Holding Back the Four Winds

I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. (Revelation 7:1b, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Some commentators believe these “angels” are the four horsemen from Revelation 6:1–8 (see also Zechariah 1:8), because of the destruction associated with them. Apart from this, there is no reason to conclude that they are anything other than four unidentified angels.  These four angels could also be the same angels who blow the first four trumpets, because the judgments are similar (Revelation 8:6–12).

The expression “the four corners of the earth” was used in antiquity among the Near-Eastern Nations much as we use the four points of the compass as a figure of speech to represent the entire world (see Daniel 7:2; Isaiah 11:12; Ezekiel 7:2; Revelation 20:8).

The “four winds” are seen by some as storms of Divine judgments that will burst upon the earth from all sides. Others maintain that the winds are to be taken simply as actual storm-winds, just as in Revelation 6:12 a real earthquake should be understood.  Winds in Scripture are also symbols of opinions or false doctrines (Ephesians 4:14, Hosea 8:7). Finally, the four winds could also another way to describe the entire world (Jeremiah 49:36; Daniel 8:8; 11:4; 2 Esdras 13:5), the same way that the four corners did.

If the wind is literal, one must not underestimate the effect that an interruption in wind patterns, especially in the upper atmosphere, might have on the earth. The wind helps moderate temperature (“the four corners of the earth“), it affects ocean currents (“on the sea“), rain patterns (“on the land“), and facilitates the pollination of plant life (“on any tree“), to name just a few.  So, it is very easy to see how a withholding of the wind could affect the land, seas and trees.  If the wind is viewed symbolically as the judgments of God, then the four angels are viewed as holding the judgments back during this pause.  The judgments that will descend on the land, sea and tree possibly come in answer to the martyrs’ prayer under the fifth seal.

My Advice – It is not inconceivable that the much heralded “man-made” climate change could be contributing this judgement. We are stewards of God’s creation and abuse of that responsibility is sure to have consequences. But we need to keep it in perspective. Man will not destroy the planet. It will be kept for God’s timing and reserved for His judgement. “Long ago by God’s word the heavens existed, and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:5–7, NIV 1984).

Climate change might be a concern as far as quality of life is concerned. So, we should continue to prudently do what we can work the “garden” as good stewards. But do not be overly fearful or alarmed. Just continue to “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness,” until God says that the end has come.

Resources:

Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 7:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 815). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Johnson, Alan, Gaebelein, Frank E., (1981). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Revelation).  Grand Rapids. Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation.

Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 187). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 569). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.