Who Can Stand?

Those Sealed By God.

The four corners of the earth is a common way of expressing the whole earth, and winds are often viewed as destructive (see Jer.49:36; Dan.7:2-3; Hos.13:15). However, John says there are four angels standing and holding the winds back, which some take as relenting further disaster. What is certain is that God’s servants hold back the destruction, once again reminding us that everything that happens...happens because God says so.

Why are the winds restrained? Another angel steps in and says the servants of our God must first be sealed. This angel comes from the east, and best I can understand, this likely has to do with God’s blessing when you consider the blessing of deliverance…the seal that these servants will receive.

Anything that was sealed would have protection and privilege from the owner. The symbolism could draw from Ezk.9:4-6 where those who hate sin are sealed and protected form judgment. I believe it might draw from Passover imagery as well, where the sealing of the sacrificial lamb over the doorpost protected those inside as the death angel passed by. I think that imagery is certainly in play because of the image of the work of the Lamb in the latter part of the chapter. Further context for a Passover symbolism is the fact that the trumpet judgments that will come next mimic the plagues of the Exodus.

In a broader NT context, sealed typically refers to the work of God through the Holy Spirit where those who belong to God are clearly marked out.

The angel called with a loud voice, and the phrasing is a near-exact match to the martyrs crying out, which could indicate that this is an answer to the martyrs’ prayer. If so, then the delay and sealing do not guarantee physical protection.

Those who are sealed are servants, inevitably emphasizing the “ransomed” motif of Rev.6:9. In other words, God has paid the price through the blood of the Lamb to purchase for His own pleasure those who now belong to Him (1 Cor.6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”)

Finally, a brief note — where is the seal placed? On their foreheads. Now, we’ll get to this in a few chapters as to why this is a big deal, but for now, just stick in the back of your mind and contemplate it.

After this, John heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel. There’s quite a bit to unpack, and I don’t want to get lost in the details. So, let me paint with a few broad characterizations, and then I’ll come back and see if we can land the plane.

Most scholars believe that the numbers are symbolic and refer to completeness. 12 x 12 x 1000 — a full number. Series of twelves appear in Revelation, and they are important in the book for salvation history.

Some believe that this refers to ethnic Jews, and they point to the fact that specific tribal names are given.

The picture does very much seem like a military census, much like the one in Numbers 1. This would make sense given John’s proclivity for using OT references.

The Numbers army set out to take the PL.

The Revelation army would take the Final PL.

There are some interesting peculiarities about the census.

Levi is included, and he is typically not included because they had no inheritance in the land.

Dan is not included, though he typically is. Some scholars argue that this is because of Dan’s idolatry, but there’s simply no evidence of that in the Revelation text…it’s speculative.

Manasseh is listed, but not Ephraim. Why not? In lists that include the two sons of Joseph, they are both listed, but not here.

And, Manasseh is listed and so is Joseph, who is not typically included in the Tribes of Israel.

Finally, we should note that the first tribe listed is Judah, and many scholars agree that this Messianic overtone is significant.

So, is it symbolic? Literal? How should we take it? Here’s what I’ll say — I believe what’s going on here must, in some way, be understood in light of Rom.11. Maybe it’s a commentary on what Paul means when he says all of Israel must be brought in. This is a part of the redeemed community, and there is too much NT symbolism with the sealing that takes place to separate it from Christ and His work. In this sense, Jesus is the true vine by which all believers are grafted in…through His mercy and through His grace. And, whether we view this group as separate or the same as those in vs.9, only described in a different way, the point still stands, they are there because of the Lamb who was slain yet lives again (Rev.5:9 “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”)

The Great Multitude.

We just focused on what John heard, but now he gives attention to what he looked and saw. Is this significant? I think it is, because remember his commission from the beginning — write down the things you see.

When he turns, there was a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. This is the culmination of the promise made that Daniel heard/saw (Dan.7:14 “And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”) They are clothed in white robes, so they’re pure. And, they are waving palm branches, which shows they’re victorious.

BUT...

The thing that is most fascinating is this: they are standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Why is this so fascinating? Remember Rev.6:17 “for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”” Those in Revelation 6 were crying out in terror…remember the whole scene last week? But here they are, from every corner of God’s creation, every skin tone and language barrier broken down by the blood of the Lamb!

Just as the martyrs cried out, so this Great Multitude also has a voice, a voice of their own, and where the martyrs cried out for justice, the GM cried out in victory, Salvation belongs to our God! They’ve been delivered, and as the scene unfolds, celebration ensues.

The worship in heaven that was attended to by the myriads of angels in 5:11 returns now. However, instead of an innumerable throng of angels, now John tells us that all the angels have joined in. This demands the attention of every single one of God’s servants…there is nothing more important that this, the victory of the Lamb.

In response to what John is seeing, one of the elders asks a rhetorical question — who are these. John’s humility is evident as he basically responds, “YOU, not I know the answer to this.”

So he says these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. Scholars are a little torn on the idea of the great tribulation, but I think Osborne may be on to something, seeing it as those who are martyred during the “dragon’s” war against the saints mentioned later in Revelation. The dragon and his legions wage war on the saints finally because they are judged, but their rebellion is short-lived, as Jesus said it would be in Mark 13:20. It is an unparalleled time of persecution, but remember that the church (Rev.12:11 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”) and God (Rev.7:10 “and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!””) are victorious even through the tribulation.

The GM wears robes that have been made…white in the blood of the Lamb. Isa.1:18 ““Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” carries a similar idea, as does Zech.3:3-5 “Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by.”

The Work of the Lamb.

The final verses are a doxological refrain, because what other response is there?!

I want to hit a couple of the highlights and then come back to one word that starts it all.

This GM is a priestly lot, serving God day and night. They maintain priestly duties constantly, returning to their edenic calling. Too much to get in to here fully, but they serve in God’s presence day and night, just as Adam and Eve were commissioned to do, always worshiping and obeying.

They serve, the same word used in Rom.12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” It’s a picture of all of life being lived as an act of worship…what we are called to here and now but fail oh so miserably at because the old man is a constant companion…our sin is always beside us.

Being sheltered with God’s presence harkens back to Isa.4:6 “There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.”

Hungering no more remembers Isa.49:10 “they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.” but also should bring to mind Matt.5:6 ““Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

The Lamb being the shepherd is another twist of imagery so common with God…the Lamb is the one who leads! In addition to Isa.49:10, it recalls Ezk.34:23 “And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.”

And finally, don’t miss the significance of God wiping away every tear. No more sorrow? Yes, which is typically how we think of it. But, it pulls from Isa.25:8 “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.” and draws on the fact that tears were shed because of the judgment and because of tribulation. Finally, God wipes away every tear…no longer to His saints fear judgment or tribulation because they will be done away with forever.

Now, to come back to the very beginning, verse fifteen starts with this word — therefore. It could be translated and understood as “for this reason,” and the natural question is for “what reason?” It is the blood of the Lamb. In this simple word, the entire passage and culmination of salvation history reaches a soaring crescendo — all the saints of God, the redeemed of every nation and all tribes and peoples and languages, they STAND before the throne of God, not fearing retaliation but celebration salvation all because of the Lamb.

What can wash away my sin?

What can make me whole again?

For my pardon this I see…For my cleansing this my plea...

Nothing can for sin atone…Naught of good that I have done...

This is all my hope and peace...

This is all my righteousness...

(*sing) Oh precious is the flow...