Revelation 7

1 After this [following these events, subsequent to] I saw four angels [messengers of God, heavenly beings] standing at the four [cardinal] corners [angles, extremities] of the earth [the physical globe, the terrestrial sphere], holding back [restraining, keeping in check] its four [primary] winds [air currents, breaths] so that no wind [gentle breeze, strong gale] would blow [be blown, breathe] on land [the earth’s surface, the ground] or sea [the ocean, the deep] or on any tree [plant, vegetation]. word study 2 And I saw [beheld, perceived] another [different, distinct] angel [messenger of God] ascending [going up, rising] from the east [the direction of the rising sun], with [having, possessing] the seal [a mark of ownership, a signet] of the living [eternal, life-giving] God [the supreme deity]. And he called out [cried, shouted] in a loud [great, powerful] voice [sound, utterance] to the four [a specific number, a group] angels [messengers, heavenly beings] who had been given [granted, bestowed] power [authority, ability] to harm [damage, injure] the land [earth, ground] and the sea [a large body of water, the ocean]: word study 3 “Do not harm [harm or wrong] the land [earth, soil] or sea [large body of water] or trees [plants with trunks and branches] until we have sealed [marked for security or preservation] the foreheads [front part of the face, above the eyes] of the servants [slaves, those subject to God] of our God [the one true deity, Creator].” word study 4 And I heard [with understanding and obedience] the number [quantity or amount] of those who were sealed [stamped or marked for security], 144,000 [one hundred and forty-four thousand, a complete number] from all [every] the tribes [clans or families] of Israel [God’s chosen people, the descendants of Jacob]: word study 5 From the tribe [a clan or family group] of Judah [the region of Palestine and its people, often called Jews] 12,000 [a large number, a dozen] were sealed [marked or stamped for security or preservation], from the tribe of Reuben [the firstborn son of Jacob] 12,000, from the tribe of Gad [a tribe of Israelites, named after one of Jacob’s sons] 12,000 [a thousand, a multitude], word study 6 from the tribe [a clan or family group] of Asher [Aser, one of the 12 tribes of Israel] 12,000 [a multitude of twelve thousand], from the tribe [a family or clan] of Naphtali [named after the son of Jacob] 12,000 [twelve thousand sealed], from the tribe [a group of people with a common ancestry] of Manasseh [Manasses, the first-born son of Joseph] 12,000 [a large number, a thousand times twelve], word study 7 from the tribe [a clan or family group] of Simeon [son of Jacob, an ancestor of Jesus] 12,000 [a large number, a multitude], from the tribe [a group of people with a common heritage] of Levi [a son of Jacob] 12,000 [a dozen thousand, a significant amount], from the tribe [a family or clan] of Issachar [a son of Jacob, and the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel] 12,000 [a thousand times twelve, a numerous group], word study 8 from the tribe [a group of people with a common ancestry] of Zebulun [one of the twelve tribes of Israel] 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph [son of Jacob, a significant figure in Israel’s history] 12,000, and from the tribe [a clan or family group] of Benjamin [the youngest son of Jacob] 12,000 [a large number, a thousand being a multitude]. word study 9 After this [following these events, subsequently] I looked and saw a multitude [a great crowd] too large to count, from every nation [all Gentiles, people groups] and tribe [clans, families] and people [a specific nation or race] and tongue [language, dialect], standing [in the presence of] before the throne [the seat of God’s power, authority] and before the Lamb [Jesus, the innocent and pure one]. They were wearing white [pure, clean] robes [long, dignified garments] and holding palm [symbol of celebration, victory] branches in their hands [as a symbol of worship, praise]. word study 10 And they cried out [with a great voice, loudly] in a loud voice: “Salvation [rescue, safety, spiritual deliverance] to our God [the one true deity], who sits [is seated, resides] on the throne [the seat of power, authority], and to the Lamb [a symbol of innocence, purity]!” word study 11 And all [every single one] the angels [heavenly messengers] stood around [surrounding, encircling] the throne [seat of power, authority] and around [encircling, surrounding] the elders [respected leaders, presbyters] and the four living creatures [beings, animals]. And they fell [collapsed, prostrated] facedown [on their faces, in reverence] before [in the presence of] the throne [seat of power, authority] and worshiped [paid homage, revered] God [the one true deity, Creator], word study 12 saying, “Amen [so be it, may it be so]! Blessing [praise, benediction] and glory [honor, admiration] and wisdom [higher understanding, spiritual insight] and thanks [gratitude, thanksgiving] and honor [esteem, value] and power [strength, ability] and strength [might, capability] be to our God [the one true deity] forever [for all eternity] and ever [throughout all ages]! Amen [may it be so, so be it].” word study 13 Then one of the elders [a respected leader, an older person] addressed me: “These [who are they, what are these] in white [pure, clean] robes [long, dignified garments],” he asked, “who [which ones, what people] are they, and where [from what place, whence] have they come from [originated, arrived]?” word study 14 “Sir,” I answered, “you know [are fully aware].” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out [emerged, passed through] of the great [intense, severe] tribulation [pressure, affliction]; they have washed [laundered, purified] their robes [long, dignified garments] and made them white [pure, spotless] in the blood [atoning sacrifice] of the Lamb [symbol of innocence, purity]. word study 15 For this reason [because of this, due to this cause], they are before [in the presence of, face to face with] the throne [seat of power, authority] of God [the Almighty, Creator] and serve [minister, worship] Him day [a 24-hour period, a time of light] and night [a time of darkness, a period of rest] in His temple [a sacred place, a dwelling place]; and the One seated [sitting, residing] on the throne will spread [dwell, tabernacle] His tabernacle [a shelter, a place of protection] over them [protecting, shielding]. word study 16 ‘Never again will they hunger [no more, neither thirst any more], and never will they thirst [have a strong desire for something]; nor will the sun [the celestial body, source of light and heat] beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat [intense glow, God’s judgment].’ word study 17 For the Lamb [the symbol of innocence and purity] in the center [midst, central position] of the throne will be their shepherd [to care for and guide]. ‘He will lead them to springs [fountains, sources] of living [life-giving, eternal] water,’ and ‘God [the one true deity] will wipe away [completely erase, blot out] every tear [teardrop, sign of sorrow] from their eyes [the windows of the soul].’ ” word study