Chapter 6 dealt with the first 6 seals being opened, then we have chapter 7, which is a break, before the 7th seal is opened in chapter 8.
We will see this pattern continue as we look at the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of wrath later in the book. In each group of 7 we will see that 6 is given and then there will be a change of subject before continuing to the 7th one, in some cases this is only a verse, whilst in other there is a complete chapter between.
Chapter 7 opens the issue of Israel in God’s plan. It will deal with the sealing of the 144,00.
Verse 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."
The term “four corners of the earth” does not refer to a flat earth but is a figure of speech that we all use, meaning the whole earth.
Winds in the Old Testament are often referred to as judgements. The Hebrew word for wind is “ruwach” which is also the same word used for Spirit.
The term “earth” commonly refers to Israel and the term “sea” to the Gentiles and “trees” are often individuals.
So the forces are held back for a while.
Verse 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, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
So there is an impending judgement coming, but it is not allowed to happen until a group of people have been sealed by God. We see a similar thing happening in Ezekiel Ch 9 vs 4 - 6. Those with a mark are protected by God.
Note here that the people are referred to as “servants of God”, in John Ch 15 vs 14-15, Jesus stated that those that love him and do his will would be referred to as “friends”.
Verse 4
"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."
We have to be sure here that this is the children of Israel, the Jews that are being referred to, remember the church has already been raptured, as Paul says in Galatians Ch 3 vs 27-28 those that are in Christ are neither Jew nor Gentile. So it is the Jews that we will see that go out to evangelise the Earth, if the Church was still here then they would surely be still reaching out to the people.
Verse 5-8
"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. 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. 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. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand."
If we look at the list we find that there are 2 tribes missing from the list. There are really 13 tribes of Israel. The tribe of Joseph is split into 2 - the tribe of Manasseh and the tribe of Ephraim. Ephraim is not mentioned here, also the tribe of Dan is not mentioned.
Notice though that Manasseh is mentioned and also Joseph. The tribe of Joseph should include both Manasseh and Ephraim, but here it is split up. For some reason Ephraim is not mentioned directly, only through Joseph.
Why is Dan not mentioned at all?
In Deut Ch 29 it mentions that idolaters are to be separated and to be blotted out. The history of Dan shows us that idolatry is what the tribe of Dan is known for. When idolatry started in the Northern Kingdom it came in through the tribe of Dan. It is identified with idol worship.
There is a tradition among the Rabbi’s of Israel that the Anti-Christ will come from the tribe of Dan.
Verse 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;"
Here we see the fruit of this 144,000. They bring forth a great multitude like never seen before. They are in white robes and have palms in their hands. This makes us think of Palm Sunday when the people welcomed Jesus as their king, it is as if the clock stopped on that day and has now restarted once again.
Verse 10
"And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
Here they are praising God for the Salvation they have received.
Verse 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, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."
The worship spreads out to those in Heaven.
Notice how many words of praise there are - 7
Verse 13
"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in
white robes? and whence came they?"
John here gets asked a question and is expected to know the answer.
Verse 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."
John is unsure and passes the answer back to the elder.
They are people that have been saved during the Tribulation. It is strange that John did not recognise them. He did not expect to see them.
Verse 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."
Notice here that these people will serve in the temple. This has to be the millennium Temple where they will serve, because in Heaven there is to be no night there. There is a difference here in this statement as opposed to what the church is told, it is told that we will reign with Him.
Verse 16-17
"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."
We find this same expression in Isaiah Ch 49 vs 10.
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