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. (Revelation 7:1)
These angels represent divine agencies in the world holding back the forces of evil until the work of God on human hearts is complete and the people of God are sealed in their foreheads (see on ch. 6:17).
Four corners.
Compare Isa. 11:12; Eze. 7:2. This signifies that the whole earth is threatened.
Four winds.
Frequently in Scripture the “four winds” represent the four directions of the compass (see Dan. 8:8; Mark 13:27). Here the four winds are plainly destructive forces (see v. 3). Probably the closest parallel is to be found in Dan. 7:2, where they appear to be the forces of strife out of which great nations arise.
It has been suggested that inasmuch as Rev. 7 appears to be an answer to the final question of ch. 6 (see on ch. 6:17), this holding of the four winds is a temporary withholding of the terrors depicted in ch. 6, until those who are to stand firm in the tempest have made preparation for it.
Viewed in the light of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, these destructive forces represent the efforts of Satan to spread ruin and destruction everywhere. In symbolic vision John saw four angels; actually, many angels are employed in the task of holding in check the designs of the enemy. These angels belt “the world.... They are keeping the armies of Satan at bay till the sealing of God’s people shall be accomplished.... They are given the work of keeping back the raging power of him who has come down like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (EGW Supplementary Material on ch. 5:11). When the work of sealing is completed, then God will say to the angels, “‘No longer combat Satan in his efforts to destroy. Let him work out his malignity upon the children of disobedience; for the cup of their iniquity is full’” (EGW RH Sept. 17, 1901; cf. 6T 408).
When the four angels finally let go and cease holding in check the malicious designs of Satan and “the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old” (GC 614).
On the earth.
The three items here mentioned—earth, sea, and tree—emphasize the universal nature of the threatened destruction.