[Revelation 7]

The plot thickens in the seventh chapter. A superficial reading could be confusing and discouraging. Winds and angels, numbers and multitudes, marks and seals, loud voices and worship songs are all combined to describe cosmic history in a few words. Hang in there, go slowly and grasp the metaphors and symbols to understand and enjoy. Remember, we have anointed minds and blessed understanding. 

Instead of groping for a clear picture, relax and “hear” the still, small voice of your Father and His kind words of encouragement. He is very aware of your current position in His Word and He will enlighten to your mind and communicate to your heart.

After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. ² Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, ³ saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

After these things I saw – new vision.  The scene from another angle.  It is actually a prelude to the opening of the seals and an interlude for the opening of the seventh seal.

Four corners – sovereignty over the whole earth. (Jeremiah 49:36; Daniel 8:8; 11:4; Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27)

The winds depict the four horsemen.  It is another way of symbolizing the consequences of sin.  (Zechariah 6:5)  Earth, sea and trees – the world we live in – life on earth.

It was a common belief amongst the Jews that angels control the earth. They believed the earth to be square and flat. The winds from north, south, east and west were good, but winds blowing diagonally across the earth were bad. They knew the angel of fire as mentioned in Revelation 14:18 and the angel of waters as in Revelation 16:5. They also believed that angels could hold back judgment, but only on a command from God.

The Sirocco was known as an especially dreadful wind. It was a whirlwind that withered vegetation and destroyed the harvest. (Zechariah 6:1-5, Nahum 1:3,4, Psalm 18:15, Isaiah 40:7,24, 66:15)

Psalm (83:13) declares that God will destroy his enemies as stubble before the wind. Other scriptures talk about the destruction of fertility by the wind. [Jeremiah 23:19, 30:23. Hosea 13:15]

We might know more about the weather patterns, but we should always appreciate that God is in control.

The control of the angels holds the winds and blocks harm until salvation is sealed over the godly. The winds are symbolic of evil forces. The east was always regarded as the source of blessing, the rising of the sun. The sun symbolizes the giving of light and life. God promises life and light within strife and adversity.

We serve the living God, in contrast to idols made by human hands, more than enough against the overwhelming evil forces. [Isaiah 44:9-17, 2 Kings 18: 17-37]

We are privileged to carry the seal or mark of the living God, so that we are protected from evil. We read about the man clothed in linen, with a scribe’s writing case at his side who marks the foreheads of the faithful in Ezekiel 9: 1-7, before judgment strikes the city.  The Hebrews had the mark of blood on the doorposts in Egypt – protected from judgment. 

The goal of the seal is to protect faith and salvation, not necessarily physical harm.  We carry the name of God on our foreheads – way of thinking that determines actions.  We are the representatives of heaven on earth.  We have to mirror God and his Kingdom on earth in the midst of brokenness and evil.  (Revelation 14:1; 2 Timothy 2:19)

In ancient times the king’s seal was very significant. The king wore a signet ring to authenticate documents and property. It was an undisputed authoritative representation of the King’s command and trust. [Genesis 41:42 – Joseph, Esther 3:10,8:2]

The lion’s den was sealed (Daniel 6:17) as was Jesus’ tomb. (Matthew 27:66). It indicated a source of possession for merchants and vineyards.

To the early church the seal was baptism. In the early church people were always baptized wearing white clothes. [Zechariah 3:4]

Our baptism is sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is the full package of salvation and protection from evil in this world.  The seal, according to 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 1:3 and 4:30 is the Holy Spirit.  It indicates the full package of salvation by the Blood of Christ.  Spiritual protection is the focus.  (Revelation 12:11)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13, NIV)

A seal indicates ownership and authority.  A slave was marked on his forehead.  We share in God’s protective Presence.

We are sealed from God’s wrath, not from tribulation and death. We are not exempt from distress on earth, but safely brought through. We are the testimony to the world. The church is the warning, the assurance and the promise – all at the same time. We live and walk side by side with the unbeliever, but plugged into the Source of life, to live as an example of a life of excellence within the brokenness and strife.

And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

⁵ of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
⁶ of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
⁷ of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
⁸ of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

The 144 000 is a symbol of completeness. The military division of the camp of Israel was 1000, thus 10x10x10, which is a perfect cube, symbolic of enough. The number 144 is 12×12, which includes the elders – the tribes and the apostles. It is the symbol of the faithful remnant of the Old and the New Testaments. 

It is the complete spiritual Israel. [Galatians 6:16, Revelation 14:1-5]

The number is inclusive and not limited. It depicts multiplication. They are “purchased from the earth” (14:3-4) and purchased by the Blood (5:9). 

The tribes are sealed like the stones of the ephod of the High Priest. There was a gold plate on Aaron’s forehead “like the engravings of a seal”.  There was written – Holy to the Lord. (Exodus 28:36,38)  The stones reappear in Revelation 21:19-20.

Not all Jews belong to Israel, according to Romans 9:6-8:

It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.

We are Abraham’s offspring in Christ. [Galatians 3:29, 6:16]

The tribes mentioned in Revelation 7 are in no particular order. Judah is first as the source of Jesus. Dan is omitted because of idolatry and judgment (Genesis 49:17) and regarded as the enemy (Jeremiah 8:16). Manasseh (Joseph’s son) is in this list.

The tribes were originally organized as military order for battle and the goal was the Promised Land.  Here we are engaged in battle and we conquer in the same way the Lamb conquered – by faith and witnessing through suffering – the way of the Cross. The remnant of the tribes, the Church with all the faithful through all ages, is organized as a military rampart against evil.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”

¹⁴ And I said to him,  “Sir, you know.”

So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. ¹⁶ They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; ¹⁷ for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Verses 9 -17 talk about the blessed state of the redeemed in heaven. It is the church triumphant, with the great cloud of witnesses.

(Hebrews 12:1) Heaven is the Presence of God on earth, in other words life in the Kingdom of God, the invisible kingdom established by Jesus here and now.  After the Second Coming there would be no need to be cared for by our Shepherd.

The number of the martyrs is too great to count. Israel blesses every nation on earth. [Genesis 15:5, 32:12] It is a great multitude from many nations and many tongues.

John hears the number of the sealed tribes of Israel and then sees an innumerable number before him. He hears about the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (5:5) then sees the Lamb (5:6).  The Lion of Judah represents the tribes and the Lamb represents the multitude ransomed from every nation and language who have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. (7:14)  This further supports the notion that Chapter 7 is and prelude and an interlude. 

People are standing – position of honour to receive reward.  Later they are standing on the sea of glass – (15:2).  

Christ is also standing in the Throne room – (5:6) and He stood up for Stephan in Acts 7:55 ,56 welcoming the first martyr into his Glory.

They will have palms and white robes, illustrating their victory and jubilation, filled with praise and worship for the Source of Salvation. The palm branches remind of the Feast of the Tabernacles when they build huts of palm branches to commemorate the provision of God in the desert.  He will provide in tribulation – the desert.

The true Israel celebrates the eschatological Feast of the Tabernacles – the last feast on the calendar.  The Feast continues in heaven – there is no break in feasting.  The Feasting takes place to celebrate testimony – provision and protection in the wilderness.

The song of praise unites all of heaven.  The saints are joined by the angels, the elders and the four living creatures. 

A sevenfold ascription of adoration flows in praise:

Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and might combined with everlasting.

Power can be described by 4 words in Greek:

• koach – capacity, ability
• exousia – authority, right to act
• dunamis – might, great force
• kratos – effective power shown in reigning

All the words used are in the present participle tense, expressing continuous and repeated action. Worship is not a once-for-all. Tribulation is taking place throughout the Church age and still the Church is triumphant.

The great tribulation is an acceleration and intensification of troublesome times climaxing in the second coming of Jesus.  (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21)  The tribulation will purify the Church. (Daniel 11:30-39,44; 12:10)  Some of the faithful will fall away. (Daniel 11:32,34 and as seen in the churches of Chapter 2&3 except Smyrna and Philadelphia)  The tribulation is not confined to the time before Christ’s return.  It commences at the birth of the Church and continues throughout the Church age.

• John sees the prophecy of Daniel fulfilled in Christ. 
• Jesus sees the prophecy of Daniel fulfilled in his own ministry and resurrection. (John 5:24-29)  This is the reference to the “first resurrection”. (20:6)
• In Revelation 1:9; 2:9-10,22 the tribulation is referred to as the present reality.  The hour of testing” (3:10) refers to Daniel 12:1 and it appears to include the entire inter-advent period (time between the first and second coming of Jesus).
• Jesus sees the tribulation as present reality in John 16:33: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
• Twenty one of the twenty-three uses of the word tribulation by Paul refer to present reality.

Only through the Blood can we be made righteous and cleansed from sin. The blood covers the sacrifice for the past (forgiveness of sins), the present (peace and salvation through faith) and the future (guaranteed glory with Christ). Ancient mysticism involved the blood of sacrificial animals to wash over a person.

They are sheltered by the presence of God. He will spread His tabernacle over them. (Isaiah 4:5,6)  

…then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. ⁶ And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.

The promise of His presence is open to all, also women and the Gentiles. The Shechinah was His visible presence like a tent.  At the time of Jesus the Temple separated the places for the gentiles and the women. It explains Jesus’ anger and His highly controversial cleansing. He saw that the only Temple activity that a Gentile could ever see is money-changing and trade, nothing even remotely in the direction of prayer and worship, or an indication of what God is like. (Matthew 21:12)

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. ²⁷ My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  (Ezekiel 37:26-27)

God promises restoration and security to his people in the midst of all trials and tribulations.

The result of the Tabernacle of God is that the other nations will see what kind of God He is and desire to serve him.  That is his goal.  The heart of God is to provide in tribulation.

The Lamb is the Shepherd – a well-known image in the ancient world. [Psalm 23, Isaiah 25:8 Ezekiel 34:24] He will care for His sheep with fountains of the water of life – no lack, no thirst. (Isaiah 55:1)

These verses are full of encouragement and hope fulfilled into the best possible scenario – victory in spite of tribulation. Their weeping is comforted. They will shout of triumph as in the days of Jericho.

Deliverance is not escape, but conquest.

God brings them triumphantly through trouble. Life is not easy, but life is great. This is the true Christian hope: not to be saved from trouble and distress, but to endure and to be guaranteed the glory of reward – Jude 24.

Their hunger and thirst for righteousness, will be filled. (Matthew 5)

Jesus is the Bread of Life. In Him there is no hunger or thirst. (John 6:35)

…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

They will neither hunger nor thirst,

    nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them.

He who has compassion on them will guide them

    and lead them beside springs of water. (Isaiah 49:10)

He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.  (Isaiah 25:8)

A clear prophecy of the reign of the Messiah in the time of tribulation.  There will be tears of brokenness but He will wipe the tears away and comfort like no other.

The divine shepherd.

This is a precious picture in any age; but it was more meaningful in Palestine than it can ever be to those who live in cities. Judaea was like a narrow plateau with dangerous country on either side. It was only a very few miles across, with on one side the grim cliffs and ravines leading down to the Dead Sea and on the other the drop to the wild country of the Shephelah. 

There were no fences or walls and the shepherd had to be ever on the watch for straying sheep. George Adam Smith describes the eastern shepherd. “With us sheep are often left to themselves; I do not remember to have seen in the East a flock without a shepherd. In such a landscape as Judaea, where a day’s pasture is thinly scattered over an unfenced track, covered with delusive paths, still frequented by wild beasts, and rolling into the desert, the man and his character are indispensable. 

On some high moor, across which at night hyenas howl, when you met him sleepless, far-sighted, weather-beaten, armed, leaning on his staff, and looking out over his scattered sheep, everyone on his heart.  In the night he gathered them in a pen that he built where he sleeps across the entrance.  You can  understand why the shepherd of Judaea sprang to the front in his people’s history; why they gave his name to their king, and made him the symbol of Providence; why Christ took him as the type of self-sacrifice.”

Here we have the two great functions of the Divine Shepherd. He leads to fountains of living waters. As the psalmist had it: “He leads me beside still waters” (Psalms 23:2). “With thee is the fountain of life” (Psalms 36:9). 

Without water the flock would perish; and in Palestine the wells were few and far between. He also knew calm waters where sudden rapids would not endanger thirsty sheep. That the Divine Shepherd leads to wells of water is the symbol that he gives us the things without which life cannot survive.

He wipes the tear from every eye. As he nourishes our bodies so he also comforts our hearts; without the presence and the comfort of God the sorrows of life would be unbearable, and without the strength of God there are times in life when we could never go on.

The Divine Shepherd gives us nourishment for our bodies and comfort for our hearts. With Jesus Christ as Shepherd nothing can happen to us, which we cannot bear.

To be shepherded is the reward for keeping the faith through tribulation.  God will never abandon his people even in the most trying circumstances and periods of testing.

The saints wearing white has come out of great tribulation in the Church age and they all gather to feast around the Throne.

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