Book of Revelation: Chapter 7 God Provides Security and Protection for His Saints

Revelation 7:1 “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.”

Four Angels Holding Back the Four Winds Continuation of events surrounding the sixth seal from the previous chapter Seems to be a “divine interlude” between chapters 6 and 7 Questions: What happens to the Christians during this terrible destruction? Judgment is held back until the saints are “sealed.” Similar occurrence in Ezekiel 9

Four Angels Holding Back the Four Winds All suffering is not the judgment of God. Sometimes the innocent suffer along with the guilty, but they are not being punished with the guilty unless specifically noted in the revealed word. Punishment and suffering are not synonymous. Righteous are sealed against judgment—still do not find exemption from pain and death.

Four Angels Holding Back the Four Winds Four—man’s number—world “Angels” standing and ready to act “Corners”-North-South-East-West “Winds of the earth” Holding back the judgment until the command to attack is given. NOT talking about final judgment!

Revelation 7:2 “Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea.”

Revelation 7:3 “Saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’”

Seal God’s Servants—Church Militant on the Earth Another angel ascending… From the east—rising of the sun He has “the seal of the living God” “Mark”—safety in time of trouble Cried with loud voice to the four angels at the corners of the earth Hold back the “winds of judgment”

Seal God’s Servants—Church Militant on the Earth “Do not harm” (release judgment) until God’s slaves have been sealed! Sealing protects against tampering. Matthew 27:66 Sealing shows ownership. 2 Timothy 2:19 Sealing certifies genuineness. Esther 3:12

Revelation 7:4 “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.”

Seal God’s Servants—Church Militant on the Earth “And I heard the number of those who were sealed”… The number 144,000 is symbolic; it is not a literal number. 12 times—organized religion (now raise it to a higher power in order to emphasize its inner quality) 12 = 144 times—ultimate in completeness 1,000 (10 x 10 x 10) = 144,000, which means “All my saints under my care—all of them!”

Seal God’s Servants—Church Militant on the Earth “From every tribe of the sons of Israel” If literal, physical Jews, why are Ephraim and Dan omitted? Why is Judah placed first? (Hebrews 7:14) God’s people in the age of the context of Revelation These are God’s people—Christians

Revelation 7:5 “Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed.”

Revelation 7:6 “Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed.”

Revelation 7:7 “Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed.”

Revelation 7:8 “Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.”

The 144,000 “A chosen race, a royal priesthood” 1 Peter 2:9 “A people for His own possession” Titus 2:14 Christ’s own; “Abraham’s offspring” Galatians 3:29 “The true circumcision” Philippians 3:3

12,000 From 12 Tribes They are on earth—will be affected by the judgment mentioned in chapter 6 These are the “church militant” (on earth) which is to be sealed in answer to the question—WHO IS ABLE TO STAND? Seals the “church” to enable her to withstand the persecution that is coming at the hands of Rome!

Revelation 7:9 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”

Revelation 7:10, 11 “And crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.”

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation “After these things”—things concerning the “sealed church” on the earth… Behold a “great multitude” coming out of every nation—out of the tribulation. “Standing” Before the throne Before the Lamb Paradise???

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation Clothed in “white robes”—signifying victory “Palm branches” in their hands. Crying with a “loud voice” Did so at the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Thanksgiving for the Harvest… Thanksgiving for their deliverance!

Revelation 7:12 “Saying: ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’”

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation “Amen”—song of agreement voiced by the angels, elders, and four living creatures Glory, honor, thanksgiving, and praise deserved by the Lamb—why? He overcame and gives others the ability to do likewise!

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation Why is He worshipped? Worthy to open the scroll, and He is God! Pictured here is a victory celebration in honor of the Lamb… What He did and continues to do, as well as the honor bestowed upon Him because of His conduct!

Revelation 7:13 “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’”

Revelation 7:14 “And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”

Revelation 7:15 “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 dwell among them.”

Revelation 7:16 “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat.”

Revelation 7:17 “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation Questions and answers given by one of the elders for John’s benefit The “ones who have come out” (present tense) those who are coming out of the great tribulation Hour of testing is over Same group of 144,000 looking from a different direction…

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation Sealed servants of the earth (vs.2-8) Sealed servants passed through death (vs.9-17) God’s name written upon them The 144,000 (7:3,4; 14:1-4) Those who overcome (3:12; 22:4)

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation “Have washed their robes” and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! Ephesians 1:7; Isaiah 1:18; Hebrews 9:14; (1:5) Serve Him for that reason 144,000 sing before the throne! “Day and night in His temple” sanctuary showing one service as priests

The Great Multitude Coming out of Tribulation Those who serve Him are cared for: “Perfect protection” Provision made for them (21:3) “Perfect provision” Not be hungry, thirsty, hot, or tormented (7:16) “Perfect leading” The Lamb is their Shepherd (22:1) “Perfect joy” Wipe away every tear from their eyes (21:1-4)