Formed from the signification of the names by which the tribes were called, by which both the order of the tribes sealed, the disposition of the assembly itself, its contest and reward by God are declared.

Judah. . . . confitetur Deo } The blessed Assembly confesses to God by looking to the Son. { Cultus purus et rite Christianus. Pure and truly Christian worship
Reuben. . . . .intuendo Filium
Gad. . . . cætus
Aser. . . . benedictus
Naphtalim. . . . luctantur cum } They contend with those who forget their obedience. { Lucta.
Contest.
Manasseh. . . . obliviscentibus
Simeon. . . . obedientiam
Levi. . . . Adhæsio (scil. Christo) } Their adherence to Christ adds to them the reward of an eternal habitation with the Son of his right hand. { Præmium.
Reward.
Isachar. . . . mercedem
Zabulon. . . . habituculi (scil. æterni)
Joseph. . . . adjicit
Benjamin. . . . Filio dextrræ

The blessed assembly, the assembly of those who are sealed, confess or celebrate God, by looking to his Son, that is, to Christ the only Mediator. They contend with those who are forgetful of their obedience, that is, with the antichristians. Adhesion to Christ will add to the Son of His right hand, (that is, to him whom God highly values) the reward of a habitation or eternal mansion. Or otherwise, the Son of His right hand (that is, Christ) will add to those who adhere to God, the reward of a habitation, or mansion of eternal life.

To this more contracted and afflicted state of the Church, under the type of those who are sealed out of the people of Israel, succeeds that most ample, and by far most prosperous state of the same, under the image of an innumerable multitude of palm-bearers, out of every nation, and people, and tribe, and language. "After these I beheld, and lo! a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation, and of all tribes, and people, and tongues, standing before the Throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and with palms in their hands; and they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb."

But since this vision pertains to the seventh trumpet, and cannot be conveniently and clearly explained elsewhere, on account of so many things which require to be previously known, we will therefore postpone the exposition of it. At present it may be sufficient that the reader should remember what has been just now generally said, that both the visions in conjunction pervade the whole interval of the seventh seal, or of the trumpets; but separately, that the assembly of the sealed synchronizes with the first six trumpets, and the multitude of the palm-bearers with the seventh.

And thus having completed the interpretation of the interposed vision, or visions, let us resume the discontinued series of the seals.