Holding the Four Winds

The seventh chapter of Revelation provides its own answer to the question proposed just before it, “Who shall be able to stand?” We are brought right up to the closing events of this world’s history, and now the focus shifts to reveal a marvelous wonder. Indeed, some shall stand, for God is able to make them stand.

With the veil pulled back and the unseen made manifest, we see a divine agency at work on behalf of the salvation of God’s people. Four angels hold back “the four winds of the earth.” But what is the wind that it should be held back? Scripture uses wind as a symbol in several ways, and each of them has an appropriate application in this vision.

The four winds make another appearance in the vision of Daniel 7:2: “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea” (KJV, emphasis added). Here are represented winds of strife—that is, of war and civil unrest, made more evident by the events of that vision. We are also admonished not to be “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14, emphasis added). Jesus uses the wind to represent the Holy Spirit (John 3:8), which means wind here can also be interpreted as the encroachment of “spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12).

There is, however, a broader application of wind: the darkness of sin. “We are all like an unclean thing. … And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). Thus, we find in these four winds all the forces of darkness arrayed against the world—like an invading army. There is war, revolt, devilish doctrines, and all varieties of sin pressing in with such force so as to consume humanity.

Yet, above all, we see God’s hand is in control, and His angels are holding back this great time of trouble until God’s faithful few are prepared to meet the crisis.

Father God, help us to make the most of this probationary time given to us by your wonderful grace. Keep us faithful in sharing Your love with others to bring them to Your Son!

For Further Study: Daniel 7:2; Jeremiah 49:36; Revelation 16:13; 18:2–5

Key Bible Texts

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 KJV)