Revelation Chapter Seven
Revelation 7:1
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.
four used three times puts emphasis on the universality of the following event
should not blow appears to be the restraint of God, as He restrains the power of iniquity (2 Thessalonian 2:6-7)
earth and sea the two beasts come out of the earth and sea
(Revelation 13:1) (Revelation 1:11).
any tree trees sometimes refer to people (Psalm 1:3) (Jeremiah 17:8) (Zechariah 4:3) (Revelation 11:3-4) (Romans 11:13-24). any seems to refer to people of all nations/multitudes.
Revelation 7:2
2 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,
angel ascending from the east appears to represent Jesus (Isaiah 41:2) (Matthew 24:27)
seal of the living God salvation (Ephesians 1:13) (Ephesians 4:30)
hurt the earth and sea appears these four angels are destroying angels.
Revelation 7:3
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
hurt not/till we have sealed this gives us an understanding that there must be a period of time when the destroying angels are restrained, but only until the servants are sealed (Ezekiel 9:4).
servants refer to believers (Matthew 25:23) (Romans 6:23)
(Revelation 1:1).
So what are we to make of all this? For help we must study
(Daniel 7:1-23) (Revelation 13:1-18). Using the provided
information, we can conclude the following. When Jesus went to the cross, He bound Satan so that the kingdom of God could
flourish throughout the world (Mark 3:27). This refers to the church age when believers rule and reign spiritually as they
conquer the powers of darkness, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ bringing many to salvation. Spiritually, believers are
positively seated in heavenly places as they fulfil their ministry upon earth, as members of the spiritual kingdom of God
(Ephesians 2:6)
(Luke 17:20-21).
Note: We will scripturally prove the interpretation of the future Millennial Kingdom Theology has been erroneously interpreted when we expound upon Revelation Chapter 20.
Therefore, when Jesus conquered death, He put Satan on a great chain so that he could no longer deceive the nations
(Revelation 20:1-3). This was a death blow to Satan's kingdom (Revelation 13:3). Jesus won the great war, conquering and
defeating hell and death, and cast Satan out of Heaven (Revelation 12:7-10). Although Satan is restrained, he still walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), but he has no power to whom God has elected to salvation. They may suffer
persecution, or physical death, but they will be saved (Revelation 20:4-6). Again emphasizing that this is describing the church
age, we see in
verse 3, it says "till we have sealed." This shows the church age come to an end. Satan will be loosed to accomplish
the will of God during the tribulation period (Revelation 13:3), he will be allowed to rule as a tyrant and blasphemer through the
political powers and churches throughout the world (Matthew 24:15-28). see also Revelation chapter 13 and
2 Thessalonians chapter 2
As we have
learned from Daniel chapter 7, the four winds cause these satanic kingdoms to come about. Here is the patience of the saints
(Revelation 14:12). This will be a terrible time, primarily of the spiritual condition of the world (Matthew 24:21-22), but God will
do a great work during the latter part of the tribulation, bringing in multitudes that no man can number, and then shall the end come
(Matthew 24:14)
(Matthew 24:29-31). Then shall all evil be forever destroyed in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20) (Revelation 20:10-15).
The rest of this chapter will focus upon the two groups that are saved, the first being those saved during the church age (verses 4-8),
and those saved during the tribulation (verses 9-17). This also gives us a look at the great harvests of the former and latter rains
(Joel 2:23) (James 5:7). This was a very brief summary of the time line God has revealed in His Revelation.
Revelation 7:4
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.
sealed those saved during the church age
hundred and forty and four thousand spiritual number that signifies complete fullness (John 6:39) see: verses 5-8, and also Numbers in the Bible.
children of Israel the church is the spiritual Israel of God in the New Testament (Romans 2:28-29) (Galatians 3:16) (Galatians 3:26-29)
(Galatians 6:16) (James 1:1).
Note: Similarly, this is an elect number as in the seven thousand God left for a remnant in (1 Kings 19:18)
see also (Romans 11:4).
Revelation 7:5-8
5 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. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 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. 8 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.
12,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel.
12=fullness 1,000=completeness see Numbers in the Bible
12 x 12 x 1,000 = 144,000 (complete fullness)
For verification of the conclusion that these are those sealed during the church age, the 144,000 are referred to as "being the firstfruits" in
(Revelation 14:4). Comparing (1 Corinthians 15:22-23, and (James 1:1) (James 1:18) and (Joel 2:23)and (James 5:7), these are those who are saved during
the former rains, being firstfruits. Also note
(Revelation 14:2) as the 144,000 have the voice of many waters.
many waters we learn to represent peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues in (Revelation 17:15).
This also proves that these are not just physical Jews, as some understand to be, but the spiritual Jews of God's Israel, which is made up of peoples
from all nations.
Note: The 144,000 is the "temple of God" that is measured in
(Revelation 11:1) during the church age. The court which is "without"
(Revelation 11:2)
is not measured, because they will be those saved during the latter part of the tribulation, when the local churches will be spiritually dead, and anyone
being saved will be "without" the local congregations. We will now look at this group.
Revelation 7:9
9 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;
After this after the church age
great multitude those saved during the great tribulation
see notes on verse 14
Lamb Jesus (John 1:29) (John 1:36)
white robes the Lamb's bride (Revelation 19:8)
palms signifies praises and righteousness (Psalm 92:12) (John 12:13)
Revelation 7:10-12
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 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, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Praises from all the heavenly host and those redeemed by the Lamb.
Revelation 7:13-14
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 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.
God gives us specific information that these are those who are saved during the great tribulation. The original greek text, contains the definite article "the" which specifies that these did not come out of diverse tribulations (which is common for all believers), but rather they come out of the great tribulation. A period that God makes very clear is determined and certain (Matthew 24:21) (Matthew 24:29). Note: Many Bibles will show the definite article "the" in the margin.
washed their robes (Revelation 1:5) white (Isaiah 1:18)
blood of the Lamb (Hebrews 9:22)
Revelation 7:15-17
15 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. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 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.
living fountains of water Jesus (Jeremiah 2:13) (Jeremiah 17:13)
(John 4:14) Those that Christ has redeemed are eternally and
perfectly secure and provided for (Revelation 21:3-4).
It is all about our Lord Jesus, Hallelujah!
