The Last Great Revival
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Introduction
Introduction
As we come to the seventh chapter of Revelation what we find here is that instead of the seventh seal we come to a divine interlude. A pause if you will that God has included in order to answer a question that came up in the last chapter. At the end of chapter 6 as the Tribulation period is getting going and raging on in the first 6 seals, the destruction and death is so great that the question is asked - who is able to stand?
17 because the great day of their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?”
The Tribulation period being the wrath of God and of the Lamb poured out in judgment raises the question of whether any will be saved in the Tribulation period. God pauses the events for John to see the answer to this question. That in the midst of judgment - there is grace and mercy. In fact without judgment grace and mercy are impossible. Chapter 7 unveils now the program of protection and salvation that leads to the last and greatest revival.
Key revivals are found throughout history - the first great revival of the Church in which 3,000 Jews came to Christ on the day of Pentecost. A foretaste of what would happen throughout Church History. By the year 300 AD 14 million called themselves Christian and by 500 the number neared 40 million. The next great revival came during the reformation period that spanned over a couple of centuries from 1000 AD - 1600 AD.
The First Great Awakening
Gilbert Tennent, Johnathan Edwards, George Whitefield
A series of revivals spread throughout the American colonies between 1725-1760 peaking about 1740-1742
Second Great Awakening
James McGready and Charles Finney
1800-1840 - only 1 in 15 belonged to an evangelical church by 1850 the population exploded from 5.3 million to 23 million people and those belonging to an evangelical church grew tenfold from 7 percent to 13 percent of the population or 350,000 - 3,000,000
Urban Revivals
1875 - 1885
Dwight L. Moody in 1857 conducted revivals in Chicago - then the British Isles and in 1875 returning to America Moody saw hundreds of thousands converted in a time where Darwinism and higher criticism took off and Moody became the first evangelist to come under attack.
By the turn of the 20th century, the mood of the country was changing. Outside the church, it was the era of radio, movies and the “Jazz Age.” World War I led to a moral letdown and the Roaring Twenties. When that era came to an abrupt end on October 29, 1929, followed by the Great Depression, there was surprisingly little interest in spiritual revival.22 Inside the church, a half-century long battle raged between evangelicalism and theological liberalism, which had penetrated major denominations.23 The effect was that 20th-century revivals were more limited in scope, and lacked the broad impact on society of earlier awakenings.
The Revivals of 1905-1906. Word of the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905 spread to Welsh-speaking settlers in Pennsylvania in late 1904 and revival broke out. By 1905, local revivals blazed in places like Brooklyn, Michigan, Denver, Schenectady, Nebraska, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Taylor University, Yale University, and Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. Billy Sunday, who became a key figure about this time, preached to more than 100,000,000 people with an estimated 1,000,000 or more conversions.
The Azusa Street Revival, 1906. In 1906, William J. Seymour, an African-American Holiness pastor blind in one eye, went to Los Angeles to candidate for a pastoral job. But after he preached, he was locked out of the second service! He began prayer meetings in a nearby home and the Spirit of God, which they called “the second blessing,” fell after many months of concerted prayer. Eventually, the interracial crowds became so large they acquired a dilapidated Methodist church at 312 Azusa Street where daily meetings continued for three years. The resulting Pentecostal Movement and the later Charismatic Movement, which both exploded worldwide in the 20th century, both trace their roots to this revival.
The Post-World War II Awakening. After World War II, in 1947 and 1948, Pentecostals experienced two strands of an awakening, one the Latter Rain Revival and the other the Healing Revival. Large numbers of evangelicals also experienced revival resulting in many conversions.
It was at this time that a great generation of Christian leaders emerged. Bill Bright began Campus Crusade for Christ. In 1949, Billy Graham’s distinguished career, which popularized evangelical Christianity for a new generation, exploded on the scene during his Los Angeles crusade sponsored by the Christian Businessmen’s Committee. An estimated 180,000,000 people attended his nearly 400 crusades, and millions more viewed on television. College Revivals started as early as 1946, but when the prayer-based Wheaton College Revival of 1950 achieved national publicity, it sparked other college revivals throughout America.
The Jesus Movement in the 60’s saw many turn from drugs and sex to finding Jesus Christ as personal Savior. — Chuck Smith and the Calvary Chapel churches are recognized as a part of this revival.
As great as all those revivals were the revival in Chapter 7 is greater and it will be last revival in which any will find salvation.
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel rising up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were allowed to harm the earth and the sea,
3 “Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed: 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the Israelites:
5 12,000 sealed from the tribe of Judah, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 sealed from the tribe of Benjamin.
9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!
11 All the angels stood around the throne, and along with the elders and the four living creatures they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. The one seated on the throne will shelter them: 16 They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
The Sealed
The Sealed
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel rising up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were allowed to harm the earth and the sea,
3 “Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed: 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the Israelites:
5 12,000 sealed from the tribe of Judah, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 sealed from the tribe of Benjamin.
A great storm is getting ready to burst forth upon the earth. Four angels stand at the four corners of the earth restraining the four winds of the earth so no winds could blow on the earth sea or tree. Corners is from an old word which can also be translated angle. Jews held the winds from the north south east and west to be favorable while those from the angles would be unfavorable. The idea is that this storm being restrained and coming from all for corners or all four angles will encompass the whole earth.
Another angel rising up from the east carrying the seal of the living God. This angel cried out to the other angels who were allowed to harm the earth and sea - prohibiting them from doing so. For prior to the destruction God was going to seal His servants. This angel prohibited them from harming until the sealing was completed. Those sealed would be divinely protected by God.
The number sealed is 144,000 from every tribe of the Israelites. The seal on the forehead symbolizes protection and ownership. God intends to protect the 12 tribes mentioned much as He has protected Noah and his family from the flood, Israel from the plagues of Egypt and Rahab in Jericho.
Judah (listed first because they are the tribe of the Messiah), Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi (not usually listed but here they are listed), Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph (not usually mentioned as Joseph = Mannaseh and Ephraim, but Ephraim is not listed), and Benjamin. Each of the 12 have 12,000 sealed among them.
Ephraim and Dan are both absent from the list - perhaps because they were both leaders in idolatry. Some believe that Dan is where the antiChrist comes from
17 Dan will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward.
Dan also was one of the first tribes to go into idolatry
30 The Danites set up the carved image for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the Danite tribe until the time of the exile from the land.
28 So the king sought advice. Then he made two golden calves, and he said to the people, “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here are your gods who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 29 He set up one in Bethel, and put the other in Dan.
However dont count Dan out for they are mentioned and present in the Millenial land distribution - perhaps during this time of tribulation not being sealed is their judgment and in the Millennium they will be restored?!?!?!
2 Next to the territory of Dan, from the east side to the west, will be Asher—one portion.
The most important thing we can get from here is that God continues to watch over Israel even during the time of Israel’s great distress - during Jacob’s trouble. Much attempts have been made to identify the 12 tribes as not Israel but as the church. The fact that the tribes are listed with specific numbers for the tribes should justify removing this from the symbolic and moving it into the literal interpretation. If God wanted us to see Israel literally these are the very means He would use. No where else in scripture do we find the 12 tribes mean the church. The main question to ask is how would a first century Jew have read the text and how would a first century Gentile Christian have read the text? John possessed all the knowledge and language necessary to explicitly write what was in mind - and he did so.
Some facts about the 144,000 from chapter 7 and 14
Specifically called Israel
Specific Tribal affiliation
Protected and Triumphant through God’s wrath meeting with Jesus at Mount Zion at His return. (14:1)
Celibate 14:4
Beginning of a greater harvest 14:4
When evaluated these facts make it difficult to say that the 144,000 are a picture of the church. Israel is a term never specifically applied to the church in the New Testament and never by any Christian until AD 160. It is best to see the 144,00 as Jewish people who come to faith in Jesus Christ and are the beginning of a harvest of Israel.
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!”
The idea of sealing is not new or limited to only them. Jesus was sealed - John 6:27 “the Father has set His seal upon Him”. We are sealed now in the Holy Spirit Paul writes in
21 Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. 22 He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.
30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption.
Today we are saved and sealed with God’s guarantee that we are saved and safe and one day we will be brought to heaven. The 144,00 receive the Father’s name as their seal in direct contrast I believe to the mark of the beast
1 Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
16 And it makes everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of its name.
It is this seal from God that will protect these chosen Jews from judgments that will “harm the earth and the sea”. Specifically the coming trumpets which we will see next Thursday. In every age God has His remnant and faithful. Elijah thought only he was left and God said I have still 7000 who have not bowed down to Baal. The 144,00 symbolize God’s remnant faithful throughout all history
The Multitude
The Multitude
9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!
11 All the angels stood around the throne, and along with the elders and the four living creatures they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Now after this John looks and sees a different group - a vast multitude. Represented by every nation, tribe, people, and language. This group is so large it is specifically stated that no one could number. They were all standing before the throne and before the Lamb - before Jesus. This group is described as being clothed in white with palm branches in their hands.
This group is ethnically distinct from the 144,000 - they are not the same group. They are also ethnically, tribally, linguistically diverse from one another. This group in heaven gives indication of the extent the Gospel of Jesus will permeate the whole earth! This group is the same group from Revelation 6:9
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and the testimony they had given.
They cry in a loud voice praising God - to whom salvation belongs and who is seated on the throne and belongs also to the Lamb. The angels and the elders (the church) along with the four living creatures fell facedown and worshiped
The elder quizzes John and says who are these people and where did they come from? John presses him and says respectfully - you know so share. The reply is that the identity of this group is that they are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They are those who are rescued in salvation for God’s kingdom during the tribulation period. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Those saved in the Tribulation are saved by the same means as those saved today and right now - by the blood of Jesus. Their robes are made white in the blood - not red - white by the blood - not by their suffering and tears. By the blood of Jesus, not goats or bulls
7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
18 “Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.
There is power ONLY in the blood of Jesus to cleanse from sin - it is NOT in their own blood as martyrs but only by the blood of the Lamb. Those saved in the tribulation are saved like everyone else - the blood of Jesus - even if they are martyred their martyrdom cannot and does not save them. Only the work of Jesus cleanses and saves!
The presence of this multitude should give us goose bumps as we consider the powerful testament this reveals of God’s mercy and grace. Even in the time of judgment and wrath on earth many will be saved. Perhaps the proximity of this group to the 144,000 gives credence to the idea and belief that the 144,000 are witnesses to the earth and this multitude is a harvest from the specific work of the 144,000!
Perpetual Service
Perpetual Service
15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. The one seated on the throne will shelter them: 16 They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
In heaven the redeemed enjoy the immediate presence of God. Entering right into the throne room and thus be with God. Paul even alluded to this privilege that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
There are no barriers, no waiting lists - there is not a line at the pearly gates of heaven with Peter acting as the door man. These saints had known affliction on the earth and they had triumphed over it - again not through their afflictions it was their relationship with Jesus.
“Affliction does not save anybody, but the reverse. I believe in sanctified afflictions, but not in sanctifying afflictions.”
A place of rest from earthly toil and trouble for sure, but also a place of privileged service and worship. The idea that one will passively pass all of eternity laying on their backs dressed in white with halos and playing a harp endlessly - not only seems boring lazy and undesirable but it just isnt so! John tells us here that - because of the blood of the lamb and because they have been rescued and saved out of the tribulation these groups stand before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple.
The serving is not described but the word for serve means perform worshipful service. Some sort of priestly service with offering prayer and praise to God. The service is perpetual in the temple of God without physical limitations experienced by priests on earth.
In the presence of God they are sheltered protected and provided for
No more hunger or thirsting
No more shall the sun bear down
The Lamb shall guide and shepherd them
Leading them to springs of waters of life
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
10 They will not hunger or thirst, the scorching heat or sun will not strike them; for their compassionate one will guide them, and lead them to springs.
5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.
God will wipe away every tear
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Death is no more pain is no more - tears are a thing of the past as our heavenly Father compassionately wipes away and dries every tear - forever!
Conclusion
Conclusion
It is in heaven that every tear will be wiped away. Now and until then there will be pain and sorrow and our tear ducts will continue to produce tears from this life. God however shows His love now by giving us strength in our tears and for our tears but one day in heaven and not now - He will wipe them away.
Some may wonder how there will be no sorrow in heaven if he have loved ones who perish in hell...
...I do not know what handkerchief the Lord will use, but I know that he will wipe all tears away from their faces, and these tears among them.” Spurgeon
Here the believers labor in difficulty - there they rejoice with the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep.
Neither group seen by John - the 144,00 nor the Great Multitude represents the church. Both groups are distinguished from the 24 elders. Neither group is identified with the church in this present age either. The 144,000 will appear again (14:1–5), and the multitude of martyrs who were killed for refusing to worship the beast appear again at the time of the resurrection in 20:4. That they are not millennial saints should be evident from the fact that they will be in heaven before God’s throne, and will have been resurrected.
We would be remiss to read the Book of Revelation without developing a global outlook and a deep sense for the fact that God is always emphasizing that what He does is for the whole world’s benefit. The Lamb was slain to redeem people from every area and place.
9 And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.
The Great multitude of revival
9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.
Mark 16:15 (CSB)
15 Then he said to them, “Go into ALL the world and preach the gospel to ALL creation.
Everyone is saved the same way - by the blood of the Lamb - Jesus is the only one who shed His blood to pay for your sins that you could be forgiven and clothed in righteousness as you wash your robes in His blood.