Revelation Study

Revelation Study — Chapter 7

Revelation 7:1 "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree."

"After these things" does not necessarily indicate a chronological order, but is saying that the next thing John saw was what is here stated. "This is what I saw next." Nearly all commentators agree that this chapter is somewhat of an interlude. A pause in which a comprehensive picture is showed John of some past happenings leading up to the things that are to be revealed.

Remember, angels are messengers. Not necessarily heavenly messengers and here we find them in contrast to the angel that shall appear. These are destructive messengers. They have control of the destructive forces that can "hurt" or destroy and, at this time, they are awaiting the signal to let these forces go. The "four corners of the earth" must be considered in harmony with what is being discussed. It could be the entire world; it could be the entire Roman empire; or it could be and probably is at this time indicative of the Judean world. The destruction would be upon national Israel.

Vss 2-3 "And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

Here comes the heavenly messenger, sealed or authorized by God, and he gives God's message to the other four angels. Remember, God has used nations, on many occasions, to bring about his will. Something must be done first. Some must be sealed or stamped with God's approving favor. Who are they?

Vss 4-10 "And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon ere sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."

There are many ideas concerning who the 144,000 are. The New Testament tells of some under the law of Moses who were faithful. They very likely are the ones we read of in chapter 6 of whom it was said, "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:" These would be cleansed of their sins when Christ died on the cross. The Old Testament sacrifices could not take away sin. These were all shadows of that which was to come. The Hebrew writer says that "without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). But he further states that the blood of the bulls and goats of the Old Testament was not the blood that brought remission; it was the blood of Christ. So, we see 144,000 OT worthies standing justified. These are the ones spoken of in Hebrews 12:23, "the spirits of just men made perfect." The numbering would end at the cross. The numbers are relative and figurative. The 144,000 were a small number as we look at the past history of Israel. So small that they could easily be numbered. The number also indicates a fixed number. There would be this many and no more. There is some discussion among scholars concerning the inconsistency of the naming of the tribes, but that really has nothing to do with the scene John is looking upon.

Then the others, the multitude, who were sealed. They were numberless. Not that God could not tell us the exact number but that number was not yet complete and would not be until the last one on earth becomes obedient to the gospel of Christ and, they too, undergo tribulation. The language also indicates a by far greater number than the 144,000.

Vss 11-12 "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

Those that we saw around the throne before, who continually worship and praise God, are still there and they add their voices together in praise concerning these sealed ones and say, "Amen" denoting their agreement with what is taking place.

Vss 13-17 "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

The question is asked and answered, "Who are these?" The elder's answer was probably the answer I gave in my comments on verses 4-10. Another way to look at would be to answer, "the universal church, but even that explanation would have to be qualified."

The last few verses are, in symbolic language, simply those things that come to the saints of God that we read of in Ephesians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." More on that in chapter 21.