REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 7.2

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

Chapter Seven

A Parenthetical Chapter:

Judgment Suspended

 

 

Continuing the vision from verse 1, John sees another angel rising from the east…

(Verse 2)

 

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.

 

 

Phrases identified

The East in the Bible, in its literal meaning, is a rising of the sun - The light of dawn or day spring. Symbolically, it represents the source of blessing.

 

Another angel – The fifth angel seems to be superior to the other angels given the fact he gives a direct command to the other four during the following phrase. In other words, similar to the military chain of command, the ranking angel was "given orders from headquarters" to disseminate "marching orders" to those under his command.

This lead angel instructs the other four angels vociferously.

 

Angels

Angels* are invisible created spiritual beings employed by God to execute His will and accomplish His purpose. As such, many ranks and orders of angels minister in sundry manners to God's people on earth. They correspondingly serve and worship Him in the heavenly realm.

Colossians 1:16 - For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.

 

Hebrews 1:14 - Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

Luke 15:10 - Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.

 

Additionally, angels have ranks and orders:

1 Peter 3:22 – (Jesus Christ), Who is gone into Heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.

 

*For a stimulating Bible study (easy to understand) on the Doctrine of Angels, a recommended resource is Evans, William. The Great Doctrines of the Bible. Enlarged Edition. Chicago: Moody Press, 1974. 215 -220.

 

Hurt the earth and the sea

This directive --- unleashing the seventh seal, in part, four trumpet judgments forthcoming in Chapter 8 --- from the Lamb of God will be to viciously hurt, harm, or injure the earth and the sea.

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

 

As discussed in the previous study, three main elements --- the earth, the sea, and the trees --- are temporarily exempt from being hurt. Why? Because God temporarily restrains judgment until there is a sealing of, or a seal is placed upon, the servants or bondservants of our God and are sealed in or on their foreheads.

 

Sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads

 

Seals

In The Old Testament

A seal by biblical definition is a stamp or a mark on someone or something that attests, affirms, or provides clear evidence of ownership, It can alternate between a visible or invisible one and sometimes is employed as a sign or signature of God's protection. The same phrase is utilized in Chapter 9 and Verse 4 to set those apart from the Fifth Trumpet judgment. According to Revelation 14:11, the seal is a literal visible identifiable one: His Father's name written in (on) their foreheads.

 

Contrastively, sealing is not a new concept. Many examples have been used throughout the Old Testament. For example:

1.   In the beginning, God placed a mark upon Cain for protection.

Genesis 4:15 - So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.

 

2. Circumcision similarly distinguished Jews from Gentiles.

Genesis 17:10-11 - This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt Me and you.

 

3. A divine call went forth to slaughter the people of Jerusalem entrenched in idolatry. However, Ezekiel saw in his vision a linen-clothed angel withhold judgment on those who possessed a seal or mark upon their foreheads.

Ezekiel 9:4, 6 - And the LORD said unto him (an angel), 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…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.

 

In The New Testament

After the Crucifixion, for those who believe by faith in Jesus Christ --- the Gospel of salvation --- the sealing becomes an invisible sign, and believers are set apart under God's protection.

1.  Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, taught the people who followed Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, how the Father gives His seal of approval to those who seek the Lord for spiritual nourishment:

John 6; 26-27 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed.

 

2. To the Corinthian Church the apostle Paul instructs how God authenticates believers in Christ at salvation:

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

3.  When addressing the Ephesian Church, Paul reassures believers that the Holy Spirit resides in us, is our mark of authentication, and delivers us (from the Great Tribulation):

Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

So Almighty God has sealed believers in and by the Holy Spirit to guarantee our destination will be reached.

 

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

In the Old Testament

The Holy Spirit of God, the third member of the Triune Godhead (the Trinity) is Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipotent (all-powerful), and Omnipresent (all places at all times) - Divine attributes of the Godhead. The Spirit has always been in the world since the beginning of Creation.

Genesis 1:1-2 - In the beginning God (the Trinity) created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the (Holy) Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 

David explains His presence:

Psalm 139:7-10 – Whither (to what place) shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.

 

So, in the Old Testament economy, the Holy Spirit ministered through special ministries for special circumstances. Many examples are given:

 

In the Life of Christ

The Holy Spirit was actively present at and during:

1.  His birth (cf. Luke 1:35)

2.  His baptism (cf. Matthew 3:16)

3. His ministry (cf. Matthew 4:1; Acts 10:38)

 

In the Age of Grace

Throughout the Church Age, from Pentecost to the Rapture, the Holy Spirit indwells seals, anoints, empowers, and teaches the hearts of believers beginning at the moment of salvation. In this period on God's timetable, He will operate as a restrainer of the Antichrist so that the believer's commission, given by Jesus, is executed:

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

In the Great Tribulation

The Holy Spirit labors differently throughout Tribulation. This time, however, the Holy Spirit will be unrestrained, thus allowing the Antichrist to prosper.

 

 

(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.

 

The number of the remnant is literal – One hundred forty-four thousand. In the days of John the Baptist, the King was rejected but will be accepted when a well-defined remnant, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preach the identical message of repentance.

 

This remnant will also be protected from their persecutors and brought to safety amid great distress. Their mission is to preach the Gospel to all nations, and multitudes will come to Christ. (see verse 9).

 

This was prophesied and alluded to in Scripture:

1.   Joel 2:28-29 - And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

 

2. Matthew 24:14 – 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.

 

3.  Acts 10:43 - To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

However, many Jews and Gentiles will die martyr's death for their faith.

 

An hundred and forty and four thousand

Biblical Numerology

In mathematics, even though many scriptural interpretations have been blurred due to man's inability to comprehend the infinite mind of God, He is very precise when any given number is mentioned in Scripture.

Psalm 18:30 - As for God, His way (ways) is (are) perfect: the word of the LORD is tried (proven true). [See also 2 Samuel 22:31; Deuteronomy 32:4].

 

When reading the Noachian and Tabernacle narratives, from Genesis through Exodus, they are immersed in measurements. As a result, Noah's Ark withstood forty days and forty nights of rain, winds, storms, and geological upheavals. The Tabernacle, on the other hand, was patterned after its heavenly counterpart (cf. Hebrews 8:5).

 

144,000

Once again, God did not arbitrarily select a number without purpose or meaning:

1.   Three is God's perfect number representing the fullness in divine unity of the Triune Godhead or Trinity

 

2. (Seven) is the  number of God's completed work, full development - Also a sacred number between God and man (see Study Revelation 1.1)

 

 

3.   Ten is another number meaning perfection or completeness.

a.  There are ten times God uses the phrase "God Said" in Genesis 1

b.  There are ten generations up to Noah.

c.  There are Ten Commandments

 

4. Twelve symbolizes governmental perfection or rule, full development or restoration. It also exemplifies the nation of Israel as a whole.

a.  There are twelve sons of Jacob (Israel)

b.  There are twelve tribes in Israel

c.  There are twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus

 

5.  Twelve Thousand – This number appears in Revelation 21:16 concerning the size of the Holy City - The New Jerusalem, thus, it too is symbolic of completeness and perfection.

 

6.  One Hundred Forty-Four – One hundred forty-four is obtained by multiplying the number twelve [twelve tribes of Israel (verses 5-8)] by twelve equaling a perfect square (144). Twelve thousand from each tribe times twelve totals one hundred and forty-four thousand.

 

An hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel

The Bible makes it distinctively clear that the total of those sealed will be one hundred, forty-four thousand Israelites. The next verses (in the following study) will be even more specific not only by number but also by tribe.

 

So in Chapter 7, even though the narrative during Tribulation is temporarily suspended, the scene continues to epitomize God's faithfulness and mercy, not only to Israel but to the Gentiles as well.

 

 

 QUESTIONS:

1.   Why are angles important to God's judgments?

2.   Name some of their characteristics.

3.   What is their function in Revelation 7?

4.   How were angels used in the Old Testament?

5.   How are they different in the New Testament?

6.   List the attributes of the Holy Spirit.

7.   Why does God seal the 144,000?

 

 

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