JTR Lesson 14
Just when total destruction of the earth seems certain, John sees four angels standing at the four corners of the earth (7:1a). Some skeptics see John’s reference to the four corners of the earth as the primitive belief the earth is flat. However, the phrase refers to the four basic points on a compass (north, east, south, and west). The four angels hold back the four winds of the earth, which refers to the judgments (the Great Tribulation) taking place on earth. What does Hebrews 1:14 reveal about angels?
Next, John sees another angel ascending from the rising of the sun (east), who has the seal of the living God (7:2a–b). In ancient times, a king used his signet ring to press into the wax on a scroll or letter. This was his seal to protect the letter’s content from unauthorized opening or fraud. God places His own seal on His children, identifying them as His and protecting them. How does 2 Corinthians 1:22 express this truth?
In verse four, John gives the number of those who are sealed as 144,000. They are identified as being from every tribe of the sons of Israel (7:4). These 144,000 Jews from the twelve tribes should be taken literally because John goes into great detail to reveal exactly who they are in verses 5–8. As Christians, we must never forget the Jews are a special people to God because of His covenant with Abraham. When the church is raptured from the earth, God will again work through Jews. In Romans 11:25c, how does Paul foretell God’s working through the Jews in the future?
Some find it difficult to take the 144,000—12,000 from each of the twelve tribes—literally. They believe these are “spiritual Israel,” their title for the church. It is true Jews have lost their tribal identity. Not one Jew in the world knows from which tribe he or she comes. However, we must remember that before the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70 A.D., the Jews had the most intricate, accurate genealogical records the world has ever known. For example, the first chapter of Matthew contains an amazing, detailed genealogy of Christ, dating back to whom (Matthew 1:1)
For the time being, Israel has lost its tribal identity, as far as this world is concerned. Yet, God still knows everything, including the genealogy of every Jew. For example, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. How does Peter respond when Jesus asks him the third time (John 21:17f)?
John looks and sees a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands (7:9). Who is the great multitude, according to 7:14d?
It is probable this multitude was saved through the evangelistic efforts of the 144,000 Jews during the Great Tribulation. The redeemed multitude cries out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (7:10). Also, all the angels standing around the throne, as well as the elders and four living creatures, fall on their faces before the throne and worship God. They say, or sing, seven words of praise: “Blessing … glory … wisdom … thanksgiving … honor … power and might belong to God forever and ever! Amen” (7:12, emphasis added). This is because He has given salvation to all the redeemed. This scene is an example of what words of Jesus in Luke 15:10?
He also tells John, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14). The robes represent the believers’ garments of salvation. White symbolizes purity and holiness, which can only be given to people who accept “the blood of the Lamb” as the only sacrifice for their sin. How does 1 John 1:7c describe this fact?
John continues, “and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence” (7:15c). The word translated shelter, or “dwell,” (SKĒNOŌ, skay-no’-o) means “tabernacle.” So, the Greek reads, “He will spread his tabernacle over them.” These believers will have suffered terrible persecution at the hands of the Antichrist and his followers. But now, they are in God’s presence, sheltered from their former terrors. This is the ultimate fulfillment of what promise in Psalm 91:1? (See also Psa. 27:5; 61:4.)
However, for all eternity, “the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd” (7:17a). The word translated shepherd, or “feed them,” (POIMAINŌ, poy-mi’-no) refers to a shepherd feeding his sheep. It is a beautiful picture of pastoral care. It is the fulfillment of what wonderful promise of Jesus in John 10:14?
