SCRIPTURE READING: Revelation 7:1-17

GOLDEN TEXT:  Revelation 7:10

1. Did the apostle John see four angels holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree? (Revelation 7:1.)

Note: Revelation 7 is an inset chapter between the sixth seal of Revelation 6 and the seventh seal of Revelation 8. The Book of Revelation is about Jesus Christ revealing information and prophecy of which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly take place (Revelation 1:1). So now Jesus is revealing some important information.

2. Did John, then see another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God? (Revelation 7:2.) Did this angel cry with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea? (Same verse.)

3. Did the angel say: "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads?" (Revelation 7:3.)

Note: Notice the word ‘harm’. There has already been a certain amount of harm afflicted upon the earth and mankind with the first six seals of false religion, war, famine, pestilence, tribulation and the heavenly signs and now with the seventh seal almost ready to be unleashed of which it is composed of seven trumpet plagues of which will cause much more harm.

4. Will the angels of God seal the servants of God on their foreheads? (Rev. 7:3.)

Note: The word ‘on’ is supplied by the translators of the Bible because there is no Greek word of which it has been translated from. The King James Version uses the phrase ‘in’ their foreheads. The word ‘on’ would imply something like a mark on the external part of the forehead, whereas the word ‘in’ would imply internally which would be in your conscience or your mind which affects your will. The Book of Revelation talks a good bit about the Mark of the Beast being ‘on’ the forehead. The warning of Jesus Christ is that if a person takes on the Mark of the Beast, he will have to partake of the seven last plagues (Revelation 14:9-10.)

5. Did John hear the number of the ‘servants of God’ that were sealed? (Revelation 7:4-8.) How many were there and who were they? (Same verse.)

Note: There was total of one hundred and forty-four thousand with twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. An interesting point is that the tribe of Dan is not in the list but Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph is in the list.

Note: Let’s take a look at the word ‘seal’. Strong’s Concordance defines the word ‘seal’ as: # 4972 "sphragizo, sfrag-id'-zo; from G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (lit. or fig.); by implying to keep secret, to attest:--(set a, set to) seal up."

The word ‘seal’ implies that God is going to preserve and physically protect these 144,000 (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.) Notice in Revelation 7:3 that it is talking about not harming the physical earth, sea and trees. This is talking about physically protecting them from the Great Tribulation which is physical. This passage specifically says that this group of 144,000 is from the twelve tribes of Israel. Let’s not get this group of 144,000 mixed up with the 144,000 of Revelation 14, which is referring to the Bride of Christ or the firstfruits of God (the Church).

6. Why would God want to protect 144,000 (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel)? Will the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ sit on thrones judging the physical twelve tribes of Israel in the millennial kingdom age on the earth? (Luke 22:28-30.) Did Jesus say that the Saints (the Church) will be kings and priests and that we will reign on the earth? (Rev. 5:10.)

Note: Jesus told His apostles at His last Passover here on the earth: "You may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." With all of the horrendous war, death and destruction that is going to come upon this earth and upon sinning mankind, from all of the seven seals, seven trumpet plagues and the seven last plagues, God needs to protect this group of 144,000 through the Great Tribulation so that prophecy can be fulfilled.

7. Was Israel unfaithful to God? (Ezekiel 39:23.) Was Judah unfaithful to God? (2 Chronicles 28:19.) Will there be impending judgments on Israel and Judah? (Hosea 5:1-15.) Will Israel finally be restored to God? (Hosea 14:1-9.) The apostle Paul talked about Israel past (Romans 9), Israel present (Romans 10) and Israel future (Romans 11.) Did Paul say that a remnant of Israel would be saved? (Romans 9:27.) Did he also say that all of Israel would be saved? (Romans 11:26.)

8. Did John see a great multitude that no one could number of all of the nations? (Revelation 7:9.) Were they standing before God’s throne and the Lamb (Jesus Christ)? (Same verse.) Were they clothed in white robes? (Same verse.) Do the white robes picture righteousness? (Revelation 19:8.) How big is a great multitude? (Matthew 14:14-21, 26:47.)

Note: Jesus fed a great multitude of five thousand men plus women and children, which could have been a total of fifteen thousand. After the Passover, Jesus and His disciples when up to Gethsemane and then later Judas Iscariot came with a great multitude. How many were in this great multitude? Perhaps one hundred?

How come no one could number the great multitude? God has given man free moral agency, which means that man can repent and choose salvation or not to. It is amazing as you read in the prophecies that man would rather blaspheme God than to repent. (Revelation 6:15-16, 16:9.)

9. Where did this great multitude, who were arrayed in white robes, come from? (Revelation 7:13-14.) How did they make their robes white? (Verse 14.)

10. Will the great multitude serve God day and night in His temple? (Revelation 7:15.) Will Jesus Christ shepherd them spiritually to living fountains of water? (Rev. 7:17.)

Note: This great multitude with their white robes will be wearing the proper wedding attire for the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and the Saints (the Church).

(Revelation 7:10 NKJV) "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

4.) (Revelation 14:9-10 NKJV) Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, {10} "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

6.) (Luke 22:28-30 NKJV) "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. {29} "And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, {30} "that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

(Revelation 5:10 NKJV) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

7.) (Ezekiel 39:23 NKJV) "The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

(2 Chronicles 28:19 NKJV) For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the LORD.

Judgment Against Israel

(Hosea 5 NKJV) "Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For yours is the judgment, Because you have been a snare to Mizpah And a net spread on Tabor. {2} The revolters are deeply involved in slaughter, Though I rebuke them all. {3} I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled. {4} "They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the LORD. {5} The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. {6} "With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. {7} They have dealt treacherously with the LORD, For they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage. {8} "Blow the ram's horn in Gibeah, The trumpet in Ramah! Cry aloud at Beth Aven, 'Look behind you, O Benjamin!' {9} Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure. {10} "The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out my wrath on them like water. {11} Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept. {12} Therefore I will be to Ephraim like a moth, And to the house of Judah like rottenness. {13} "When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound. {14} For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue. {15} I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

Repentance to Bring Blessing

(Hosea 14 NKJV) O Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; {2} Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. {3} Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy." {4} "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. {5} I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. {6} His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. {7} Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. {8} "Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me." {9} Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

(Romans 9:27 NKJV) Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved.

(Romans 11:26 NKJV) And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

8.) (Revelation 19:8 KJV) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

(Matthew 14:14-21 NKJV) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. {15} When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." {16} But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." {17} And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." {18} He said, "Bring them here to Me." {19} Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. {20} So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. {21} Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Arrested

(Matthew 26:47 NKJV) And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

(Revelation 6:15-16 NKJV) And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, {16} and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

(Revelation 16:9 NKJV) And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.