iona's Bible Study Notes - Revelation Chapter 7
Chapter 7 is a parenthesis, an interlude. There is a change in subject,
tone, chronology and theme. Judgment is no longer the topic. The 6th seal
was broken at the end of chapter 6 and the 7th seal is opened in chapter 8.
This chapter deals with the issue of salvation during the entire Tribulation
and is a message of hope and an answer to the question of 6:17 "who is able
to stand?"
After these things [Meta tauta] after the cry, "who is able to
stand," we meet four angels standing at the four corners of the earth who
are to temporarily suspend judgment . This is not a suspension between the
seals and the trumpets, but looks at what will occur just before the
judgments begin.
The Number Four relates to the earth globally.
four angels Four is the number of worldwide effect. This is the first
of several global judgments involving four angels. There are four angels
bound at the river Euphrates which will later be released to kill a third of
mankind (Rev 9:14)
four corners of the earth This is a figurative term for the four
compass directions. The angels have a worldwide mandate.
four winds The four major directions from which winds blow. This is
equivalent to saying "from every direction."
not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree These three parts
of the created order will undergo God's judgment in events of chapter 8.
to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea Every judgment
is subject to God's conditional permission.
The earth is harmed with the first four Trumpets - one third of earth,
trees, sea, etc. Therefore, the SEALING of the 144,000 has to happen BEFORE
THE TRUMPETS are sounded.
another angel One who is superior, having authority over the other
four angels. See Eph 3:10 which speaks of rank and authority among the
angels of God.
having the seal relates to a personal seal (in this case royal). It
is an like a signature stamp. Seals were imprinted into wax to denote
authenticity and authority. Often a signet ring made the imprint and was
thus the noun, seal.
sealed The verb "to seal" is sfragizw and means "to make an imprint
in wax." In ancient times it could (a) indicate a finalized transaction. For
the 144,000 it was redemption. (b) be a stamp of ownership. The 144,000 were
God's people. (c) be a mark of protection or security. Obviously true in
this case.
Notes on being sealed: In Ez 9, the righteous were sealed for
protection before Jerusalem was judged. The seal is the Hebrew letter
tau ("t," as in the shape of a small cross).
Jesus was sealed. He said "God the Father has set His seal on Him."
(John 6:27)
We are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our eventual total
redemption. Paul wrote: God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit
in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Cor 1:21-22)
This sealing of the Holy Spirit belongs to every believer
when they are saved: having believed, you were sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise. (Eph 1:13)
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption." (Eph 4:30)
on their foreheads Foreheads is is the same Greek word used to
describe the location of the mark "of a branded slave."
The Imitation: Satan, whose activity is a warped and wicked imitation
of Christ, will act through "the beast" to mark those who are his, who are
thereafter unredeemable (Rev 14:9 +) God, by His angel, will 'seal'
His servants on their foreheads (Rev 7), so also Satan, by his angels, will
set a mark in the foreheads of his followers (Rev 13)
Some facts about the 144,000 from Rev 7 and 14
They are called the sons of Israel (Rev 7:4)
Their tribal affiliation is specific (Rev 7:4-8)
They will stand with Jesus at Mount Zion (Rev 14:1)
They are celibate (Rev 14:4).
They are the beginning of a greater harvest (Rev 14:4)
They are marked by integrity and faithfulness (Rev 14:5)
Their names are written on the gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:12)
Stop now and picture these 144,000 Messianic Jews; 144,000 spirit filled
Jews for Jesus; 144,000 Apostle Pauls all boldly evangelizing in the very
shadow of the Antichrist. They will reap a huge harvest!
Some say these are not literal Jews, others say the numbers aren't literal.
But if the language is not literal, then there is no benchmark for defining
the real meaning of the text. Thus we see outrageous and fanciful
interpretations born of man's ego and imagination rather than God's Truth.
It has been claimed that these are the 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, or they
are Mormon elders, or they are symbolical for the church.
of all the tribes of the children of Israel Children of Israel, [huion
Israel] , literally: sons of Israel.
twelve thousand were sealed Twelve in the scripture relates to completion
and is also inseparably connected to God's chosen people, Israel. Obviously,
we think of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles.
Unusual Listing of the Tribes Normally Levi was not listed, being the
priestly tribe and having no inheritance among the twelve tribes. Ryrie
suggested he may be included because the priestly functions ceased with the
coming of Christ.
Dan is not listed. Dan was the tribe which introduced idolatry into the
nation of Israel (Gen 49:17; Jdg 18:30) Also, when Israel was at war in
Deborah's time, other tribes sent men to fight, but Dan didn't go. Scripture
asks, "Why did Dan remain on ships?" (Jdg 5:17)
BUT Dan is the first tribe listed in Ezekiel's millennial roll call of the
tribes, but it is the furthest removed from the temple, being located in the
far north. (Ez 48)
Ephraim is not mentioned by name. Joseph is mentioned, but Joseph was
represented by two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. It may be that since the
tribe of Manasseh is mentioned, by elimination, the tribe of Joseph must
mean the tribe of Ephraim. Ephraim, however, was also associated with great
idolatry. (Hos 4:17)
There is also the possibility that the omission of Dan and Ephraim and the
inclusion of Levi and Joseph are not as significant as we may think, perhaps
mainly motivated to maintain symmetry, for in the end, no tribe is lost.
The ministry of the 144,000 is no doubt evangelistic in nature. Isaiah
described a worldwide Jewish mission to the Gentiles. The context is
immediately before the gathering of the Jews for the millennial age...
After these things The connecting link, after these things, is
chronological and, combined with their close placement, shows a cause and
effect relationship between the vision of sealing of the 144,000 Jews and
that of the great multitude of saved Gentiles and Jews - see below..
behold [idou] a form of "to see" used to grab attention and/or to
express amazement.
a great multitude which no one could number A second group who will
survive the time of God's wrath, the faithful who come out of the Great
Tribulation, an innumerable company of people who come to faith in Christ
during the time of the end.
of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues A fourfold designation
emphasizing the global origin of this group from every nation which must
include Israel and from all tribes which would include the 12 tribes of
Israel. Undoubtedly this will include redeemed Jews beyond the 144,000.
stood before the throne The throne in v.9 is the same throne
introduced in chapter 4. This multitude is in heaven, not on earth yet. They
are here in their intermediate state without their resurrection bodies since
the resurrection of Tribulation believers is not until after the
Tribulation. (Rev 20:4; Dan 12:1-2) We will see them on earth later in this
same chapter.
clothed in white robes representing the imputed righteousness of
Christ. This means they are in Him and share in His righteousness as
justified saints. As verses 14 and 15 show, this is why they have immediate
access into God's presence.
palm branches Waving of palm branches became a symbol of national
victory, liberation and blessing and was part of Jesus' triumphal entry into
Jerusalem (John 12:12-16) Now, I believe they wave palm branches in
anticipation of His return to Jerusalem.
to our God . . . and to the Lamb The Son is worshiped on an equal
basis with the Father (John 5:23) Also note that, as in v.9, the words
"Lamb" and "throne" are separated by the word "and."
blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, might The
blessing is sevenfold indicating perfect completeness.
where have they come from? They are new arrivals in heaven, they were
not among the multitude of the redeemed worshiping the Lamb when He first
took the scroll from the Father (Rev 5:9)
the ones who come out [erchomenoi] The tense indicates they are
continually coming out, probably the result of ongoing persecution resulting
in martyrdom, although the text does not explicitly indicate martyrdom.
These believers are those who come to faith after the rapture of the Church.
before the throne of God The entire focus of scripture, from Genesis
to Revelation is the restoration of man to full intimacy with God.
dwell (encamp) among them; spread His tabernacle over them Dwell is [skhnwsei]
Literally "live or camp in a tent." Used by John of Jesus' incarnation when
"the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) This word only
appears in the New Testament in John's gospel and Revelation. Tents were
places of rest and protection from adverse elements, and in the Old
Testament the Tabernacle was a place of worship.
When does this occur? Does this begin when the great multitude is in
heaven or is this looking forward to the millennial reign of Christ and
beyond? There are many and varied explanations. I believe it is a bit of
both.
In v.9, the multitude is "standing before the throne AND the Lamb" This is
the same throne as the "throne of God," which is the throne of the Father,
reigning over all the universe, as we have seen throughout this book thus
far. The scene is in heaven. The Lamb is not seated on this throne. Again,
in v. 10 praises as directed to "God who sits on the throne AND the Lamb."
The throne is the same and the scene is still in heaven.
But in v. 15, "He who sits on the throne," can only be a reference to the
throne of Jesus on earth. In the letter to the Laodicean church, Jesus said,
"He who overcomes I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, as I
overcame and sat down with My father on His throne." This is "the throne of
his father, David," which was promised in the annunciation to Mary, recorded
in Luke 1:32.
The temple mentioned in v.15, is most plausibly the millennial temple to be
built in Jerusalem. Ezekiel describes it in the closing chapters of his
prophecy. The temple where nations come to worship and Christ reigns on
earth 1,000 years. Read Micah 4:1-6 and see the government of God centered
in Jerusalem; justice flowing out from there to all the earth; the nations
bringing their tribute; and men beating their swords into plowshares and
their spears into pruning hooks and will make war no more. Peace will come
at last to all the earth.
Verse 15 says, "they serve the Lord day and night." There is no day or night
in heaven. This is surely an earthly scene. He who sits on the throne (the
throne of David), will spread his "tabernacle" (literally), over them and
never again will they hunger or thirst, etc. This is clearly a description
of the of millennial bliss.
So, when did the scene transition from heaven to earth? I believe the word
"Then," in v. 13 is the turning point. there is an abrupt change in voice
and tone. It is almost as if we have been transported to the midst of an
ongoing conversation. "One of the elders answered..." With the question!
Certainly, there is a sense of change of scene. John is seeing a panoramic
view spanning the entire Tribulation and beyond. I believe the internal
evidence of his report weighs heavily on the side of verses 13-17 referring
to earthly events as the millennium begins.
The Promise Fulfilled Abraham was promised, "All nations shall be blessed
because of you." (Gen 22:18) In that multitude will be thousands of Gentiles
who serve the Lord day and night in relationship to the temple, ministering
throughout the whole earth. (Isa 66:20-21)
A favorite hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," voices the attitude the
Church is to have toward Israel. Paul wrote, "All Israel shall be saved."
(Rom 11:26) All the generation that are on earth when Jesus returns shall be
redeemed. Zechariah also describes it.
Click below to hear and download Aaron Shust's beautiful
rendition of
O come, O come, Emmanuel
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O come, O come, Emmanuel |
