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1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of
the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any
wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.
2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal
of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels
who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:
3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put
a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."
Revelation 7:1-3
Explanation:
The sixth seal has been opened, and the people of the earth have
tried to hide from God, saying, "Who can stand?" Just
when all hope seems lost, four angels hold back the four winds of
judgment until God's people are sealed as his own. Only then will
God open the seventh seal. A seal on a scroll or document identified
and protected its contents. God places his own seal on his followers,
identifying them as his own and guaranteeing his protection over
their souls. This shows how valuable we are to him. Our physical
bodies may be beaten, maimed, or even destroyed, but nothing can
harm our souls when we have been sealed by God. God's seal is placed
on the foreheads of his servants. This seal is the exact opposite
of the mark of the beast explained in 13:16. These two marks place
the people in two distinct categories--those owned by God and those
owned by Satan.
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from
all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of
Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
Revelation 7:4-8
Explanation:
The number 144,000 is 12 x 12 1,000, symbolizing completeness--all
God's followers will be brought safely to him. not one will be overlooked
or forgotten. God seals these believers either by withdrawing them
from the earth (this is called the rapture) or by giving them special
strength and courage to make it through this time of great persecution.
Even though many believers have to undergo persecution, the seal
does not necessarily guarantee protection from physical harm. No
matter what happens, they will be brought to their reward of eternal
life. Their destiny is secure. These believers will not fall away
from God even though they may undergo intense persecution. This
is not saying that 144,000 individuals must be sealed before the
persecution comes, but that when persecution begins, the faithful
will have already been sealed (marked by God) and they will remain
true to him until the end. This is a different list from the usual
listing of the 12 tribes in the Old Testament, because it is a symbolic
list of God's true followers. Judah is mentioned first because Judah
is both the tribe of David and of Jesus the Messiah. Levi had no
tribal allotment because the Levites' work for God in the temple,
but here the tribe is given a place as a reward for faithfulness.
Dan is not mentioned because it was known for rebellion and idolatry,
traits unacceptable for God's followers. The two tribes representing
Joseph (usually called Ephraim and Manasseh, after Joseph's sons)
are here called Joseph and Manasseh because of Ephraim's rebellion.
See Genesis 49 for the story of the beginning of these 12 tribes.
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude
that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,
standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing
white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to
our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the
elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces
before the throne and worshiped God,
12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and
honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
Revelation 7:9-12
Explanation:
Who is this great multitude? While some interpreters identify it
as the martyrs described in 6:9, it may also be the same group as
the 144,000 just mentioned (7:4-6). The 144,000 were sealed by God
before the great time of persecution; the great multitude was brought
to eternal life, as God had promised. Before they were being prepared;
now they are victorious. This multitude in heaven is composed of
all those who remained faithful to God throughout the generations.
No true believer ever need worry about which group he or she will
be in. God includes and protects each of us, and we are guaranteed
a place in his presence. People try many methods to remove the guilt
of sin--good deeds, intellectual pursuits, and even casting blame
on others. The multitude in heaven however, praises God, saying
that salvation comes from him and from the lamb. Salvation from
sin's penalty can come only through Jesus Christ. Have you had the
guilt of sin removed in the only way possible? More information
about the elders is found in the note on 4:4. The four living creatures
are explained further in the note on 4:6,7.
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who
are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These
are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed
their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve
him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will
spread his tent over them.
16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The
sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe
away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:13-17
Explanation:
The great tribulation has been explained in several ways. Some believe
it refers to the suffering of believers through the ages; others
believe that there is a specific time of intense tribulation yet
to come. In either case, these believers come through their times
of suffering by remaining loyal to God. Because they remain faithful,
God will give them eternal life with him. It is difficult to imagine
how blood could make any cloth white, but the blood of Jesus Christ
is the world's greatest purifier because it removes the stain of
sin. White symbolizes sinless perfection or holiness, which can
be given to people only by the death of the sinless Lamb of God
on our behalf. This is a picture of how we are saved through faith
(see Isaiah 1:18; Romans 3:21-26). God will provide for his children's
needs in their eternal home where there will be no more hunger,
thirst, or pain, and he will wipe away all tears. When you are suffering
or torn apart by sorrow, take comfort in this promise of complete
protection and relief. In verses 1-8 we see the believers receiving
a seal to protect them through a time of great tribulation and suffering;
in verses 9-17 we see the believers finally with God in heaven.
All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God's
throne. Their tribulations and sorrows are over; no more tears for
sin, for all sins are forgiven; no more tears for suffering; for
all suffering is over; no more tears for death; for all believers
have been resurrected to die no more.
