In him [Jesus] you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14
Before we begin today’s sermon, let’s take a moment to consider the dual setting of Revelation. We must keep in mind that the various scenes described in John’s vision actually take place in 2 different locations. He is able to see both. Many of them occur in Heaven, or more specifically, in God’s glorious throne room. Others, however, transpire upon the earth. In order to best understand all that is being discussed, we must keep this distinction clear in our heads.
The 4 horsemen of the apocalypse were originally dispatched from the heavenly throne room and subsequently brought their destruction to the earth. The souls of the martyrs who cried out to God were seen “under the altar” in Heaven. The catastrophic events of the Day of the LORD’s wrath took place on earth. We see this back and forth throughout Revelation. Remember, when John is describing scenes in Heaven the Tribulation is still raging on earth. Likewise, when he talks about judgments occurring on earth, God is still actively orchestrating events in Heaven.
This morning we will briefly digress from our sequential discussion of the 7 seals. An entire chapter is inserted after the breaking of the 6th seal and before the breaking of the 7th seal. This chapter will be the topic of today’s sermon.
I. A PAUSE IN THE DEVASTATION (Revelation 7:1-3)
After seeing the terror that befell the people of earth following the opening of the 6th seal, John looked and beheld 4 angels stationed at the 4 corners of the earth. Obviously he was using a figurative expression as the earth is round and does not have corners. These angels were holding back the winds temporarily to prevent the destruction that was forthcoming. As they did so, another angel ascended from the horizon like the rising of the sun. This angel was holding the seal of God. He called out to the other 4, instructing them not to release the harmful winds until after the LORD’s servants had been sealed.
I see a connection between the scene described here and the first 4 trumpet judgments which will be revealed later in chapter 8. The first 4 trumpet judgments have a direct environmental impact on the earth, trees, and sea (or waters) - the very things that are being temporarily protected here. Thus, from my perspective, these few verses describe a brief pause in the action during which these 4 angels withhold the forthcoming trumpet judgments.
II. THE 144,000 ARE SEALED (Revelation 7:4-8)
The angel who held God’s stamp then proceeded to seal 144,000 Jews. 12,000 were sealed from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. These tribes included Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Naphtali, Gad, Issachar, Asher, Zebulun, Manasseh, Joseph, and Benjamin. In this listing, the tribe of Joseph includes and represents the tribe of Ephraim. Notice that the tribe of Dan is left out (replaced by Levi), likely due to their extreme wickedness and idolatry. These 144,000 were “sealed” with God’s special protection from the horrors of the Tribulation. This sealing ceremony logically occurred on the earth.
There is some confusion regarding the identity of these 144,000. Some have speculated that they are not Jews at all. The Jehovah’s Witnesses go so far as to teach that only these 144,000 people will go to Heaven and reign with Christ. Opinions abound on this subject. As for me, I see no reason to identify these people symbolically. It clearly states that they are Jews selected from the 12 tribes of Israel. Therefore I, as well as most other respected commentators, accept the literal interpretation.
As for the timing of this event, it is helpful to consider the role of the Antichrist. During the first half of the Tribulation, he will honor the treaty and be at peace with Israel and the Jewish people. He will betray Israel at the midpoint and turn against her during the last half of the Tribulation. Therefore, it seems most reasonable that these 144,000 Jews would need God’s protection from the Antichrist during the final 3 ½ years. I believe these redeemed Jews will be God’s messengers on the earth throughout the Great Tribulation. Many others will be saved as a result of their ministry, yet they alone will possess God’s protective seal.
III. THE TRIBULATION SAINTS PRAISE GOD (Revelation 7:9-17)
John then returned his attention to Heaven once again where he saw a great and numberless multitude of people from all nations, tribes, and tongues standing before Jesus and His Father’s throne. They were wearing white robes, holding palm branches, and worshiping God saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All of the angels who were present, along with the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures, fell down and began worshiping as well.
After a brief back and forth, one of the 24 elders told John that this multitude of people had come out of the “great tribulation”. They had been washed in the blood of the Lamb and made righteous, symbolized by the white robes they wore. They had become servants in God’s heavenly temple. This verse indicates that there was a heavenly temple (or tabernacle) in John’s vision, perhaps beside or adjacent to the throne room. Furthermore, these people would no longer have to endure human suffering, but rather would enjoy God’s favor and blessing.
There seems to be some continuity between this passage and the aforementioned description of the 144,000 sealed Jews. Perhaps this great multitude of people were saved through the evangelistic efforts of the 144,000 during The Great Tribulation. They, however, did not enjoy God’s physical protection from the Antichrist or other such persecutions. When they were killed their souls went on to Heaven.
I believe that these Tribulation Saints are the same group (though increasing in number) as the martyrs first mentioned back in chapter 6. They are still clothed in the white robes that were originally given to them. The notable difference is that these saints are no longer crying out for justice at the base of the altar. Instead, they are now standing before God’s throne and worshiping Him. This seems to indicate a growing satisfaction on their part, perhaps because they know that God’s vengeance upon His adversaries is imminent. To me, their behavior places this scene closer to the end of the Great Tribulation.
CONCLUSION
Let me close today by trying to tie all of this information together as I understand it. During the first half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will not yet have fully consolidated his power. He will still be at peace with Israel. However, the nations at large will face ever intensifying warfare, famine, and so forth. There will be people during these years who are martyred for their faith in God, perhaps by these other world leaders. The souls of these Tribulation martyrs will cry out in Heaven for justice.
When the Antichrist finally reaches his full strength and fiercely turns against the Jews, God will place His special protection over 144,000 of them to serve as His witnesses during The Great Tribulation. As a result of their ministry, many people from all nations and ethnicities will be saved. Most of them will be killed also, and will join their fellow Tribulation Saints in Heaven. However, as the tribulation nears its end these pleading saints will break out in worship, anticipating the nearness of God’s judgment upon His enemies.
Next week we will resume our discussion of the Lamb and the scroll and discover what happens when Jesus breaks the 7th seal. We will also introduce a new series of judgments and begin exploring them. In the meantime, remember that God always preserves a remnant of His people. Even in the worst of times, He ensures that His word remains and goes forth to those who would receive it.
Before we begin today’s sermon, let’s take a moment to consider the dual setting of Revelation. We must keep in mind that the various scenes described in John’s vision actually take place in 2 different locations. He is able to see both. Many of them occur in Heaven, or more specifically, in God’s glorious throne room. Others, however, transpire upon the earth. In order to best understand all that is being discussed, we must keep this distinction clear in our heads.
The 4 horsemen of the apocalypse were originally dispatched from the heavenly throne room and subsequently brought their destruction to the earth. The souls of the martyrs who cried out to God were seen “under the altar” in Heaven. The catastrophic events of the Day of the LORD’s wrath took place on earth. We see this back and forth throughout Revelation. Remember, when John is describing scenes in Heaven the Tribulation is still raging on earth. Likewise, when he talks about judgments occurring on earth, God is still actively orchestrating events in Heaven.
This morning we will briefly digress from our sequential discussion of the 7 seals. An entire chapter is inserted after the breaking of the 6th seal and before the breaking of the 7th seal. This chapter will be the topic of today’s sermon.
I. A PAUSE IN THE DEVASTATION (Revelation 7:1-3)
After seeing the terror that befell the people of earth following the opening of the 6th seal, John looked and beheld 4 angels stationed at the 4 corners of the earth. Obviously he was using a figurative expression as the earth is round and does not have corners. These angels were holding back the winds temporarily to prevent the destruction that was forthcoming. As they did so, another angel ascended from the horizon like the rising of the sun. This angel was holding the seal of God. He called out to the other 4, instructing them not to release the harmful winds until after the LORD’s servants had been sealed.
I see a connection between the scene described here and the first 4 trumpet judgments which will be revealed later in chapter 8. The first 4 trumpet judgments have a direct environmental impact on the earth, trees, and sea (or waters) - the very things that are being temporarily protected here. Thus, from my perspective, these few verses describe a brief pause in the action during which these 4 angels withhold the forthcoming trumpet judgments.
II. THE 144,000 ARE SEALED (Revelation 7:4-8)
The angel who held God’s stamp then proceeded to seal 144,000 Jews. 12,000 were sealed from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. These tribes included Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Naphtali, Gad, Issachar, Asher, Zebulun, Manasseh, Joseph, and Benjamin. In this listing, the tribe of Joseph includes and represents the tribe of Ephraim. Notice that the tribe of Dan is left out (replaced by Levi), likely due to their extreme wickedness and idolatry. These 144,000 were “sealed” with God’s special protection from the horrors of the Tribulation. This sealing ceremony logically occurred on the earth.
There is some confusion regarding the identity of these 144,000. Some have speculated that they are not Jews at all. The Jehovah’s Witnesses go so far as to teach that only these 144,000 people will go to Heaven and reign with Christ. Opinions abound on this subject. As for me, I see no reason to identify these people symbolically. It clearly states that they are Jews selected from the 12 tribes of Israel. Therefore I, as well as most other respected commentators, accept the literal interpretation.
As for the timing of this event, it is helpful to consider the role of the Antichrist. During the first half of the Tribulation, he will honor the treaty and be at peace with Israel and the Jewish people. He will betray Israel at the midpoint and turn against her during the last half of the Tribulation. Therefore, it seems most reasonable that these 144,000 Jews would need God’s protection from the Antichrist during the final 3 ½ years. I believe these redeemed Jews will be God’s messengers on the earth throughout the Great Tribulation. Many others will be saved as a result of their ministry, yet they alone will possess God’s protective seal.
III. THE TRIBULATION SAINTS PRAISE GOD (Revelation 7:9-17)
John then returned his attention to Heaven once again where he saw a great and numberless multitude of people from all nations, tribes, and tongues standing before Jesus and His Father’s throne. They were wearing white robes, holding palm branches, and worshiping God saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All of the angels who were present, along with the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures, fell down and began worshiping as well.
After a brief back and forth, one of the 24 elders told John that this multitude of people had come out of the “great tribulation”. They had been washed in the blood of the Lamb and made righteous, symbolized by the white robes they wore. They had become servants in God’s heavenly temple. This verse indicates that there was a heavenly temple (or tabernacle) in John’s vision, perhaps beside or adjacent to the throne room. Furthermore, these people would no longer have to endure human suffering, but rather would enjoy God’s favor and blessing.
There seems to be some continuity between this passage and the aforementioned description of the 144,000 sealed Jews. Perhaps this great multitude of people were saved through the evangelistic efforts of the 144,000 during The Great Tribulation. They, however, did not enjoy God’s physical protection from the Antichrist or other such persecutions. When they were killed their souls went on to Heaven.
I believe that these Tribulation Saints are the same group (though increasing in number) as the martyrs first mentioned back in chapter 6. They are still clothed in the white robes that were originally given to them. The notable difference is that these saints are no longer crying out for justice at the base of the altar. Instead, they are now standing before God’s throne and worshiping Him. This seems to indicate a growing satisfaction on their part, perhaps because they know that God’s vengeance upon His adversaries is imminent. To me, their behavior places this scene closer to the end of the Great Tribulation.
CONCLUSION
Let me close today by trying to tie all of this information together as I understand it. During the first half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will not yet have fully consolidated his power. He will still be at peace with Israel. However, the nations at large will face ever intensifying warfare, famine, and so forth. There will be people during these years who are martyred for their faith in God, perhaps by these other world leaders. The souls of these Tribulation martyrs will cry out in Heaven for justice.
When the Antichrist finally reaches his full strength and fiercely turns against the Jews, God will place His special protection over 144,000 of them to serve as His witnesses during The Great Tribulation. As a result of their ministry, many people from all nations and ethnicities will be saved. Most of them will be killed also, and will join their fellow Tribulation Saints in Heaven. However, as the tribulation nears its end these pleading saints will break out in worship, anticipating the nearness of God’s judgment upon His enemies.
Next week we will resume our discussion of the Lamb and the scroll and discover what happens when Jesus breaks the 7th seal. We will also introduce a new series of judgments and begin exploring them. In the meantime, remember that God always preserves a remnant of His people. Even in the worst of times, He ensures that His word remains and goes forth to those who would receive it.