Revelation Chapter 7:
Chapter 7 begins with the words, “After these things.” After what things? After the opening of the first 6 seals. As we said before, these occurrences happen consecutively, beginning shortly after the rapture and continuing on through the seven years’ tribulation. The 7thseal contains the 7 trumpets and the 7thtrumpet contains the 7 bowls of wrath. Thus all of God’s judgments for the world at this time are contained in the book that the Lamb takes from His Father’s hand and opens.
As we will see in chapter 8, the first three trumpets to be blown affect the earth, trees, grass and the sea, bringing great devastation. However, in the first three verses of chapter 7, instructions are given to four angels, who stand on the four corners of the earth. They hold the four winds of the earth and do not allow these winds of judgment to blow until certain servants of God have been sealed with the seal of the living God. In Psalms 148:8, we read that God uses the stormy wind to fulfill His Word, and in Jeremiah 49:36 and 51:1, we see that God uses wind to bring judgment on the nations. Even so, in the end time God will bring destroying winds on the earth.
Who are these servants of God that are to be sealed and thus protected from some of the judgments that these winds will bring? They are described in verses 4-8 as being 144,000, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Since they are all Israelites, they cannot be a part of the church, for Colossians 3:11 tells us “… there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision” in the body of Christ. In our study of chapter 7 of Revelation, we see this group still on the earth, but in chapter 14, we have a picture of them after they have gone to heaven. There we see that they are redeemed from the earth; a heavenly group. They are described as virgins, indicating their purity. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and are completely committed to Jesus. They are called “the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb,” and are without fault before God.
In Romans 11:26, we read that “all Israel shall be saved,” and we know that when Jesus comes back at the time of the battle of Armageddon, after which He will set up His throne, at that time Israel as a nation will look on Him Whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son. (Zechariah 12: 10) Then Israel will be “born in a day” (Isaiah 66:8), and God will put a new heart in them and He will be their God and they will be His people. (Ezekiel 36:24-28) But Israel’s new birth as a nation won’t occur until the end of the 7 years’ tribulation. This company of 144,000 Israelites is sealed by God during the first part of the tribulation—that is why they are called the “firstfruits” unto God and the Lamb. They are a special people who love God supremely. They are the elect of Israel at this time and therefore have a special place with a special song before the throne of God and before the four living creatures and the elders. I believe we could call them the overcomers of Israel at this period of time. They are saved shortly after the rapture and will be taken up to heaven around the middle of the “week” of tribulation. They will, no doubt, be great evangelists for the name of the Lord during the first half of tribulation.
The sealing of the 144,000 is literal and visible, since it is said they were to be sealed “in their foreheads.” In Revelation 14:1, we see that this company has the name of the Lamb and His Father’s name written in their foreheads. The seal probably consists of these names. We have examples in the Old Testament of visible signs given for protection: a mark was given Cain
(Genesis 4:15); blood was put on the door posts of the Israelites (Exodus12:13); and Rahab was protected by a scarlet thread (Joshua 2:18). Also, there is an interesting account of a similar sealing in Ezekiel’s vision of Ezekiel 9:1-6. God desires to protect His own, even as He protects us today from so much of the evil of the world, for we also are sealed with “that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Ours is not a visible seal, but it is no less literal and real.
Notice that the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted from the list of those being divinely protected from judgment at this time. They are replaced by the tribes of Levi and Joseph. The reason for this is apparent from a study of Deuteronomy 29:18-26 and 1 Kings 12:25-30. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim were some of the first ones to become involved in idol worship, and they continued in this idolatry for many years. God’s great principle of reaping what we sow cannot be changed! However, Dan and Ephraim are included in the earthly inheritance spoken of in Ezekiel 48:1-7 because that was God’s covenant promise to them, and God keeps His word! How wonderful are His ways!
While the first half of Revelation 7 is a scene on earth, from verse 9 through verse 17 the scene changes to a heavenly one. John beholds a “great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues.” This is in contrast to the definite number given of the group from one nation only in verses 4-8. According to verse 14, this great multitude is a group of believers who has come out of the great tribulation. I do not believe that this “great multitude” represents merely those who will be saved during these first few months of the tribulation. No doubt many of them will be saved at this time. However, it is my conviction that this group includes those who, although they were saved during this church age, did not put Jesus first in their lives. They did not forsake all to follow Him. Thus far in our study, we have seen in heaven only the overcomers of the Old Testament saints and the overcomers of the church. But now after the 6th seal has been opened, (but before the 7th seal), this great multitude of believers is resurrected and stands before the throne and before the Lamb. No doubt the “souls under the altar” of chapter 6 are among this group, having now received their glorified bodies. This multitude is clothed with the righteousness of Christ. As they begin to praise God and the Lamb, all the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures join them in great praise and thanksgiving to God.
According to verse 15, the occupation of the great multitude is to serve God day and night in His temple—and what a wonderful occupation that will be! But yet, note the contrast between this and the promise Jesus gave to the overcomers in Revelation 3:21. At the end of the 7 years’ tribulation, there will be a great marriage; the marriage of the Lamb and His wife. It is His wife that will be granted the privilege of sitting with Him on His throne. In Romans 8:17 we read, “And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him that we may be also glorified together.” Also note 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” This does not signify salvation. Jesus will never deny one who has believed on Him and become a son of God. But in this reference, the Holy Spirit speaks of reigning with Christ, which He will grant to those who are willing to suffer with Him. These are the overcomers who are seen as the four living creatures who assist the Lord in judging the earth, after which they will be joined to the Lamb as His wife. What a glorious opportunity is set before every person who has ever been born into this world! But how sad that so few will take advantage of this opportunity. (Note the comparison of fourliving creatures to a multitude which cannot be numbered!) Of course, four is a typical number here, but I believe the comparison is accurate. Accordingly, salvation is offered to everyone in the world, but only the few will believe and accept what God has provided. Jesus said the way to life is narrow, and few there be that go that way, but the way to destruction is wide and many will go there. Study Ephesians 5:25-32 and see just why Christ died for us. Allow Him to sanctify and cleanse you with the washing of the water by the Word, that you may be able to enjoy all that He has provided for you as a “joint-heir” with Him.
But let us look again at the great multitude of Revelation 7. Even though they are not among the overcomers of the church, and thus will not have the beautiful relationship with Christ as His bride, nevertheless, notice the blessings promised to them in verses 15-17. They will serve God in His temple; they will experience no more hunger, thirst or pain. The Lamb will be in the midst of them, nourishing and leading them, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Will there be tears in heaven? Perhaps for a short period of time this great multitude will realize the great error they made in not being willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus while still on the earth. Perhaps at that time they will experience deep sorrow, but God will at once wipe away those tears and they will be forever happy serving Him. What a loving and merciful God we have! However, let us lay hold of the hope set before us of being seated on the throne with Jesus Christ, having that place of close fellowship with Him even as a bride with her Bridegroom. The apostle Paul said, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
As we will see in chapter 8, the first three trumpets to be blown affect the earth, trees, grass and the sea, bringing great devastation. However, in the first three verses of chapter 7, instructions are given to four angels, who stand on the four corners of the earth. They hold the four winds of the earth and do not allow these winds of judgment to blow until certain servants of God have been sealed with the seal of the living God. In Psalms 148:8, we read that God uses the stormy wind to fulfill His Word, and in Jeremiah 49:36 and 51:1, we see that God uses wind to bring judgment on the nations. Even so, in the end time God will bring destroying winds on the earth.
Who are these servants of God that are to be sealed and thus protected from some of the judgments that these winds will bring? They are described in verses 4-8 as being 144,000, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Since they are all Israelites, they cannot be a part of the church, for Colossians 3:11 tells us “… there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision” in the body of Christ. In our study of chapter 7 of Revelation, we see this group still on the earth, but in chapter 14, we have a picture of them after they have gone to heaven. There we see that they are redeemed from the earth; a heavenly group. They are described as virgins, indicating their purity. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and are completely committed to Jesus. They are called “the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb,” and are without fault before God.
In Romans 11:26, we read that “all Israel shall be saved,” and we know that when Jesus comes back at the time of the battle of Armageddon, after which He will set up His throne, at that time Israel as a nation will look on Him Whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son. (Zechariah 12: 10) Then Israel will be “born in a day” (Isaiah 66:8), and God will put a new heart in them and He will be their God and they will be His people. (Ezekiel 36:24-28) But Israel’s new birth as a nation won’t occur until the end of the 7 years’ tribulation. This company of 144,000 Israelites is sealed by God during the first part of the tribulation—that is why they are called the “firstfruits” unto God and the Lamb. They are a special people who love God supremely. They are the elect of Israel at this time and therefore have a special place with a special song before the throne of God and before the four living creatures and the elders. I believe we could call them the overcomers of Israel at this period of time. They are saved shortly after the rapture and will be taken up to heaven around the middle of the “week” of tribulation. They will, no doubt, be great evangelists for the name of the Lord during the first half of tribulation.
The sealing of the 144,000 is literal and visible, since it is said they were to be sealed “in their foreheads.” In Revelation 14:1, we see that this company has the name of the Lamb and His Father’s name written in their foreheads. The seal probably consists of these names. We have examples in the Old Testament of visible signs given for protection: a mark was given Cain
(Genesis 4:15); blood was put on the door posts of the Israelites (Exodus12:13); and Rahab was protected by a scarlet thread (Joshua 2:18). Also, there is an interesting account of a similar sealing in Ezekiel’s vision of Ezekiel 9:1-6. God desires to protect His own, even as He protects us today from so much of the evil of the world, for we also are sealed with “that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Ours is not a visible seal, but it is no less literal and real.
Notice that the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted from the list of those being divinely protected from judgment at this time. They are replaced by the tribes of Levi and Joseph. The reason for this is apparent from a study of Deuteronomy 29:18-26 and 1 Kings 12:25-30. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim were some of the first ones to become involved in idol worship, and they continued in this idolatry for many years. God’s great principle of reaping what we sow cannot be changed! However, Dan and Ephraim are included in the earthly inheritance spoken of in Ezekiel 48:1-7 because that was God’s covenant promise to them, and God keeps His word! How wonderful are His ways!
While the first half of Revelation 7 is a scene on earth, from verse 9 through verse 17 the scene changes to a heavenly one. John beholds a “great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues.” This is in contrast to the definite number given of the group from one nation only in verses 4-8. According to verse 14, this great multitude is a group of believers who has come out of the great tribulation. I do not believe that this “great multitude” represents merely those who will be saved during these first few months of the tribulation. No doubt many of them will be saved at this time. However, it is my conviction that this group includes those who, although they were saved during this church age, did not put Jesus first in their lives. They did not forsake all to follow Him. Thus far in our study, we have seen in heaven only the overcomers of the Old Testament saints and the overcomers of the church. But now after the 6th seal has been opened, (but before the 7th seal), this great multitude of believers is resurrected and stands before the throne and before the Lamb. No doubt the “souls under the altar” of chapter 6 are among this group, having now received their glorified bodies. This multitude is clothed with the righteousness of Christ. As they begin to praise God and the Lamb, all the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures join them in great praise and thanksgiving to God.
According to verse 15, the occupation of the great multitude is to serve God day and night in His temple—and what a wonderful occupation that will be! But yet, note the contrast between this and the promise Jesus gave to the overcomers in Revelation 3:21. At the end of the 7 years’ tribulation, there will be a great marriage; the marriage of the Lamb and His wife. It is His wife that will be granted the privilege of sitting with Him on His throne. In Romans 8:17 we read, “And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him that we may be also glorified together.” Also note 2 Timothy 2:12: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” This does not signify salvation. Jesus will never deny one who has believed on Him and become a son of God. But in this reference, the Holy Spirit speaks of reigning with Christ, which He will grant to those who are willing to suffer with Him. These are the overcomers who are seen as the four living creatures who assist the Lord in judging the earth, after which they will be joined to the Lamb as His wife. What a glorious opportunity is set before every person who has ever been born into this world! But how sad that so few will take advantage of this opportunity. (Note the comparison of fourliving creatures to a multitude which cannot be numbered!) Of course, four is a typical number here, but I believe the comparison is accurate. Accordingly, salvation is offered to everyone in the world, but only the few will believe and accept what God has provided. Jesus said the way to life is narrow, and few there be that go that way, but the way to destruction is wide and many will go there. Study Ephesians 5:25-32 and see just why Christ died for us. Allow Him to sanctify and cleanse you with the washing of the water by the Word, that you may be able to enjoy all that He has provided for you as a “joint-heir” with Him.
But let us look again at the great multitude of Revelation 7. Even though they are not among the overcomers of the church, and thus will not have the beautiful relationship with Christ as His bride, nevertheless, notice the blessings promised to them in verses 15-17. They will serve God in His temple; they will experience no more hunger, thirst or pain. The Lamb will be in the midst of them, nourishing and leading them, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Will there be tears in heaven? Perhaps for a short period of time this great multitude will realize the great error they made in not being willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus while still on the earth. Perhaps at that time they will experience deep sorrow, but God will at once wipe away those tears and they will be forever happy serving Him. What a loving and merciful God we have! However, let us lay hold of the hope set before us of being seated on the throne with Jesus Christ, having that place of close fellowship with Him even as a bride with her Bridegroom. The apostle Paul said, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14