Revelation 7:1 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. This chapter consists of two general parts; first, Christ’ s special care of his churches and saints in those evil times, which were to come shortly. \ Secondly, the peaceable and flourishing condition of the church of God, after those evil times, which of the Roman pagan persecutions are past; Revelation 7:9-17. And after these things; that is, after the former visions and matters revealed therein; I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, etc. By these four angels we may understand literally, evil angels; for the devil is called the prince of the power of the air, \ whom God suffered to raise a great wind that blew down the house wherein all Job’ s children were feasting, \ and killed them. And metaphorically, evil ministers, such as the apostle Peter called false teachers. \ And such as the apostle Paul called ministers of Satan, \ deceitful workers and false apostles. By the four corners of the earth, we may understand the four great cities of the empire, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Rome: And by the four winds, we may understand the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, in contradistinction to divers and strange doctrines. \ False teachers cannot withhold or hinder the breathings of the Holy Spirit. \ But they may hinder and withhold the wind of sound doctrine from blowing upon the church militant on earth; or on the sea; that is the worship of God, \ or any tree that is, fruitless professors; as Lu 13:7.