Apocalypse Now Part XV
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Introduction
Introduction
Chapter 6 ends with a question: “who can stand?” It comes at the conclusion of a litany of disasters both natural and man-made.
Who can stand in a world filled with injustice, poverty, greed, and warfare?
Who can stand in a world on the brink of natural collapse? Today is Earth Day and there is a slow, but growing recognition among all people, including Christians, that we have so mismanaged this planet that we may have done irreversible harm. Some are even calling for the development of a new planetary abode if our species is to survive.
Indeed “Who can stand?” gives us a two word answer: We can.
for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Rev 6:
Analysis
Analysis
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,
saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
Note the parallel here with the seals that were broken in chapter 6
In that case the seals were negative whereas in this case they are positive. Chapter 7 is a chapter of contrasts
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.
Who are the 144,000?
There are a number of possibilities:
A remnant of Jews
Jewish Christians
Martyrs
The number 144,000 (12 [tribes] × 12 [apostles] × 1000) is a Christian symbol for the fullness of the new people of God, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, constituting the remnant of Christians who survive the eschatological woes. They form, as it were, an eschatological army of those who keep the commandments of God and follow the Lamb. They are not martyrs, for they have received divine immunity from all forms of suffering and death
Rev 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, 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,
This is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham
Note the contrast with the previous list.
It was exclusive - this is inclusive
It was limited - this is innumerable
Note the palm branches. This is the true Palm Sunday
The white robes symbolize purity but we are being set up for what is coming - How did they become pure?
and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
Rev 7:10-
Salvation is God’s not ours. It is the mystery of grace. A mystery not because it is hard to comprehend, but because it is unexpected and unmerited.
Rev 7:12-
saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Rev 7:13-14
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The Amen here functions almost like a Greek chorus. It is a response, probably from the angelic beings, to what the multitude is crying.
Who is the elder? Hard to say, but it really doesn’t matter. It is a rhetorical question. Why did he ask it? To make John confess that these are believers from every tribe and nation. We need to make the same confession.
The multitude have endured tribulation because of their faith.
Note the paradox that there robes are white because they are washed in blood.
“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 shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Rev 7:15-
This is the ultimate beatific vision.
No more hunger. No more thirst. Nor more desert. These should be taken both literally and spiritually.
The Lamb who is also the lion of Judah is also the Shepherd of God’s people. The whole point of creation is for God to dwell amongst His people in His creation. This is summed up well in the Westminster confession: What is the chief purpose of man? To love God and enjoy Him forever.
These verses are worth memorizing and reminding ourselves of everyday. They are meant to be taken proleptically.