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What
About The Saints?
–
Revelation Seven
Revelation chapter six provided an
announcement of the terrible judgment that was to come on the
God has provided for
the protection of His faithful servants. The forces of destruction were held in
restraint until God's servants had been sealed. The sealing applied to all
Christian, not just Jewish Christians. "Seal" was very similar to
Ezekiel 9:4-6 were the seal meant safety in time of trouble. "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. And to the others
he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him 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. Then they began at the ancient men which were
before the house."
After the Devil had tried his best to destroy the people of God a
great multitude, which no man can number, is seen before the throne in heaven.
God's faithful people were victorious! They can now stand in the presence of
the Almighty because their sins have been washed in the sacrificial blood of
the Lamb!
The winds are restrained – Revelation 7:1-3: After
the previous visions John saw four angels standing at the four corners of the
earth. God's power restrained the destruction from the north, south, east and
west. God Himself through Jesus Christ provided protection and victory for His
people. The picture is that of the restraint of destructive forces by the
angels.
The sealing pictured here extends throughout the entire Christian
age. Jesus had promised, "lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) The angle that had the
power to seal came from the east, the direction of light for the world. This
angel instructed the destructive angles to be restrained until God's servants
were sealed. This could only be accomplished at the end of the Christian
age.
The children of God are sealed for the specific and unique purpose
of glorifying God upon the earth. The picture of God's people being sealed in
the forehead provides both comfort and a great challenge. We are comforted with
the assurance that we belong to God. The challenge is that we depart from all
evil and boldly identify ourselves children of God. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (II
Timothy 2:19)
The servants are sealed – Revelation 7:4-8: The
picture is that of 144,000 redeemed ones being sealed. They are the saved, not
just physical Jews. Many of the fleshly Jews had murdered the Messiah and
hindered the truth all over the world. The 144,000 pictured all the saved of
the earth. Concerning the 12 tribes there are at least 20 different ways of
listing the tribes of
When God wanted a number to represent the total number of the
redeemed He chose 144,000. We must keep in mind that this is a symbol and not
literal. A "thousand" is a number that represents completeness.
"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the
cattle upon a thousand hills." (Psalm 50:10) God sealed and protected
these saints on the earth.
The glory that was given – Revelation 7:9-12: John
now saw an innumerable company in heaven. This innumerable company is the whole
Jesus had said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14). This picture of a
great multitude that no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and
tongues is evidence that the Great Commission will be fulfilled before the end
of the world just as Jesus promised. This great host of redeemed ones gave
honor and glory to God for the great salvation He has provided through the
blood of the Lamb.
The happy state of the faithful – Revelation 7:13-17:
There is nothing in this text that points to one particular trial or distress.
Those who continue to come out of the tribulations of the world faithful to God
and washed in the blood of the Lamb are truly in a happy state. Great
multitudes out of all races continue to come to God. After this earthly life
the faithful stand before the throne of God singing the song of salvation. "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." (Revelation 7:15)
They are coming out of great tribulation. "Coming out of the
great tribulation" is a continuing thing throughout the Christian age.
They were washed in the blood and thus can now stand in God's presence. He then
spreads His perfect protection over them. "They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 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." (Revelation 7:16-17) While their service to God might have
meant some suffering on the earth their eternity will be a perfect life with
perfect joy.
Christians who overcome the sorrows and tribulations of life will
ultimately be in the very presence of God, and shall participate in the joys of
heaven forever. The blood of the lamb and the joy awaiting the redeemed should
motivate us to obey God quickly. Those who obey the gospel are washed in the
precious blood of Jesus. To obey the gospel one must hear the salvation message
(Romans
- - -
- Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Bill Autrey, Malachi Beauchamp, Al Brannon,
Charlie Brown, Gene Buck, Gene Davis, Carolyn Duncan, Ethel Gafford, Roy
Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Evan Hartsell, Darlene Herring,
Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Margaret Pierce, Mary Powell, Don Reynolds, Anna
Salter, and Garrett Zorn. Crowne Health Care: Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Raymond
Lowery, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. Requesting Our Prayers: April Schofield responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember her in your personal, private prayers.
3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to the family of Bob Ellison. Bob was a blessing and faithful friend to many.
4. Special
Prayer Request: Prayers are requested for Darlene Herring (sister of
Leroy Waller and Lorene Beverly). She is seriously ill in room #619 at
5. Remember To Pray:
Eric Bagents needs our prayers as he serves in
6. Stacy
Harrell To Preach: Stacy and his family will
visit the Walnut Street Church of Christ on November 20th. He will
preach on Sunday morning. Stacy is one of several young men
7. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: November 20th Beverly
Lassiter, November 23rd Hunter Till, November 25th Joe
Arnold, Randy Fullington and Horace Martin, and November 26th Mary
Arnold.
8. Young
Adult Progressive Dinner: All of our young adult families are invited
to a progressive dinner on Friday, December 2nd beginning at
9. Sunday
Morning Young Adult Bible Class: Our Sunday morning young adult Bible
class will resume on December 4th. The class will be taught by
Charles Box in the Multipurpose room.
10. Ladies
Bible Class: The Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class will not meet
until
11. Thank
You: Dear Brothers & Sisters, Words are
not enough to let you know how much your gift has meant to us. After the
hurricane we had no idea how we would get through. Thanks to God’s people all
over the country we are back in a home and well on our way to seeing all of our
church members back into a home. We have a long way to go before things are
repaired. Continue to pray for our community and know you have truly made a
difference in our lives, In Christ, The
Sturgeon family
12. Dishes
In Multipurpose Room: There are a number of
dishes in the multipurpose room. Please check to see if they are yours. Thanks!
13. Van
Driver Needed: A driver is needed for the van on Sunday during the
month of December. Please sign up now! Thanks.
14. Weekly
Budget: Just a reminder that our weekly budget is $6,135.64. If each
family gives as God has prospered us we will far exceed this amount. Your
giving is a proof of your love for God. (II Corinthians 8:18)
15. Good
Works Continue: The Walnut Street
A Pet Grizzly Bear
It seems that
my ears are open wider in doctor’s office waiting rooms than most other places.
As I sat at the eye doctor the other day, I overheard a very strange statement
from an elderly woman. As she and her daughter read out loud a magazine article
about a bear attacking a hunter, the woman said, “I’d like to have a pet
grizzly bear.” She seemed serious, though she may have been joking. But I
imagined for a moment how crazy it would be to invite a killer like that into
your home. I mean, you know the damage that a beast like that can do, so who
wouldn’t want to get as far away as they could, as fast as they could? Then, I
thought, “How many Christians try to inch as close as possible to sin, knowing
the destruction that it brings!”
When we look
in the mirror before we leave home in the morning, are we trying to profess
godliness with our apparel, or are we leaning ever so close to the “line”
between modest and immodest? If only we would each imagine the devastation that
immodest dress can lead to. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a
woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt
Young people
often argue, “It’s ok for me to go to the party, as
long as I don’t do the sinful things that everyone else is doing.” Folks, that
is like going to play in a den of bears! Why on earth would a Christian want to
seek recreation and entertainment in an environment that is void of morality
and full of sin? You’ve seen the wicked results of drinking alcohol, so it
makes no sense to see how close you can get to it without getting hurt.
This reasoning
can be used with any and all forms of immorality. You wouldn’t bring a
dangerous killer grizzly bear into your living room and argue that it is ok,
and that no one will get hurt. “How strange it is that people professing
Christianity can suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and
their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favor of God, or
ever get to the kingdom of heaven!” (Adam Clarke). Live for God, and be certain
of your spiritual safety!
- - - - Darrell Powell
An atheist is
a man who has no invisible
means
of support.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)