1. The Sixth Seal Preview of Punishment (Revelation 6:12-17)
Similar symbols are used elsewhere to denote God’s judgments against the wicked
Similar symbols of judgment (Joel 2:10; Isaiah 13:10)
These are not literal occurrences, but changes in geo-political world order.
Seemingly stable governments and societal institutions are swept away by God’s power.
Similar symbols of the reaction of the wicked (Isaiah 2:19; Hosea 10:8; Luke 23:30)
All of those who trusted in the powers and institutions that God destroys are now entirely undone.

2. Revelation 7:1-17 Provisions for the Redeemed
Revelation 7 is an interlude – a break in the flow of the revelation story to convey other important information.
After the 6th seal, one is expecting to see the culmination of God’s wrath on the earth. Rather than that, we are shown…
144,000 of God’s people sealed on earth.
An innumerable multitude saved eternally
God’s people are protected in the short term, and then redeemed eternally!

3. Revelation 7:1-3 Saints Under Divine Protection
Four winds of destruction are held by four angels (cf. Jeremiah 49:36; 51:1)
A fifth angel tells them not to harm the earth until the servants of God are sealed
“Seal” is used in the Bible to indicate:
Protection against tampering (Matthew 27:66)
Ownership (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Certification (Esther 3:12, cf. Eph. 1:13)
The seal in Revelation 7 involves all of these things
It is designed to protect God’s people from His retribution on evil men (cf. Ezek. 9:1-11)

5. Revelation 7:4-8 144,000 are Sealed & A Multitude is Saved
144,000 are sealed of the tribes of Israel
These represent “the servants of our God” (7:3)
144,000 is the sum of 12,000 taken from each of the twelve tribes.
It is also a multiple of 12 x 12 (tribes, apostles) and 1,000 (a large number)
If meant literally, then only Israelites on the earth are sealed.
Dan & Ephraim are omitted (cf. 1 Kings 11:26; Judges 18)

7. Revelation 7:9-17 144,000 are Sealed & A Multitude is Saved
The Church Triumphant & Redeemed
John then sees an innumerable multitude before the throne of God with white robes and palm branches praising God with the heavenly host (7:9-12; cp. Leviticus 23:40)
One of the elders identifies the multitude as those who come out of the great tribulation having washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. (7:13-17; Hebrews 9:13-14)
Their future is glorious. Their needs are fulfilled and they no longer suffer pain or grief.

8. 144,000 sealed & a Great Multitude Saved