Revelation 7

Revelation 7:1

Who can stand in the Tribulation? We can because we’ll be in heaven. But there are two other groups who will also standone of which is comprised of four angels. “Aha!” you say, “The Bible can’t be taken literally because everyone knows the earth is round. How, then, can it have four corners?” Tell that to the Pentagon. The U.S. Marines ran an advertising campaign a few years back that said “Our Marines are stationed on the four corners of the earth.” Thus, it’s a figure of speech we still use today. In Bible typology, wind speaks of the judgment of God (Jer_49:36; Jer_51:1, Jer_51:16). The seals have been openedand suddenly it is eerily quiet.

Revelation 7:2

The idea of sealing refers to the process whereby a builder would seal with wax the lumber he chose before it was shipped across the Aegean Sea. Arriving at the port nearest him, the builder would carry away whichever trees had his seal upon them. So, too, the Master Carpenter, Jesus Christ, has chosen us to be the material of His eternal temple. Therefore, He has sealed us with His Spirit (Eph_4:30). One hundred forty-four thousand will be marked by God as His servants during the Tribulation. And guess what. In chapter 14, verse Rev_14:1, we see every single one of them surviving the Tribulation to stand with the Lord. Who is this second group who will stand in the Tribulation? Many groups claim to be the 144,000. Jehovah Witnesses are one, even though they had to change their stance a bit when their group grew to number more than 144,000. Historical Mormonism also claimed to be the 144,000. Ellen G. White and the Seventh Day Adventists claim to be the 144,000. Garner Ted Armstrong and his Worldwide Church of God claim to be the 144,000. Why would such groups want to be these 144,000, considering that during the Tribulation, the world will be falling apart around them? Because in so doing, they conveniently write the Jews out of prophecy. You see, throughout history, Christians and cult members alike have attempted to take Israel out of the eschatological equation. Doctrines such as “Replacement Theology,” “Reconstructionism,” and “Kingdom Now” propound that all of God’s promises to Israel were passed on to the church because the Jews rejected Jesus. This is anything but a new idea… Following Constantine’s conversion in A.D. 312, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. At this point, Christian teachers, thinkers, and theologians said, “Uh-oh. We’ve been teaching the kingdoms of this world are going to fallbut now we’ve got a Christian in power in the person of Constantine.” So, Origen, a heavyweight Bible teacher and philosopher of the day said, “I think we’ve been reading the Scriptures wrong. All of the promises given to Israel are simply allegories and illustrations.” And as a result, the power and potency, the effectiveness and impact of the church decreased steadily. Origen left the scene and was followed by Augustine, who was such a gifted proponent of the case for the allegorizing of the Old Testament, that even in some of today’s King James Bibles, headings of the sections that speak of blessings upon Israel read “Blessings to the Church,” while sections that speak of curses upon Israel read “Cursing Upon Israel” (Micah 6-7). Augustine was eventually followed by Martin Luther. And Luther, although a giant of the faith, was terribly wrong on one issue: He hated the Jews. That’s why many Protestant pastors supported Hitler well into his regime. God is not through with His people. His promises to them are firmly rooted in the five covenants He made with themfour of which are unconditional… In the Abrahamic Covenant, God promised to bless Abraham regardless of what Abraham did or didn’t do (Gen_12:1-3). In the Palestinian Covenant, God gave three hundred thousand square miles of landfrom the Euphrates River to the Nileto the Jews, even though at the height of their rule under Solomon, they only possessed thirty thousand square miles (Gen_13:14). In the Mosaic Covenant, otherwise known as the Law, God promised to bless Israel if they followed His commandments (Deuteronomy 28). Of the five covenants, only the Mosaic Covenant is conditional. In the Davidic Covenant, God promised that an eternal King would come from David’s lineagefulfilled, of course, in Jesus (2 Samuel 7). In the New Covenant, God promised to give Israel a new heart upon which He would write His will (Jer_31:31-33). God is not through with the Jew. Because the promises He made to them were unconditional, they cannot be forfeited. “But Israel failed,” you say. So do I. “But Israel was fickle,” you protest. So are you. “But Israel faltered,” you whisper. So do we. That’s why in Romans 9-11, God says, “Look at Israel. I have not turned My back on themand I’ll not turn My back on you.”

Revelation 7:5

Listed by tribe, the 144,000 refer to 144,000 Jews who will preach throughout the world during the Tribulation. Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, step in and take the place of Joseph. But if Joseph is replaced by two in this list and yet the number of tribes remains twelve, a tribe must be missing. The missing tribe is Dan. Why? The Rabbis have consistently interpreted the ominous word in Gen_49:17 to mean that a false Messiah, or Antichrist, will come from the tribe of Dan. That could indeed be true. But Dan’s exclusion may also be the result of something else. You see, God specifically says in Deuteronomy 29 that any tribe involved in idolatry would be separated from the remaining tribes of Israel. This is exactly what happened to Dan. When they came into the Promised Land, the people of Dan were given coastal territory. But they weren’t happy. They soon migrated north in search of new land, finally settling above the Sea of Galilee in close proximity to the pagans. Because of their geographic location, Dan fell into idolatry. Consequently, just as Deu_29:21 prophesied, Dan was blotted out as a tribe. But when the Lord comes back and establishes His kingdom in Israel, guess who is the first tribe given their allotment. Dan (Eze_48:1-3). Such is the incredible grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our God.

Revelation 7:9

This company causes the angels to hold a heavenly hallelujah hoe-down, giving worship and adulation, praise and glory…

Revelation 7:12

What would cause these angels, elders, and living creatures to burst forth in such ecstasy? The company described in verse Rev_7:9. Who are they? Read on.

Revelation 7:13

I find it intriguing that one of the elders answeredeven though no one was asking. That’s exactly what an elder, a mature brother or sister, is supposed to do: answer even though no one’s asking. If you go to work or school, saying, “Lord, use me. Bring me someone today who will ask me about the meaning of lifeit’s possible that will happen, but more than likely you’ll wait a long time for that to occur. An elder is one who doesn’t wait for someone to ask. Just as this elder did, he initiates spiritual discussion.

Revelation 7:14

In chapters 4 and 5, John recognized the church. Yet he doesn’t recognize this multitude before the throne. Therefore, they cannot be the church. Who is this company? First of all, keep in mind the angels are thrilled to see them arrive in heaven. Jesus said that when one lost person is found, all of heaven breaks out in a fabulous chorus of praise (Luk_15:7, Luk_15:10). Therefore, these are people who were lost, but who have come to believe in Jesus during the Tribulation. Be faithful in sharing, precious peopleeven if you’re not presently seeing people respond. Keep proclaiming the Word because the greatest revival in world history will take place after the Rapture. As we read through the book, we’ll see angels flying across the sky, and two witnesses preaching in Jerusalem. Then suddenly, a “great multitude which no man could number” will turn to the Lord. But their repentance could very well cost them their lives, as Antichrist declares war on those who refuse his mark. “I’ll wait to get saved until I see the Tribulation really happen,” some say. “So what if I’m martyred in the process? It will be worth it.” I answer, “You must understand that people saved during the Tribulation are not the church, and therefore are in an entirely different position than the church… This company stands before the throne (verse Rev_7:9). The bride of Christ sits on the throne (Rev_3:21). This company serves the Lord (verse Rev_7:15). The bride of Christ is served by the Lord (Luk_12:37). Precious people, today is the day of salvation (2Co_6:2). Don’t wait until you see everything happen with your physical eyes. Be a man or woman of faith, and come, be part of the bride of Christ.