Revelation 7 Charles
After the sixth seal is opened there is a pause before the seventh seal. This is a pattern all through Revelation. Six of a group of seven things will be presented, and then there is a pause with a change of subject, or a parenthetical discussion of some kind, and then the seventh thing is presented.
In the midst of all the terror of the Tribulation there is good news. Many, many people are going to be saved.
☆ Revelation 7:1...
"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."
After the opening of six of the seven seals...
John sees 4 angels standing on the four corners of the earth.
Four corners on a spherical earth?
Now that's an interesting thought.
Let us then say that... these 4 angels operated from the North, South, East and the West of our planet.
They control the four winds of the earth that are capable of hurting the earth and the sea.
But at this point of time they are holding back the winds from blowing on the earth... on the sea... or on any tree.
Why is that?
☆ Revelation 7:2-3...
"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
John sees yet another angel...
This one arises from the East holding the seal of the Living God.
He has a very special assignment from the LORD.
The seal... is the inscription or impression of the name of God and Christ to be stamped upon their foreheads.
[Later on we will see that Satan's seal on the forehead of man is going to be the number 666... the number of the name of the Beast.]
This angel commands the four angels in the North, South, East, West... not to hurt the earth, nor the sea nor the trees, until he has sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.
We are seeing God in total control of the proceedings that are going on, on the earth.
☆ Revelation 7:4...
"And I heard the number of them which were sealed:
and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."
The Apostle John hears the number of servants that are to be sealed (for security or preservation)... 144 000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel... from the nation of Israel.
It is very clear that God will have a remnant (a small surviving group) of His people who are going to be saved.
There has always been a remnant in Israel that is true to God.
By the way, God has never given up on Israel.
Some Christians believe that the Church has replaced Israel... often referred to as "replacement theology."
Never! Never! Never!
Israel is the apple of God's eye... always has been... always will be.
Read chapters 9-11 of Romans.
And what does "sealed" mean here?
The Holy Spirit guarantees that they will make it through the Great Tribulation.
If it weren't for the seal, they wouldn't survive.
They are given special protection against the particular attacks upon the Jews during the Tribulation.
Note: Every Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit when they are born again.
I know I would not make it if it wasn't for the Holy Spirit working in my life.
☆ Ephesians 1:13...
"In Whom (Jesus) you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
☆ 2 Corinthians 1:22...
"Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest (pledge, security) of the Spirit in our hearts."
The following is the breakdown of the numbers sealed... 12 000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
☆ Revelation 7:5-8...
"Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand."
These are the individuals who are going to be a witness for Christ in the Great Tribulation Period... they are in effect 144 000 Jewish Evangelists.
In ☆ Matthew 24:14... speaking of this period, the Lord Jesus said...
"And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
☆ Revelation 7:9-10...
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
After the sealing of the 144 000, John now sees a huge multitude of people.
A great number that no man could number (on his own).
John sees people from all nations, different tribes, people groups and of all kinds of languages standing before the throne of God... and standing before the Lamb...
And... they are all clothed with white robes... holding palms in their hands.
"Clothed with white robes" - represents the righteousness of Christ. We cannot stand before God in our own righteousness, because our righteousness is as filthy rags.
"And palms in their hands" - are emblems of victory. Branches of the palm-tree were carried by the victors in the athletic contests of Greece and Rome, and in triumphal processions.
"And cried with a loud voice"...
What are they saying? What are they singing?
They praise the Father and the Son for their salvation.
Salvation is only from God...
Salvation comes only by placing our complete faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary.
In the Great Tribulation, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world. The 144 000 Jewish Evangelists during the Great Tribulation Period are going to accomplish in seven years what the church up to the present has not done in over two thousand years.
Now there's a big WOW factor!!
Yes...during the Great Tribulation, there will be a great company of people who will be saved...
Even in the midst of God's judgement... God's grace will still be available to those who believe.
And guess what? ... the gospel message will be the same as was preached by the early church in the book of Acts...
Christ crucified and Christ risen from the dead three days later.
There is no other Gospel. ☆ Galatians 1: 8-9...
☆ Acts 4:12...
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
☆ Revelation 7:11-12...
"And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."
There is much rejoicing in heaven by the angels.
Do you know why?
☆ Luke 15:10... gives us a clue...
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents."
All the angels stand around the throne, the Elders and the four creatures.
They fall prostrate before the throne worshipping Almighty God saying...
"Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever... Amen."
Note that the worship begins and finishes with an "Amen"...
At the beginning it means... verily, of a truth.
At the end it means... so be it.
And also note that 7 blessings are pronounced upon God by the worshippers.
By the way, if you haven't noticed it already, the number 7 is very prominent in the book of Revelation... e.g. blessings, seals, trumpets, vials, Spirits of God, lampstands, churches, Tribulation... see how many others you can find!
7 is God's perfection.
☆ Revelation 7:13-14...
"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and where did they came from?"
And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of Great Tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
One of the 24 Elders asks John who these people are that are dressed in white robes?
And... where did they come from?
John replies, "You know, you tell me!"
[I'm not sure who was testing whom.]
The angel tells John that these people came out of Great Tribulation... and that they washed their robes (souls made white) with the blood of the Lamb.
In other words, these are the people saved during the Tribulation... they are the Tribulation saints.
As the hymn of yesteryear goes...
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood?
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
The Tribulation saints are washed in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb!
Are you?
☆ Revelation 7:15-17...
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
The angel continues to say... because the Tribulation saints have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (they are clothed in the righteousnessof Christ), they will be before the throne and will serve God day and night.
One commentary defines the word "serve" as "to pay religious homage" to God.
I prefer the words worshipping and praising God... these saints will be so grateful for being saved... they will be worshipping the LORD for a long time in glory.
"He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them..."
The word "dwell" means to occupy, reside, to encamp, to fix one's tabernacle.
God's presence will now be with them in a way never experienced before... His presence will be tangible++ and will literally be out of this world.
They will be in the perfect environment... no more hunger, no more thirst, neither shall the sun light on them (?), no more heat (persecution or affliction).
The Lamb in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to living fountains of water. They will hunger and thirst no more.
I find it rather interesting, that when Jesus was on earth the first time, He was called the Good Shepherd (☆ John 10:11-14)... He lead the people, He fed the people, He gave them living water.
Here in heaven He is called the Lamb and He does the same.
The fact that Jesus is referred to as the Lamb in heaven... is a constant reminder to all what a hefty price God paid for our salvation... the shed blood of His Son Jesus.
In God's mighty compassion and care... He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. Remember that these saints endured much during the Tribulation period.
The Scripture "He careth for you" is going to be more meaningful than ever before.
Selah!