Revelation 7: An Interlude of Sealing and Salvation
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.
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.
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.
Of the tribe of Juda 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.
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 sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
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.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. 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.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth 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.
Revelation 7, a powerful interlude between the sixth and seventh seals (Revelation 6, Revelation 8), offers a breath of hope amidst the unfolding judgments. It shifts our focus from the earth-shattering events to the preservation and ultimate salvation of God's people. This chapter reveals God's meticulous plan to protect His own during times of tribulation and celebrate the diversity of those redeemed by the Lamb.
Divine Restraint and the Sealing of God's Servants (Revelation 7:1-3)
John witnesses four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the winds. The "four corners" symbolize the entirety of the earth – north, south, east, and west. These winds are symbolic of destructive forces and God's judgment, much like in Jeremiah 49:36. This restraint signifies a temporary suspension of God's wrath. Another angel, ascending from the east and holding the seal of the living God, commands the four angels to hold off their destructive work. The purpose of this delay is crucial: to seal the servants of God on their foreheads. This "sealing" is a designation of ownership and protection, marking them as belonging to God. This sealing stands in stark contrast to the "mark of the beast" described later in Revelation 13:15-18.
The 144,000: Sealed from Every Tribe of Israel (Revelation 7:4-8)
John hears the number of those who are sealed: 144,000, from every tribe of the sons of Israel. Twelve thousand are sealed from each of the twelve tribes. This has led to various interpretations, including the claim by Jehovah's Witnesses that this represents a limited "anointed class." However, a closer look suggests a different understanding.
These 144,000 are best understood as Jewish evangelists who will serve as God's witnesses during the tribulation. This understanding aligns with Isaiah 49:6, where Israel is prophesied to be a "light for the nations." While this promise remains largely unfulfilled during the church age due to the rejection of Jesus by many Jews, God will resume His work with the Jewish people during the tribulation.
The tribes listed are Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Notably, the tribe of Dan is excluded. Various theories exist to explain this absence, ranging from the suggestion that the false prophet may arise from this tribe to Dan's historical role in leading Israel into idolatry (Judges 18:30-31). Regardless, other prophecies indicate that members of the tribe of Dan will ultimately be saved (Ezekiel 48:2). It's important to remember that while mankind may lose track of tribal lineages, God remembers perfectly.
A Vast Multitude Before the Throne (Revelation 7:9-12)
John's vision shifts to a scene of unparalleled glory: a vast multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are clothed in white robes, holding palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10).
This vision underscores the universal scope of God's salvation. It's a powerful reminder that God's love extends to all people, regardless of their ethnicity or language. The presence of this diverse multitude confirms the truthfulness of Revelation 5:9, where the Lamb is praised for redeeming such a diverse group. This multitude's presence in heaven indicates that racial and cultural distinctiveness are retained in eternity.
The angels, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures join in the worship, ascribing blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might to God forever and ever (Revelation 7:12).
The Great Tribulation and the Lamb's Care (Revelation 7:13-17)
One of the elders asks John about the identity of this multitude in white robes. The elder himself answers the question, revealing that these are those who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
This suggests that the 144,000 Jewish evangelists will lead a vast number of both Jews and Gentiles to Christ during the tribulation. It highlights God's abundant mercy and continued offer of pardon even amidst judgment. This opportunity, however, will eventually close at Christ's second coming.
Because of their salvation, this multitude serves God day and night in His temple. They will never hunger or thirst again; the sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:16-17). This beautiful imagery paints a picture of eternal comfort, provision, and perfect peace in the presence of the Lamb.
Revelation 7 offers a powerful message of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of tribulation, God protects His own, extends salvation to all who believe, and promises eternal comfort and joy in His presence. This chapter is a testament to God's unwavering love and His ultimate victory over evil.
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.
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.
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.
Of the tribe of Juda 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.
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 sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
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.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. 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.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth 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.
Revelation 7, a powerful interlude between the sixth and seventh seals (Revelation 6, Revelation 8), offers a breath of hope amidst the unfolding judgments. It shifts our focus from the earth-shattering events to the preservation and ultimate salvation of God's people. This chapter reveals God's meticulous plan to protect His own during times of tribulation and celebrate the diversity of those redeemed by the Lamb.
Divine Restraint and the Sealing of God's Servants (Revelation 7:1-3)
John witnesses four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the winds. The "four corners" symbolize the entirety of the earth – north, south, east, and west. These winds are symbolic of destructive forces and God's judgment, much like in Jeremiah 49:36. This restraint signifies a temporary suspension of God's wrath. Another angel, ascending from the east and holding the seal of the living God, commands the four angels to hold off their destructive work. The purpose of this delay is crucial: to seal the servants of God on their foreheads. This "sealing" is a designation of ownership and protection, marking them as belonging to God. This sealing stands in stark contrast to the "mark of the beast" described later in Revelation 13:15-18.
The 144,000: Sealed from Every Tribe of Israel (Revelation 7:4-8)
John hears the number of those who are sealed: 144,000, from every tribe of the sons of Israel. Twelve thousand are sealed from each of the twelve tribes. This has led to various interpretations, including the claim by Jehovah's Witnesses that this represents a limited "anointed class." However, a closer look suggests a different understanding.
These 144,000 are best understood as Jewish evangelists who will serve as God's witnesses during the tribulation. This understanding aligns with Isaiah 49:6, where Israel is prophesied to be a "light for the nations." While this promise remains largely unfulfilled during the church age due to the rejection of Jesus by many Jews, God will resume His work with the Jewish people during the tribulation.
The tribes listed are Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Notably, the tribe of Dan is excluded. Various theories exist to explain this absence, ranging from the suggestion that the false prophet may arise from this tribe to Dan's historical role in leading Israel into idolatry (Judges 18:30-31). Regardless, other prophecies indicate that members of the tribe of Dan will ultimately be saved (Ezekiel 48:2). It's important to remember that while mankind may lose track of tribal lineages, God remembers perfectly.
A Vast Multitude Before the Throne (Revelation 7:9-12)
John's vision shifts to a scene of unparalleled glory: a vast multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are clothed in white robes, holding palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10).
This vision underscores the universal scope of God's salvation. It's a powerful reminder that God's love extends to all people, regardless of their ethnicity or language. The presence of this diverse multitude confirms the truthfulness of Revelation 5:9, where the Lamb is praised for redeeming such a diverse group. This multitude's presence in heaven indicates that racial and cultural distinctiveness are retained in eternity.
The angels, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures join in the worship, ascribing blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might to God forever and ever (Revelation 7:12).
The Great Tribulation and the Lamb's Care (Revelation 7:13-17)
One of the elders asks John about the identity of this multitude in white robes. The elder himself answers the question, revealing that these are those who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
This suggests that the 144,000 Jewish evangelists will lead a vast number of both Jews and Gentiles to Christ during the tribulation. It highlights God's abundant mercy and continued offer of pardon even amidst judgment. This opportunity, however, will eventually close at Christ's second coming.
Because of their salvation, this multitude serves God day and night in His temple. They will never hunger or thirst again; the sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:16-17). This beautiful imagery paints a picture of eternal comfort, provision, and perfect peace in the presence of the Lamb.
Revelation 7 offers a powerful message of hope, reminding us that even in the midst of tribulation, God protects His own, extends salvation to all who believe, and promises eternal comfort and joy in His presence. This chapter is a testament to God's unwavering love and His ultimate victory over evil.