Revelation 7

Revelation 7:1-17

Interlude between the Opening of the Sixth and Seventh Seals – Robert Mounce notes that Revelation 7:1-17 serves as an interlude between the openings of the sixth and seventh seals. He notes how there are similar interludes between the blowing of the sixth and seventh trumpets (Revelation 10:1 to Revelation 11:14) and between the pouring forth of the sixth and seventh bowls (Revelation 16:13-16). [74] [74] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 298-299.Here is a proposed outline:

1. Israel is Sealed — Revelation 7:1-82. The Martyrs of the Tribulation Gather around the Throne of God — Revelation 7:9-17

Revelation 7:9-17

The Martyrs of the Tribulation Gather around the Throne of God – If the opening of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-17) symbolizes the onset of the Great Tribulation Period, then Revelation 7:9-17 describes the great multitude of saints who stand before God’s throne who were martyred during this tribulation. The passage of Scripture that reads, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” (Revelation 7:14) most likely means that not every saint was taken in the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. It also likely means that many people will be saved in the midst of the hardships of the Tribulation Period. The verb “come out” may refer to the Rapture, but it is better to be interpreted as those who are martyred during the Great Tribulation Period. Revelation 7:14 — Comments - Many people will be saved during this Great Tribulation period; for God’s wrath will be clearly demonstrated to all mankind. Only those whose deep depravity moved them to rebel willing against God do not repent, but rather they curse God because of these terrible plagues (see Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 16:11). Revelation 9:20-21, “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” Revelation 16:11, “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” Revelation 7:17 — “and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” - Comments - In his book I Visited Heaven, Julius Oyet, says, “It is not saying that Jesus will come down from His throne with a handkerchief or towel in His hands then begins to wipe our faces one by one. Otherwise this could take thousands of years. The glory of the Lamb just instantly dries up everyone’s tears at once.”[75] [75] Julius Peter Oyet, I Visited Heaven (Kampala, Uganda: Bezalel Design Studio, 1997), 41.