A Glimpse Of Glory 5

Those Who Can Stand

Text: Revelation 7

Introduction

Illustration: (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist) (Atomic clock moved to 90 seconds) The Doomsday Clock statement states: “Ominous trends continue to point the world toward global catastrophe. The war in Ukraine and the widespread and growing reliance on nuclear weapons increase the risk of nuclear escalation. China, Russia, and the United States are all spending huge sums to expand or modernize their nuclear arsenals, adding to the ever-present danger of nuclear war through mistake or miscalculation. In 2023, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, and massive floods, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters affected millions of people around the world. Meanwhile, rapid and worrisome developments in the life sciences and other disruptive technologies accelerated, while governments made only feeble efforts to control them […] But the world can be made safer. The Clock can move away from midnight.”

Bill Nye, who participated in the 2024 Doomsday Clock announcement, said: “For decades, scientists have been warning us of the dangers facing humankind. We could be facing catastrophe unless we better manage the technologies we’ve created. It’s time to act.”

How many of you believe God is gracious? You will never have someone care for you like God can!

Here we come to an interlude in the apocalyptic events. Why? Well, in short, God suspends destruction for further salvation.

1) Salvation Is Received During Delayed Judgement

Verse 1

God had set four angels with authority to impact all of creation in a catastrophic way.

Verses 2-3

“of the living God”

Remember, it’s the kingdom of the one true living God against a kingdom being ruled by an Anti-Christ who claims himself to be God.

God is the only one who can impart life and security.

God’s seal

God has a seal today called the Holy Spirit!

A little bit of history:

The history of the use of seals predates the history of Israel. The Babylonians pioneered the use of the cylinder seal. These seals were anywhere from 10 to 20 centimeters in height, cylindrical in shape, carefully carved—usually 360 degrees around, placed in malleable clay, and rolled across the clay. This clay seal hardened and thus carried a message of some kind. The Egyptians followed shortly thereafter with the use of scarabs, which are popularly known and seen by travelers in Egypt even in modernity. Seals primarily assigned ownership but were also used to tell a story, to mark for destruction or for protection. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 191.

What was this seal exactly?

It seems to be something that would leave a definite mark on their forehead.

Marking the body in various ways in the first century was very common.

No definite conclusion can be said.

What is the purpose of God’s seal?

It certainly has to do with protection.

What are they being protected from?

There are speculations on this.

I personally feel God is sealing them to protect them from His own judgements that will begin in the seventh seal.

Possible parallel — Israelites in Egypt where they were protected in various ways from most plagues but subject to others as were the Egyptians, who were the real objects of God’s wrath. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 193.

2) Saved, Sealed, Sent

Verses 4-8

There is much conjecture about why certain tribes are mention while others are not. You can study that out for yourself.

For instance, Dan and Manasseh were infamous because of their idolatry and perhaps explaining their exclusion from the list.

Due to all believers in Jesus becoming priests, perhaps explains the exclusion of the Levitical tribe.

Here is what we need to ask ourselves:

How would a first century Jewish Christian have explained and read this text?

How would a first century Gentile have read this text?

In simple terms…12,000 of each of the listed tribes of Israel would be saved.

Sometimes there is the objection: No Jew today could be sure of his/her tribal connection.

How many of you believe God knows the number hairs on your head?

What is the important thing to consider here?

It is not identity of each tribe, but rather God maintains His promise to not being through with the Jewish people.

Revelation 12:17 “17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Romans 9:1–3 “1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

Romans 10:1–2 “1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”

Romans 11:1 “1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.”

Romans 11:25 “25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

Romans 11:25–26 “25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

Two things of importance regarding the seal:

It is probably meant for both their salvation and their protection from God’s spiritual plagues.

3) A Global Great Awakening

This is answering “Who can stand?”

Verses 9-17

John’s excitement explodes event further when he see there are far more than 144,000 Jews.

Now he sees a multitude so great that counting is not possible. He notes that this multitude comprises people from every nation, tribe, people, and language, and they are standing before the throne in front of the Lamb. Patterson, Paige. 2012. Revelation. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen. Vol. 39. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H.

What John is reaffirmed about is the extent of the Gospel!

The gospel of Jesus Christ has permeated the entire earth!

What are the white robes?

Most theologians see these as representation of the imputed righteousness or holiness.

What about the palm branches?

Indicating a festive season of joy and victory!

Oh but how different this moment is from the well remember event.

(v10) “Salvation to our God which sittest upon the throne, and unto the Lamb”

I believe this should be properly understood as “salvation belongs to our God.”

Furthermore, salvation does not belong as a property to any human. Although humans are the recipients of salvation, the dispensing of that salvation is wholly and totally up to a sovereign God. Consequently, John is in complete agreement with Paul and other New Testament writers that no human work is ever sufficient. Patterson, Paige. 2012. Revelation. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen. Vol. 39. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H.

(v11-12)

What is the “Amen” directed too?

It could either be to the multiethnic congregation or the affirming what is about to be said about God.

The following should be considered a eulogy unto God (speaking well of God).

Worship should never be anything less than speaking well of God.

What makes up this eulogy?

Glory & wisdom — Often comes from God’s impressive self-manifestation.

Thanks — Oh how man has spent centuries redeeming the time from when man’s first sin of ingratitude.

Honor — Refering to rare and valuable.

Power and strength — omnipotence and endurance.

God possesses these qualities to the degree of perfection forever!

(v13-14)

Matthew 24:21 “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Isaiah 1:18 “18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Hebrews 9:14 “14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

1 John 1:7 “7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Once again, the theology of “sacrifice” and “substitutionary atonement” is made clear!

One’s ability to stand before God in purity is determined entirely on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb and its application to the unholy and stained lives of those who come to the cross. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 203.

(v15-17)

“serve him day and night”

Like all true blood-bought believers in Christ, love the Lord with all their hearts and are delighted to be in his presence day and night. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 204.

Serving with a heart of worship.

He dwells among those who are serving day and night. God gives the message of acceptance of a serving worship.

“shall dwell among them”

God’s desire has always been to dwell among us!

Exodus 25:8 “8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”

John 1:14 “14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

There is safety, protection, love, acceptance, etc, when in God’s presence.

All earthly pains and struggles are extinguished!!!

Hunger, thirst, debilitating heart from the scorching sun.

The totality of all things that inflict sorrow and difficulty from any era ARE GONE!

The Lamb is also our eternal Shepherd!

Psalm 23:1–2 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

John 10:11–14 “11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

Jesus said “I am the bread of life” and “I am the living water.”

Quote: Every believer should note that what is presented to the eye in this passage is the promise of God—not for ultimate intervention in the present age but for perfect intervention in the age to come. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 205.

Conclusion

Our light affliction and those who will be saved during the great tribulation can rejoice over how short of a time it all will be compared to the eternal bliss of everlasting provision and peace.

WHO CAN STAND? ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB! Those who have turned from unbelief and cast a trusting faith on Jesus as Savior and Lord!