his great multitude of white-robed palm-bearers, must include those who,
under the preceding seal, anxiously inquired how long was to be deferred
the avenging of their blood on those who dwell on the earth. That epoch
had now arrived; and they come forth arrayed in the white robes then given
them. The palm-branches in their hands, are emblems of victory. They
symbolize the subjects of the first resurrection, caught up to meet the
Lord in the air. That they are gathered from every land and every age, is
asserted when it is said they are from every kindred, tongue, and people;
and that they triumph over death and the grave, is evident from the answer
of one of the elders to the questions: "What are these?" and "Whence came
they?"

The epoch, is a point of time intervening between the first resurrection,
and the descent of the new Jerusalem, 21:2. The loud and united voice,
with which the redeemed multitude cry "Salvation to our God which sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb,"--synchronizes with that of the "great
multitude," which, like the voice of many waters, and of "mighty
thunderings," shouted "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth"
(19:6), immediately preceding the marriage-supper of the Lamb (19:6-9).
They are removed above the troubles of earth, which are impending upon the
wicked, under:

The Seventh Seal.

"And when he opened the seventh seal, silence took place in heaven
for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels, who stood
before God; and seven trumpets were given to them. And another
angel came and stood by the altar, having a golden censer; and
much incense was given to him, that he should offer it with the
prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints,
ascended before God from the angel's hand. And the angel took the
censer, and filled it with the fire of the altar, and out it into
the earth: and there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings,
and an earthquake."--Rev. 8:1-5.

The epoch of this seal, is sometimes regarded as anterior to that of the
trumpets; and those are often supposed to be included in the events of
this seal; but no conclusive reason has ever been given for removing it
from its obvious position as the closing one, of a series of successive
periods, commencing with the gospel, and extending to the end of the
world. If the first s