Revelation 7:4
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I heard the number of them which were sealed - In the number of 144,000 are included all the Jews converted to Christianity; 12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes: but this must be only a certain for an uncertain number; for it is not to be supposed that just 12,000 were converted out of each of the twelve tribes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Twelve is the number of the tribes, and appropriate to the Church: three by four: three, the divine number, multiplied by four, the number for world-wide extension. Twelve by twelve implies fixity and completeness, which is taken a thousandfold in 144,000. A thousand implies the world perfectly pervaded by the divine; for it is ten, the world number, raised to the power of three, the number of God. of all the tribes--literally, "out of every tribe"; not 144,000 of each tribe, but the aggregate of the twelve thousand from every tribe. children--Greek, "sons of Israel." Rev 3:12; Rev 21:12, are no objection, as ALFORD thinks, to the literal Israel being meant; for, in consummated glory, still the Church will be that "built on the foundation of the (Twelve) apostles (Israelites), Jesus Christ (an Israelite) being the chief corner-stone." Gentile believers shall have the name of Jerusalem written on them, in that they shall share the citizenship antitypical to that of the literal Jerusalem.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And I heard the number of them which were sealed,.... And therefore could be sure of the exact number, which did not depend upon his sight, and telling them, in which some mistake might have been made, but he heard the number expressed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty, and four thousand: which is a square number arising from twelve, the square root of it, being just twelve times twelve thousand; and may denote their being the true and genuine offspring of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, holding their doctrine, and being built on their foundation; see Rev 21:14; and these were of all the tribes of the children of Israel; not that these were all Jews in a literal sense, for the time of their conversion in great numbers is not yet come. Dr. Goodwin thinks these sealed ones design the believers of the Greek and Armenian churches, and his reasons are not despicable; but this is to limit and restrain them to a particular part of the church of Christ; whereas they take in all the saints within this long tract of time, even all that are the true Israel of God, who are Jews inwardly, of what nation, kindred, tongue, and people soever; and is a certain and determinate number for an uncertain and indeterminate one; and only intends a large number of persons known to God and Christ; see the Apocrypha: "Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;'' (2 Esdras 2:38)
Tyndale Open Study Notes
7:4-8 Who are the 144,000? This listing of the tribes of Israel does not exactly correlate with the twelve physical tribes. Instead, it communicates that God knows precisely which people on earth belong to him. By the AD 90s, Israel’s twelve tribes no longer existed; ten tribes were dispersed when Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kgs 17:1-41). The early Christian church regarded itself symbolically as the Israel of God (Matt 19:28; Rom 2:28-29; 9:6-8; Gal 3:29; 6:16; Phil 3:3). The 144,000 probably represent all faithful Christians (cp. Rev 14:1-5; 21:12-17). The list begins appropriately with Judah (the royal tribe of Jesus) but substitutes Manasseh (one of the two tribes of Joseph) for Dan. The tribe of Dan fell into idolatry (Judg 18:14-31; 1 Kgs 12:25-30), and early Christians regarded it as the epitome of evil.
Revelation 7:4
144,000 Sealed
3“Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God.”4And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel:
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Through the Bible) 1 John 4
By Chuck Smith2.3K45:54Through The BibleEXO 20:14MAT 19:21REV 7:4In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the love of God as demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He highlights that God's love is not based on our love for Him, but rather on His own love for us. The preacher uses the example of a parable on forgiveness to illustrate the importance of showing love and forgiveness to others, just as God has shown love and forgiveness to us. He also explains that true life, according to the Bible, is having a deep fellowship and oneness with God, rather than simply physical existence.
(Revelation) the Sorrows in Earth
By Willie Mullan1.4K1:09:24SorrowJOL 2:1MAT 24:1REV 7:4REV 16:9In this sermon, the preacher discusses the opening of the fifth field in heaven by Jesus Christ. This event is accompanied by great signs on earth, including a great earthquake, the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of stars from heaven. The preacher suggests that these signs are indicative of the great regulation mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24. The sermon emphasizes the significance of these events in relation to the readjustment of the earth and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
Skyland Conference 1979-11 Report on the Mideast
By Aldy Fam Fanous1.1K1:37:48MideastISA 2:4DAN 7:25MAT 24:21ACT 9:11CO 15:8REV 7:4REV 14:6In this sermon, the speaker recounts a personal experience of being protected from shrapnel during a bombing. Despite the danger, the speaker and their family were miraculously unharmed. The sermon also mentions the scarcity of resources such as water and food during this time. The speaker emphasizes the belief that God takes care of his own and shares a story of how bread miraculously appeared when needed. The sermon concludes with a discussion about the Middle East and the role of Scripture in understanding the happenings and conditions in that region.
The Hour of His Judgement Is Come
By Bakht Singh8801:34:51JudgementREV 3:12REV 7:4REV 14:1REV 14:4REV 14:14In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the first five verses of the book of Revelation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the vision given to John and its relevance to believers. The speaker discusses the concept of judgment and how it is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. He also highlights three key details about the company mentioned in the verses: they are in the clouds, they have the name of the Lamb, and they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. The speaker encourages believers to strive for purity and maintain their original love and devotion to Christ.
(The Activity of the Holy Spirit) the Body Before the Judgement Seat
By Peter Brandon1524:45Building on the Foundation of ChristJudgment Seat Of ChristMAT 16:18ROM 14:101CO 3:112CO 5:10EPH 2:22TH 2:31PE 4:17REV 7:4REV 11:3REV 20:11Peter Brandon emphasizes the significance of the believer's body before the judgment seat of Christ, highlighting the church's triumph over the devil's domain and the importance of building one's faith on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He explains that while the church will be taken into the air, the world will face tribulation, and believers will stand before Christ to have their works judged, not their sins. Brandon warns against the dangers of sectarianism and urges believers to ensure their church affiliations are based on scriptural principles rather than personal preferences or charismatic leaders. He reassures that believers will be judged in grace, and their works will be tested by fire, with only what is built on Christ enduring. The sermon calls for a return to biblical foundations in church life to avoid loss of reward.
The 144,000
By Brian Guerin349:57Purity and ObedienceEnd TimesREV 7:4Brian Guerin delivers a powerful sermon on 'The 144,000,' emphasizing their unique attributes as a special company close to God. He highlights their purity, obedience, and the importance of being with the Lamb, Jesus Christ, as they follow Him wherever He goes. Guerin encourages the congregation to seek a deeper relationship with God, stressing the need for humility and a single focus on Christ in these end times. He also shares insights from his 2017 dream about a Jubilee year, linking it to the significance of the 144,000 in Revelation. The sermon culminates in a call for prayer and healing, inviting attendees to experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
The Remnant-Israel's Apostasy Not Complete
By Arno Clemens Gaebelein01KI 19:10MAT 24:14ROM 11:2ROM 11:4HEB 13:13REV 7:4REV 7:9Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the historical evidence of God's faithfulness to His people Israel, using the example of Elijah and the remnant of believers as proof that God has not cast away His people. He emphasizes that the apostasy of Israel is not like that of Christendom, as there is always a godly remnant among the Jewish people who still acknowledge God. Gaebelein discusses the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant, highlighting the importance of understanding the remnant according to the election of grace. He concludes by pointing to the future remnant of believing Hebrews who will proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom after the church is complete.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I heard the number of them which were sealed - In the number of 144,000 are included all the Jews converted to Christianity; 12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes: but this must be only a certain for an uncertain number; for it is not to be supposed that just 12,000 were converted out of each of the twelve tribes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Twelve is the number of the tribes, and appropriate to the Church: three by four: three, the divine number, multiplied by four, the number for world-wide extension. Twelve by twelve implies fixity and completeness, which is taken a thousandfold in 144,000. A thousand implies the world perfectly pervaded by the divine; for it is ten, the world number, raised to the power of three, the number of God. of all the tribes--literally, "out of every tribe"; not 144,000 of each tribe, but the aggregate of the twelve thousand from every tribe. children--Greek, "sons of Israel." Rev 3:12; Rev 21:12, are no objection, as ALFORD thinks, to the literal Israel being meant; for, in consummated glory, still the Church will be that "built on the foundation of the (Twelve) apostles (Israelites), Jesus Christ (an Israelite) being the chief corner-stone." Gentile believers shall have the name of Jerusalem written on them, in that they shall share the citizenship antitypical to that of the literal Jerusalem.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And I heard the number of them which were sealed,.... And therefore could be sure of the exact number, which did not depend upon his sight, and telling them, in which some mistake might have been made, but he heard the number expressed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty, and four thousand: which is a square number arising from twelve, the square root of it, being just twelve times twelve thousand; and may denote their being the true and genuine offspring of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, holding their doctrine, and being built on their foundation; see Rev 21:14; and these were of all the tribes of the children of Israel; not that these were all Jews in a literal sense, for the time of their conversion in great numbers is not yet come. Dr. Goodwin thinks these sealed ones design the believers of the Greek and Armenian churches, and his reasons are not despicable; but this is to limit and restrain them to a particular part of the church of Christ; whereas they take in all the saints within this long tract of time, even all that are the true Israel of God, who are Jews inwardly, of what nation, kindred, tongue, and people soever; and is a certain and determinate number for an uncertain and indeterminate one; and only intends a large number of persons known to God and Christ; see the Apocrypha: "Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;'' (2 Esdras 2:38)
Tyndale Open Study Notes
7:4-8 Who are the 144,000? This listing of the tribes of Israel does not exactly correlate with the twelve physical tribes. Instead, it communicates that God knows precisely which people on earth belong to him. By the AD 90s, Israel’s twelve tribes no longer existed; ten tribes were dispersed when Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kgs 17:1-41). The early Christian church regarded itself symbolically as the Israel of God (Matt 19:28; Rom 2:28-29; 9:6-8; Gal 3:29; 6:16; Phil 3:3). The 144,000 probably represent all faithful Christians (cp. Rev 14:1-5; 21:12-17). The list begins appropriately with Judah (the royal tribe of Jesus) but substitutes Manasseh (one of the two tribes of Joseph) for Dan. The tribe of Dan fell into idolatry (Judg 18:14-31; 1 Kgs 12:25-30), and early Christians regarded it as the epitome of evil.