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 where 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
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