。当有些天使受差禁止撒但及其差役时，另有一位天使受差分别并标明神忠心的仆人。2. 他们如何被分别——神的印印在他们额上，这是他所认识的印，明显如同显在他们额上一般；借着这记号，他们在最恶劣的时代被分别出来，归于怜悯与安全。3. 受印之人的数目。请注意：(1) 关于以色列十二支派中受印者的具体记述——每支派一万二千人，总数共计「十四万四千」。在这名单中，但支派被略去，也许因为他们大大陷入拜偶像之罪；支派的次序也有所改变，也许是按他们向神或忠或不忠的程度而排列。有人认为这是指为怜悯而保留、直到耶路撒冷毁灭时仍存留的一班犹太人；也有人认为那时已过，因此当更普遍地应用于神在世上所选召的余民；然而，若耶路撒冷的毁灭尚未过去（而我认为难以证明已过），则将此理解为民中神按恩典的拣选所保留的余民，似乎更为合宜；只是此处以确定的数目代表不确定的数目。(2) 关于从其他国家中得救之人的概括记述（启 7:9）：「许多的人，没有人能数过来，是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的。」这些人虽未说是受了印，却是神从各国中选召出来的，被带进他的教会，并站在宝座前。请注意：[1.] 神要在外邦人中收割的灵魂，比在犹太人中所收割的更多。「不怀胎不生养的，比那有丈夫的儿女更多。」[2.] 主认识谁是他的人，他要在危险试炼之时保守他们安全。[3.] 神的教会与那恶毒的世界相比，虽只是一小群，却不是可轻看的群体，实在人数众多，并且还要更加增多。
三、我们看见圣徒与天使在此场合所唱的诗歌，启 7:9-12。请注意：
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圣徒（在我看来，特别指外邦信徒）所献上的赞美，为着神在保留如此多犹太余民、救他们脱离不信与毁灭上所显的看顾。犹太教会在外邦人归信之前为他们祷告，外邦众教会也有理由为神对如此多犹太人所施的分别之怜悯而称颂神——当其余的人被剪除之时。在此请注意：(1) 这些赞美圣徒的姿态：他们「站在宝座前，又站在羔羊前」，站在创造者与中保之前。在宗教敬拜的活动中，我们临近神，并当看自己是在他特别的同在之中；我们也必须借着基督来到神面前。若没有中保，罪人无法抵达神的宝座。(2) 他们的装束：他们「身穿白衣，手拿棕树枝」；他们披上称义、圣洁与得胜的袍子，手拿棕树枝，如同得胜者在凯旋时所显现的模样：这就是神忠心的仆人至终「打过了美好的仗、跑尽了当跑的路」之时所要显现的荣耀模样。(3) 他们的职事：他们「大声喊着说：『愿救恩归与坐在宝座上我们的神，也归与羔羊。』」这可理解为和散那，愿神与基督在教会与世界中的权益亨通；也可理解为哈利路亚，将大救恩的赞美归给神与羔羊；在这些赞美中，父与子同被并举；父设计了这救恩，子买赎了它，那些享受这救恩的人必须也必要称颂主与羔羊，并且他们要公开地、以相称的热忱如此行。
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这里是天使的诗歌（启 7:11,12）。请注意：(1) 他们的岗位——「在神的宝座前」，伺候他，并环绕圣徒，随时服事他们。(2) 他们的姿态，极其谦卑，表达至深的敬畏：「他们在宝座前，面伏于地，敬拜神。」请看那最卓越的受造物，从未犯罪，常在他面前，不仅以翅膀遮脸，更在主前面伏于地！那么我们这些卑微软弱的受造物进到神面前时，当有怎样的谦卑，怎样的深敬畏！我们当俯伏在他面前；在我们一切向神的祈求中，既当有敬畏的心境，也当有谦卑的举止。(3) 他们的赞美。他们赞同圣徒的赞美，向其说「阿们」；在天上，天使与圣徒之间有完全的和谐；然后他们又加上自己的赞美，「说：『颂赞、荣耀、智慧、感谢、尊贵、权柄、大力都归与我们的神，直到永永远远。阿们。』」在此，[1.] 他们承认神荣耀的属性——他的智慧、他的权柄、他的能力。[2.] 他们宣告，因他这些神性的完全，他当受称颂、受赞美、得荣耀，直到永永远远；他们以「阿们」加以印证。我们由此看见天上的工作是什么，我们当如今就开始，调整我们的心以合乎它，多在其中，并切慕那个我们的赞美与福乐同得完全的世界。
英文原文
The Vision of Heaven (95 AD)
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.
² And I saw 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 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
⁴ And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
⁵ Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
⁶ Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
⁷ Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
⁸ Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
⁹ After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
¹⁰ And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
¹¹ And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
¹² Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Here we have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds. By these winds we suppose are meant those errors and corruptions in religion which would occasion a great deal of trouble and mischief to the church of God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind: here the spirits of error are compared to the four winds, contrary one to another, but doing much hurt to the church, the garden and vineyard of God, breaking the branches and blasting the fruits of his plantation. The devil is called the prince of the power of the air; he, by a great wind, overthrew the house of Job's eldest son. Errors are as wind, by which those who are unstable are shaken, and carried to and fro, Eph 4:14. Observe, 1. These are called the winds of the earth, because they blow only in these lower regions near the earth; heaven is always clear and free from them. 2. They are restrained by the ministry of angels, standing on the four corners of the earth, intimating that the spirit of error cannot go forth till God permits it, and that the angels minister to the good of the church by restraining its enemies. 3. Their restraint was only for a season, and that was till the servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. God has a particular care and concern for his own servants in times of temptation and corruption, and he has a way to secure them from the common infection; he first establishes them, and then he tries them; he has the timing of their trials in his own hand.
II. An account of the sealing of the servants of God, where observe, 1. To whom this work was committed—to an angel, another angel. While some of the angels were employed to restrain Satan and his agents, another angel was employed to mark out and distinguish the faithful servants of God. 2. How they were distinguished—the seal of God was set upon their foreheads, a seal known to him, and as plain as if it appeared in their foreheads; by this mark they were set apart for mercy and safety in the worst of times. 3. The number of those that were sealed, where observe, (1.) A particular account of those that were sealed of the twelve tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe, the whole sum amounting to a hundred and forty-four thousand. In this list the tribe of Dan is omitted, perhaps because they were greatly addicted to idolatry; and the order of the tribes is altered, perhaps according as they had been more or less faithful to God. Some take these to be a select number of the Jews who were reserved for mercy at the destruction of Jerusalem; others think that time was past, and therefore it is to be more generally applied to God's chosen remnant in the world; but, if the destruction of Jerusalem was not yet over (and I think it is hard to prove that it was), it seems more proper to understand this of the remnant of that people which God had reserved according to the election of grace, only here we have a definite number for an indefinite. (2.) A general account of those who were saved out of other nations (Re 7:9): A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. Though these are not said to be sealed, yet they were selected by God out of all nations, and brought into his church, and there stood before the throne. Observe, [1.] God will have a greater harvest of souls among the Gentiles than he had among the Jews. More are the children of the desolate than of the married woman. [2.] The Lord knows who are his, and he will keep them safe in times of dangerous temptation. [3.] Though the church of God is but a little flock, in comparison of the wicked world, yet it is no contemptible society, but really large and to be still more enlarged.
III. We have the songs of saints and angels on this occasion, Re 7:9-12, where observe,
1. The praises offered up by the saints (and, as it seems to me, by the Gentile believers) for the care of God in reserving so large a remnant of the Jews, and saving them from infidelity and destruction. The Jewish church prayed for the Gentiles before their conversion, and the Gentile churches have reason to bless God for his distinguishing mercy to so many of the Jews, when the rest were cut off. Here observe, (1.) The posture of these praising saints: they stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, before the Creator and the Mediator. In acts of religious worship we come nigh to God, and are to conceive ourselves as in his special presence; and we must come to God by Christ. The throne of God would be inaccessible to sinners were it not for a Mediator. (2.) Their habit: they were clothed with white robes, and had palms in their hands; they were invested with the robes of justification, holiness, and victory, and had palms in their hands, as conquerors used to appear in their triumphs: such a glorious appearance will the faithful servants of God make at last, when they have fought the good fight of faith and finished their course. (3.) Their employment: they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. This may be understood either as a hosannah, wishing well to the interest of God and Christ in the church and in the world, or as a hallelujah, giving to God and the Lamb the praise of the great salvation; both the Father and the Son are joined together in these praises; the Father contrived this salvation, the Son purchased it, and those who enjoy it must and will bless the Lord and the Lamb, and they will do it publicly, and with becoming fervour.
2. Here is the song of the angels (Re 7:11,12), where observe, (1.) Their station—before the throne of God, attending on him, and about the saints, ready to serve them. (2.) Their posture, which is very humble, and expressive of the greatest reverence: They fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Behold the most excellent of all the creatures, who never sinned, who are before him continually, not only covering their faces, but falling down on their faces before the Lord! What humility then, and what profound reverence, become us vile frail creatures, when we come into the presence of God! We should fall down before him; there should be both a reverential frame of spirit and a humble behaviour in all our addresses to God (3.) Their praises. They consented to the praises of the saints, said their Amen thereto; there is in heaven a perfect harmony between the angels and saints; and then they added more of their own, saying, Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Here, [1.] They acknowledge the glorious attributes of God—his wisdom, his power, and his might. [2.] They declare that for these his divine perfections he ought to be blessed, and praised, and glorified, to all eternity; and they confirm it by their Amen. We see what is the work of heaven, and we ought to begin it now, to get our hearts tuned for it, to be much in it, and to long for that world where our praises, as well as happiness, will be perfected.
13-17
Honour and Happiness of the Saints (95 AD)
圣徒的尊荣与福乐（公元95年）
¹³ 长老中有一位问我说：这些穿白衣的是谁？是从哪里来的？ ¹⁴ 我对他说：主啊，你知道。他向我说：这些人是从大患难中出来的，曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净了。 ¹⁵ 所以，他们在神宝座前，昼夜在他殿中事奉他。坐宝座的要用帐幕覆庇他们。 ¹⁶ 他们不再饥，不再渴；日头和炎热也必不伤害他们。 ¹⁷ 因为宝座中的羔羊必牧养他们，领他们到生命水的泉源；神也必擦去他们一切的眼泪。
这里我们读到对那些忠心事奉主耶稣基督、并为他受苦之人的尊荣与福乐的描述。请留意：
一、一位长老所发的问题，并非为自己的缘故求问，而是为要教导约翰：牧者也可以从会众学习，尤其从年长而经历丰富的基督徒学习；天上最小的圣徒所知道的，也比世上最大的使徒更多。这问题包含两部分：1.「这些穿白衣的是谁？」2.「他们是从哪里来的？」这话似乎带着惊叹，如歌3:6所说：「那从旷野上来的是谁呢？」忠信的基督徒配得我们的留意与尊重；我们当「留心看那正直的人」。
二、使徒所作的回答，他在其中含蓄地承认自己的无知，并向这位长老求教：「主啊，你知道。」那想要得着知识的人，不可耻于承认自己的无知，也不可耻于向任何能给予指教的人求教。
三、对使徒所讲述的关于那支尊贵的殉道者大军的事，他们「身穿白衣，站在神的宝座前」，手中拿着胜利的棕树枝。这里特别留意：1. 他们从前所处的卑微荒凉之境；他们曾在大患难中，受人逼迫，受撒但试探，有时在自己的心灵里也受困扰；他们曾遭受财产被夺、身被囚禁，甚至丧失性命。通往天国的路，要经过许多患难；但患难无论多大，总不能「使我们与神的爱隔绝」。患难若好好经过，必使天堂更加可爱、更加荣耀。2. 他们如今所享的极大尊荣与福乐，是借着什么手段预备的：他们「曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净了」（启7:14）。能洗去罪恶、使灵魂在神眼前成为纯洁洁净的，不是殉道者自己的血，而是羔羊的血。别的血都留下污渍；惟独这血，才能使圣徒的衣裳洁白无瑕。3. 他们既已为此预备好，如今便被提升到何等的福分之中。（1）他们在所处的地位上有福，因为他们「昼夜在神宝座前」，他「用帐幕覆庇他们」；他们所在之处，是有满足喜乐的同在之中。（2）他们在所从事的职事上有福，因为他们不断地事奉神，且没有软弱、困倦或疲乏。天堂是一个事奉的境界，虽然不是一个受苦的境界；是一个安息的境界，却不是懒惰的境界；那是赞美、令人欢欣的安息。（3）他们在脱离今生一切不便之事上有福。[1] 脱离一切缺乏与缺乏之感：「他们不再饥，不再渴」；他们一切所需都得着供应，因缺乏而生的一切不安也都除去了。[2] 脱离一切疾病与痛苦：他们必不再被「日头的炎热」所灼伤。（4）他们在主耶稣的爱与引导中有福：「他必牧养他们，领他们到生命水的泉源」，必使他们得着一切使灵魂舒畅的赏赐，因此「他们不再饥，不再渴」。（5）他们在脱离一切忧伤或忧伤之因上有福：「神也必擦去他们一切的眼泪」。他们从前有过忧伤，流过许多眼泪，无论是为罪还是为苦难；但神亲自用他温柔恩惠的手擦去这些眼泪，它们必永远不再回来；而当神来擦去眼泪时，他们也不会愿意没有这些眼泪。在这事上，神待他们如同慈父见他心爱的孩子流泪，便安慰他，擦他的眼睛，将他的忧愁变为喜乐。这应当抚平基督徒在现今光景中的忧伤，并在一切患难中扶持他；因为「流泪撒种的，必欢呼收割；那带种流泪出去的，必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来」。
英文原文
Honour and Happiness of the Saints (95 AD)
¹³ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
¹⁴ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Here we have a description of the honour and happiness of those who have faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and suffered for him. Observe,
I. A question asked by one of the elders, not for his own information, but for John's instruction: ministers may learn from the people, especially from aged and experienced Christians; the lowest saint in heaven knows more than the greatest apostle in the world. Now the question has two parts:—1. What are these that are arrayed in white robes? 2. Whence came they? It seems to be spoken by way of admiration, as So 3:6, Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness! Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright.
II. The answer returned by the apostle, in which he tacitly acknowledges his own ignorance, and sues to this elder for information: Thou knowest. Those who would gain knowledge must not be ashamed to own their ignorance, nor to desire instruction from any that are able to give it.
III. The account given to the apostle concerning that noble army of martyrs who stood before the throne of God in white robes, with palms of victory in their hands: and notice is taken here of, 1. The low and desolate state they had formerly been in; they had been in great tribulation, persecuted by men, tempted by Satan, sometimes troubled in their own spirits; they had suffered the spoiling of their goods, the imprisonment of their persons, yea, the loss of life itself. The way to heaven lies through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation, when gone through well, will make heaven more welcome and more glorious. 2. The means by which they had been prepared for the great honour and happiness they now enjoyed: they had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Re 7:14. It is not the blood of the martyrs themselves, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin, and make the soul pure and clean in the sight of God. Other blood stains; this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white and clean. 3. The blessedness to which they are now advanced, being thus prepared for it. (1.) They are happy in their station, for they are before the throne of God night and day; and he dwells among them; they are in that presence where there is fulness of joy. (2.) They are happy in their employment, for they serve God continually, and that without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness. Heaven is a state of service, though not of suffering; it is a state of rest, but not of sloth; it is a praising delightful rest. (3.) They are happy in their freedom from all the inconveniences of this present life. [1.] From all want and sense of want: They hunger and thirst no more; all their wants are supplied, and all the uneasiness caused thereby is removed. [2.] From all sickness and pain: they shall never be scorched by the heat of the sun any more. (4.) They are happy in the love and guidance of the Lord Jesus: He shall feed them, he shall lead them to living fountains of waters, he shall put them into the possession of every thing that is pleasant and refreshing to their souls, and therefore they shall hunger and thirst no more. (5.) They are happy in being delivered from all sorrow or occasion of it: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. They have formerly had their sorrows, and shed many tears, both upon the account of sin and affliction; but God himself, with his own gentle and gracious hand, will wipe those tears away, and they shall return no more for ever; and they would not have been without those tears, when God comes to wipe them away. In this he deals with them as a tender father who finds his beloved child in tears, he comforts him, he wipes his eyes, and turns his sorrow into rejoicing. This should moderate the Christian's sorrow in his present state, and support him under all the troubles of it; for those that sow in tears shall reap in joy; and those that now go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.
本章所载之事，插在揭开六印之后、吹响七号之前：六印预言世上将有大灾祸，七号宣告教会中将兴起大败坏；在这两者之间，便插入了这章令人得安慰的经文，确保神的子民在普遍灾祸之时仍享有恩典与安慰。我们看见：一、关于风被禁止的记述，启 7:1-3。二、神的众仆人受印，启 7:4-8。三、天使与圣徒在此场合所唱的诗歌，启 7:9-12。四、那些忠心事奉基督、为他受苦之人的尊荣与幸福的描述，启 7:13-17，等等。