Do You Want to Know the Future?
Contents Revelation 7 Next Study
No.14.
We will now look in more detail at the chapter that is in parenthesis between the sixth and the seventh seal. It is an interesting study.
As you saw, the 6th seal begins with the Lisbon earthquake in 1755 and continues on to the return of Christ. As chapter 7 takes place prior to the end, it is part of the 6th seal.
SIXTH SEAL
1755 !________________________________________*_! END
What does John see?
“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.” Revelation 7:1.
We already understand that the four corners of the earth are simply North, South, East and West; likewise also the four winds.
As winds represent strife, commotion and war in Bible prophecy, the chapter is telling us that the angels are holding back a time of trouble for a specific reason.
“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, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 7:2.3.
You can see the reason why the winds are being held -- God’s people must be sealed.
A seal is a sign or a mark that is stamped or placed on a document for two reasons -- to denote its finality and the authority behind it.
Remember, Daniel’s book was sealed until the “time of the end”. It was closed until 1798. Likewise, the book taken from the Father’s hand was sealed with seven seals. John wept because it could not be opened, but Jesus took the book, and began to open it, seal after seal.
Another use of a seal is to show the authority by which the document, public notice or law is issued.
The United States has a Great Seal as shown here. The reverse side is on the back of the American one-dollar note, long seen as the symbol of the New World Order.
Another nation with a Great Seal is Great Britain. The encyclopedia states, “The Great Seal is attached to the official documents of state that require the authorization of the monarch to implement the advice of the Government. Under today’s usage of the Great Seal, seals of dark green wax are affixed to letters patent elevating individuals to the peerage, blue seals authorize actions relating to the Royal family, and scarlet seals appoint bishops and implement various other affairs of state.” Wikipedia Encylcopedia on Great Seal of the Realm.
Edward the Confessor had on his seal – Seal of Edward, King of the English. He chose to cast in wax his own visage to signify that a document carried the force of his will. (Most British monarchs have chosen their own design for the Great Seal)
Henry VIII had on his seal – Henry the Eighth, by the grace of God, of England and France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, and on Earth, of the English and Irish Church, Supreme Head.
The Queen has on her seal -- Elizabeth II by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
(In Australia, when Parliament has voted an idea or motion in the affirmative, it is signed and sealed by the Governor on behalf of the queen, making it legally enforceable. However, this ‘seal’ is merely a circle with L.S. stamped within it. These two letters stand for ‘locus sigilli’, which means ‘the place of the signature or seal’. Some believe Australia’s laws have no legal base without a seal)
As has been said, the point of the seal is to give the authority behind a law, decree or other activity of state. All seals should contain the name, the title, and the territory of the ruler, however, even if these are not written on the seal itself, they are implied.
God’s Law also has a seal, and it is built into the law itself.
If you read through the Ten Commandments, you will see it in the 4th commandment. The LORD God is mentioned in the 2nd command (Exodus 20:4-6); in the 3rd (Exodus 20:7); and in the 5th command (Exodus 20:12)., but they do not give His territory.
Only the 4th makes it clear – “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11.
Thus we have God’s name -- LORD (YHVH - the name of God); His title – God and Creator; and His territory – the heaven, earth, and all that is in them.
It is a Law that not only the Jewish nation is obliged to keep, but every living person on earth.
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19.
But where are God’s people to be sealed?
We read it in Revelation 7:3, “in their foreheads”, or mind.
What is the seal that is placed in our minds?
Go back to the church of ‘brotherly love’. Jesus said to them, “I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God which is new Jerusalem… and I will write upon him my new name.” Revelation 3:12.
Later in Revelation, when referring to a group of redeemed people, John says they “having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1.
The word ‘name’ also means ‘character’, so when we have the Father’s name in our foreheads, we have His perfect character. It is the same to have Jesus’ name. (Name and character are also God’s glory. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, he was shown His character. Exodus 33:18-23) And to have the character of God, we must be in harmony with His Law.
Look where God says His Law is. “The righteous shall inherit the land … The law of his God is in his heart, and none of his steps shall slide.” Psalm 37:29.31.
In the Bible, the words ‘mind’ and ‘heart’ are interchanged, and to a Hebrew, they mean the same. To us ‘mind’ means an intellectual understanding, and ‘heart’ a love experience.
Note how Paul explains where the Law is in the Christian, and to which Law he is referring.
“For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” 2 Corinthians 3:3.
Thus, Christians have God’s moral Law and His character written in their minds (heart and forehead). It is revealed in the life by obedience to all God’s commandments, including the Sabbath seal of the 4th commandment.
Unless the Sabbath is part of our lives, we are lawbreakers, for you see, this is the “seal of the living God”.
All who have surrendered to Christ were sealed by the Holy Spirit at conversion, as we are told, “… after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance…” Ephesians 1:13.14. (Romans 8:23)
The old English word ‘earnest’ means deposit or down payment. It is not the fullness of the gift, but at conversion, the believer was separated from the worldling, making him (or her) the property of God. (Christ’s righteousness covered an incomplete understanding of God’s Law, and God “winked” at this ignorance. Acts 17:30)
As new Christians walk along the path of sanctification, they learn more of God’s will, and little by little, are changed into the image of the Saviour, “from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Before the return of Jesus, this work will be finished and those who have learned to obey as Christ obeyed, will receive the final seal of God, fixing them forever to retain His perfect character. They will then be secure and will never fall again.
But remember, the seal will only go on a perfect life. When clay is worked to form a lovely jug, it is only finished when the potter is satisfied. Then, and only then will he place his mark or signature upon it.
When God seals His people, the Master Potter will only put his mark on perfect children. The perfection comes from Christ alone, but our submission and obedience must be full and entire. We are “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11.
If not, Christ’s righteousness cannot cover us.
The final words to earth’s inhabitants after the sealing is completed are, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11.
God’s final seal of approval will be upon them.
We must now divert to the Old Testament, because Ezekiel speaks of the sealing, although in different terminology. (Remember, all the writers of the New Testament received their message from the Hebrew Scriptures)
The prophet is captive in Babylon, having been taken during the second siege of Nebuchadnezzar. In vision he sees six men with slaughtering weapons in their hands.
He also sees another man dressed in linen with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” Ezekiel 9:4.
The “man in linen” represents Christ in Spirit. He is to mark (or seal) the faithful ones in Jerusalem. Notice, they are marked in their forehead (the mind), and it is for this reason they are able to sigh and cry for all the abominations done in their midst - the Law of God is in their hearts. (Breaking God’s Law was the reason God allowed the Jewish nation to be taken captive by Babylon)
Christ sealed the faithful remnant left in Jerusalem that they might be protected during the slaughter, and when completed, the command is given to the six men with slaughtering weapons in their hands.
“Go ye after him (the man in linen) through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary.” Ezekiel 9:5.6.
Once this ‘marking’ (or sealing) was complete, there was a terrible slaughter in Jerusalem. (It was fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar in the 3rd and 4th sieges, and repeated by pagan Rome approximately 650 years later) It was a time of trouble in type.
When a prophecy is given in the Old Testament, it usually has an application that is applicable to the Jewish people, but its major fulfilment is on a large scale to God’s faithful people at the end of time. (This is in Revelation 7)
You will notice that the men with the slaughtering weapons were to kill all who had not been marked, including old men, women and children. It sounds terrible to us, however, we must realise that it will be the same before Jesus returns. This is why we must be marked or sealed by God.
The six men were told to begin at “my sanctuary”, and “they began at the ancient men which were before the house (the sanctuary or temple).” Ezekiel 9:6.
God’s instructions were to inflict punishment on the church and its leaders first. It will be the same at the end. Why? Those who know the truth have a greater responsibility.
In light of the serious times ahead, we must compare our lives to God’s holy Law, and ask ourselves if we are failing in any of its requirements. James tells us that “whosever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.
If we think one command is less important and do not keep it, we may as well break them all.
If the fence is broken, even in one small section, the cattle will escape. James gives the analogy of breaking the 6th or the 7th commandment – it doesn’t matter which one it is. In the judgment, we will be condemned as lawbreakers, with the thief, the adulterer, and the murderer alike.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Jesus said to His disciples, “If ye love Me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.
You see, love is the reason for obedience. It demonstrates our allegiance, and shows who we worship. (Further on in Revelation we will see why this concept is important) Salvation is a gift, but within the heavenly package there are instructions for holy living.
The angel who cried out to the four angels is the sealing angel, and he ascends “from the east”. These angels are feared by the Papacy. Its leaders hate those who have the character of Jesus and who expose their lies and false doctrines. They know the sealing angel will vindicate God’s remnant, and it is their determined work to eradicate these faithful ones before that time.
In Scripture, ‘the east’ is often translated as ‘the sun-rising’, which may seem obvious, but in this text, the idea is that the work of the sealing angel will be gradual, growing in intensity as the day progresses. Those who are sealed will give the final message with power. Others will be sealed and join them, so increasing the light, until it is a blaze of glory.
(You may have noticed that the record in Ezekiel has the six men coming from the north, including the Man in linen. Both the north and the east relate to works of God, even though the enemies of Israel came from the north, it was at God’s command. Here His command is to slaughter)
When the “remnant” of earth are sealed with God’s divine approval, the angels holding the four winds will let loose. The invisible sign in their minds will distinguish them from men and women of the world, and when the angel of death passes over, they will be protected.
(When the firstborn was to die in Egypt, God instructed each household to identify their dwelling by marking it with the blood of a lamb. When the destroying angel came to do his fearful work, he passed over these houses. In the final fulfilment of the Passover, the destroying angels will see God’s seal and pass over His blood-bought children, leaving them unharmed)
When the four winds are let go, there will be a terrible time of strife and bloodshed, the one mentioned by Daniel as “the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” Daniel 12:1.
Dear Reader, please make certain you have given your life to Jesus and are following in His footsteps.
Be like David who loved God’s Law, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97. Be willing to obey every precept.
Do not let Christendom deceive you into believing the moral Law was nailed to the cross and that you cannot obey its precepts. If you do, God cannot write it in your mind and heart, and you will never be sealed.
Instead say with the Psalmist, “Thy word (Law) have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:31.
Now let us progress through the chapter.
“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.” Revelation 7:4.
Two points need to be discussed from this verse:
There were 144,000 sealed.
Is it a literal or symbolic number?
Some people believe it is literal, however, there are various reasons to show it is symbolic. We will discuss one of them at this time. (The subject of the 144,000 is a whole study in itself, however, you will learn the basic principle of who they are in these studies)
Previously you learned that numbers are symbolic in Bible Numerics, the number 7 representing perfection and completeness. Now, we will learn about the number 12.
The New Jerusalem has twelve foundations and twelve gates, and on the foundations are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; on the gates the names of the twelve apostles.
These tell us that number 12 is symbolic for the kingdom.
In chapter 7, God has pictured the sealed as one hundred and forty four thousand -- 12 x 12 x 1000, which equals 144,000.
This is the perfect, complete number of those who will be saved in the kingdom. Together with other considerations, it shows that the number is symbolic and not literal. (The subject will come up later in Revelation)
All the tribes of the children of Israel.
Many Christians believe these refer to literal Israel, and as we have stated in an earlier booklet, most Messianic Jews and Evangelical Christians believe Israel will be saved as a nation. But this is not so.
This means that the tribes in Revelation 7 are symbolic.
James addresses his readers as “…the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad…” James 1:1. His epistle is for Christians, not Jews.
When a Jew or a Gentile accepts Christ, they become spiritually part of “Abraham’s seed”. Galatians 3:29.
Genealogies no longer count for Christians. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28.
Most genealogy records have been lost, and the average Jew has no idea of his genealogy. If he does, it is his national, family heritage, and certainly something to value.
But as a Christian (or Messianic Jew as they prefer to be called), being related in the flesh to the tribes of Jacob-Israel has no relevance. Both Jewish and Gentile Christians are united to Abraham by faith, bypassing all ancestors in the flesh.
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. We are spiritual Israelites, not spiritual Jews.
Back to Revelation. John is speaking figuratively when he refers to “all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
If you go back to the book of Genesis and write down the names of the tribes and compare them with those recorded in Revelation, you will notice something interesting. Let us do that now. Here are the names of the sons in their order of birth, including their mothers, and the meaning of their names.
Reuben Leah Gen 29:32. See, a son
Simeon Leah Gen 29:33. Hearing
Levi Leah Gen 29:34. Joined
Judah Leah Gen 29:35. Praise
Dan Rachel’s maid Gen 30:6. Judged me
Naphtali “ “ Gen 30:8. Wrestling of God
Gad Leah’s maid Gen 30:11. A troop or company
Asher “ “ Gen 30:13. Happy
Issachar Leah Gen 30:18. To hire
Zebulin Leah Gen 30:20. Dwelling
(Dinah) “ Gen 30:21.
Joseph Rachel Gen 30:24. Fruitful bough
Benjamin Rachel Gen 35:18. Ravening wolf.
Joseph was sold to the Egyptians as a slave and did not become a tribe of Israel. However, when Jacob went to live in Egypt, he took Joseph’s two sons and blessed them, making them both tribes of Israel. Their names were Manasseh and Ephraim. Thus there were actually thirteen tribes. (After settling in Canaan, God chose the tribe of Levi for the priesthood, to represent Him. They did not receive an inheritance of land, for God was their inheritance. This leaves twelve tribes)
In Revelation 7, the twelve tribes are listed as follows. I will put the original list across from them and you can compare.
Revelation Genesis
Judah Reuben, firstborn son
Reuben Simeon
Gad Levi
Asher Judah
Naphtali Dan, eliminated
Manasseh Naphtali
Simeon Gad
Levi Asher
Issachar Issachar
Zebulin Zebulin
Joseph, was not a tribe Manasseh
Ephraim, eliminated
Benjamin Benjamin
Sadly, Reuben defiled his father’s bed, and lost the firstborn blessing. Genesis 35:22. Dan was eliminated because his character was as a serpent, an adder that “biteth the horse’ heels”, or what we would call backbiting today. Genesis 49:17. Ephraim was eliminated because God said, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone”. Hosea 4:17.
It is quite obvious that the twelve tribes listed in Revelation are not the twelve literal tribes of Israel, but symbolic of God’s foundation for His church of old, as the apostles are the foundation of His church in the Apostolic Age. As such they represent the church of both periods and symbolise the redeemed in God’s kingdom from beginning to end.
(Some have said we will enter the gates according to our character that matches one of the tribes. If you read through Genesis 49 and notice the prophecy of each life, I doubt if you would want many of these characters. For instance, Simeon and Levi were cruel and fierce. Obviously they were overcomers, however, we have no record of this. No, we all must have the character of Christ or we will never pass through the pearly gates)
The next thing John sees in his vision is the heavenly throne room. You will be familiar with the scene. “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, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11.12.
However, there is a new reason for their worship. Notice the previous verses.
“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….” Revelation 7:9.10.
Who is this great multitude?
That is exactly what John wonders, and an elder asks him the question, “What (or who) are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?” Revelation 7:13.
Of course the apostle does not know, so he replies, “Sir, thou knowest.” Revelation 7:14.
And of course the elder, who is in heaven, knows the answer and says, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14.
He then goes on to tell John that they will serve God day and night and will never hunger or thirst again. They will drink of living fountains of waters and “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15-17.
Who are they?
They are those who have been saved in God’s everlasting kingdom, the redeemed. It is a multitude from all ages, from Adam to the last person on earth who accepted the Saviour.
They are those who submitted to God and allowed Him to write His Law in their hearts.
John sees them as they will be when they have entered the gates of pearl. They are standing before the glorious throne of God, the one with the rainbow, “like unto an emerald” around it. Revelation 4:3.
Notice what the great multitude is doing. They “cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb”. Revelation 7:0. All heaven joins in the worship service with praises to God the Father and to His beloved Son.
We will learn more about these people as we progress, but for now, let us leave them worshipping God.
A silversmith was making a beautiful silver jug. Over and over he put it in the fire, only to be returned time and time again.
‘How do you know when it is ready?’ I asked.
“When I can see my reflection in it’, he replied.
It is the same for the Christian.
Are you reflecting the image of Jesus yet?
Am I?
“The great Master Artist has taken thought for the lilies, making them so beautiful that they outshine the glory of Solomon. How much more does He care for man, who is the image and glory of God. He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude. As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character.” The Desire of Ages p313.
“Remember that day by day the great Master Artist is taking a picture of your character. Your thoughts, your words, your actions, are transferred to His record book, as the features of the human countenance are transferred to the polished plate of the artist.” Medical Ministry p184.
“Bible religion is not one influence among many others, but its influence is supreme, pervading and controlling every other influence. Bible religion is to exercise control over life and conduct. It is not to be like a dash of color, brushed here and there upon the canvas, but its influence is to pervade the whole life, as though the canvas were dipped into color until every thread of the fabric was dyed in a deep, fast, unfading hue.” The Faith I Live By. p220. Devotional.
Said the potter, ‘It is finished, now I can put my mark on it’.
Have thine own way Lord!
Have thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mould me and make me After Thy will,
While I am waiting, Yielded and still.
(Hymn: Adelaide Pollard - words; George C Stebbins - music 1907)