Safe & Sealed Revelation 7
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Scripture: Dave L
Intro:
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Revelation 7 sits between the sixth and seventh seals (6:12-17 and 8:1), functioning as an interlude that answers the anguished question closing chapter 6: "who can stand?" in the day of God's wrath.
The chapter has two scenes: the sealing of 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel (vv. 1-8), and an uncountable multitude from every nation robed in white before the throne (vv. 9-17).
For an audience under real threat of economic exclusion or worse for refusing Caesar's cult, this chapter is pastoral before it's apocalyptic — it answers "will God's people survive this?" with a resounding yes, and reframes suffering ("the great tribulation," v. 14) as the path which people arrive at God's presence, not evidence of abandonment.through
As He breaks each seal, a new divine judgment is poured out on the earth. The judgments of the first five seals were severe. But the disasters associated with the sixth seal (the beginning of the Day of the Lord) will far surpass those of the first five seals.
And the judgments of the seventh seal, which contains the even more intense trumpet and bowl judgments, will be the worst of all.
Chapter 7 forms a parenthetical section between the sixth (6:12–17) and seventh (8:1) seals to answer that question, introducing two groups who will survive the fury of divine judgment.
The first, those described in verses 1–8, are the Jewish evangelists who will be preserved on earth
The second group to escape divine fury (vv. 9–17) are those who will be martyred and thereby ushered into the blissful rest of heaven, where they will be preserved.
After the horrific events of the sixth seal, and before the opening of the seventh seal in chapter 8, the Holy Spirit provided this chapter as an interlude for the reader to catch his breath. It is also a reminder that in the midst of His wrath, God will remember mercy
This pair of visions contrasts the preparedness of believers, who will be delivered from wrath, with the panic and devastation of the unbelievers, who will not survive that wrath.
When God destroyed the world in the Flood, He preserved Noah and his family. When He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He preserved Lot and his daughters. When He destroyed Jericho, He preserved Rahab and her household. And when He destroyed Egypt, He preserved the nation of Israel
Sealed Servants vs. 1-8
Sealed Servants vs. 1-8
Vs. 1 Four Angels
The phrase four corners of the earth is an ancient equivalent to the idea of “the four points of the compass.” The idea is that these angels affect the entire earth.
Holding the four winds of the earth. These winds were a destructive force of God’s judgment, as they often are in the Old Testament.
Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
The four winds of the earth may refer back to the four horsemen of Revelation 6:1-8, after the pattern of Zechariah 6:1-8.
In that passage, four chariots with horses of the same colors of Revelation 6:1-8 go out to all the earth, and are called the four spirits of heaven.
Spirits in that passage translates the Hebrew word ruach, which can also be translated winds.
vs. 2-3 Sealed Servants
Another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: Another angel had a seal, and he sealed the people of God.
In the ancient world, such seals were familiar. A king or a property owner could use a seal to show ownership or authenticity.
Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads: These servants of God will receive a protective seal on their forehead, containing God’s name in some manner
And the Lord said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.”
The word denotes stamping with a signet ring — the mark of ownership, authenticity, and protection.
The same root describes the believer's sealing with the Spirit ("Sealed"; ).
The seal is God's on the forehead, the visible counterpart to and answer for the mark of the beast
This seal will protect them from certain judgments
Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
However, the general idea of being sealed is not limited to them.
Jesus was sealed (John 6:27)
Eph 1:13 says we are all sealed
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
The sealing of the Holy Spirit is meant to be both a comfort and a challenge to us.
We are comforted in that it assures us that we belong to Him.
We are challenged by it to depart from all evil and identify ourselves with the One we belong to
But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
vs. 5-8 The 144,00
This is their general identification. They are of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Ethnically, they are Jewish, and there are 144,000 of these chosen ones.
In this listing of the tribes, the tribe of Dan is left out.
Some think this is because Dan is the tribe of the Antichrist, based on and .
This may or may not be the case, but without doubt, Dan was the tribe that introduced idolatry into the nation of Israel
Many different groups have claimed to be the 144,000.
For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses once said their entire group was, until they surpassed 144,000 in number. Now they say that the 144,000 are only a select group of Witnesses who go to heaven.
It is best to see the 144,000 as specifically chosen Jewish people who come to faith in Jesus, protectively sealed throughout the tribulation as a sign.
They are the beginning harvest of the salvation of Israel
Safe Multitude vs. 9-17
Safe Multitude vs. 9-17
We see God’s care during the tribulation by this picture of the safe multitude
vs. 9-10 Great Multitude
The diversity here is evidence that the Great Commission will be fulfilled before the end, even as Jesus promised
Because John knew they came from different nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, we know that there will be differences among people in heaven, just as there is on earth. We will not all be the same. We will be individuals.
Clothed with white robes: These robes remind us not only of the covering righteousness of Jesus, but also of priestly service. “They are arrayed for holy service, and arrayed at once, for they wear white robes fitted for their priestly service.”
Palm branches: These remind us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Hosanna), where Jesus was also praised as Savior and King. The word means “save now!”John 12:12-16
Palm branches were emblems of victory. It shows this great multitude celebrates a great victory.
Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! Having an emblem of righteousness (white robes), they worship God for salvation.
They recognize that God is the source of salvation, and no one else. Salvation isn’t something we earn, it is something God gives.
vs. 11-12 Elders Worship
vs. 13-17 Tribulation Saints
These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation: This vast multitude, from every tribe and tongue and nation, are those rescued for God’s kingdom in the period of the great tribulation
The presence of so many tribulation saints is a powerful statement of God’s grace and mercy. Even in this time of judgment and wrath on the earth, many are saved.
Washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: Those saved in the great tribulation are saved just like everybody else, by the blood of the Lamb.
Even if they are martyred, their martyrdom does not save them. Only the work of Jesus can cleanse and save.
White by blood is an interesting phrase; we don’t think of things being made white by the application of blood. But the blood of Jesus cleanses us
“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.
They are before the throne of God: In heaven, the redeemed enjoy the immediate presence of God. They can come right into the throne room and be with God. There are no barriers, no waiting lists.
And serve Him day and night: In heaven, the redeemed serve God. We don’t know exactly how, but they do.
The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them: In heaven, the redeemed will know the loving care and nurture of their Savior.
He will protect them from every affliction (they shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat).
He will also provide for their every need (lead them to living fountains of waters).
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes: In heaven, the redeemed will know no more sorrow or pain.
The hurt and the struggle of this earthly life are gone, and tears are a thing of the past, because God will wipe away every tear.
