Charles Spurgeon Commentary Revelation 7:1

"After his I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree." — Revelation 7:1 (ASV)

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.

Observe that God has servants ever ready for his work. There were winds to be restrained. And I saw four angels, – mighty spiritual beings – who had power over the air.

These winds were to be restrained until all God's people were safely sealed, and you can depend on it that no calamity will happen to destroy the people of God; they must first be saved.

There will be no deluge until there is the ark; there will be no Romans to destroy Jerusalem until there is a little city in the mountains to which the disciples may flee. God will protect his own.

The dead calm, the perfect quietude which prevailed while the angels restrained the winds, is set forth in these words.

The wind did not appear to blow on land, or sea, or tree. Not a ripple broke the surface of the waters; not a leaf stirred on the branch. Everything is quiet until God's people are secured.

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.

A perfect calm there must be till God's people are saved. Not a leaf shall stir to do them damage. Not a dash of foam upon the waters – no movement of wind, or sea, or tree.