- The Seal Was Used In The Old Testament

God’s use of a seal on His faithful people is not unprecedented. In Ezekiel 9, God instructed the “man clothed in linen” to “go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it” (Revelation 9:4). Then, to the six men with the “deadly weapons” God commands: “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary” (Revelation 9:5-6). Ezekiel adds, “So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple.”

Next John describes God’s sealing of the 144,000 “from all the tribes of Israel,” 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes (Revelation 7:4-8). I do not in the least agree with the numerous cults and far-out religious groups who insist that only they themselves will be sealed as God’s elect. Many of us in the evangelical tradition are convinced the Bible predicts a glorious, eternal future for a believing “remnant” within Jewry. How does the present state of Israel fit into the picture? With all my heart I believe that God did not lie to Abraham! There will be a remnant of believing Jews, restored from north, south, east and west, who will occupy the land God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I press on now to John’s portrayal of the great host of redeemed saints praising and worshiping God around the heavenly throne. This is certainly one of the most amazing passages in the entire Bible—and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful.

John succeeds as well as anyone could in describing the great multitude from every tribe and nation and language on earth. All are clothed in white robes. All hold palm branches signifying victory. And they are crying out:

Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.

Then they join the host of angels around the throne, together with the elders and the living creatures in a song of praise and adoration:

Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!

I have tried to think what my own emotions and delight would be if I, like John, could have been a witness to this heavenly outpouring of worship and praise. John must have been ecstatic. He must have been speechless with reverence and awe.