REVELATION --
CHAPTER 7 (continued)
The 144,000 will be out of the tribes of the children of Israel. There will not be one Gentile in the group -- not one! There are groups on earth today who claim to be the 144,000, but they are not. The Bible is clear on that subject. Some of these cults will be forced to revise their figures, because they have overshot the 144,000 number. Where the lost ten tribes are I do not know -- nor does any other man on the face of the earth know. Their identity is lost. But God knows where they are, scattered among the nations today. When God is ready for them, He can find them. We need not worry about the lost ten tribes. We need to be concerned about lost sinners, and go after them with the Gospel of the marvelous Grace of God.
Verse 2 tells us that the angel making the announcement concerning the 144,000 appears out of the east. This angel cries out, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads!" Note: ". . . till WE have sealed . . ." The angel from the east seems to be the leader of a band of angels who will seal the 144,000. The angel appears out of the sunrise -- "Unto you that fear ny name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise, with healing in His wings" (Mal. 4:2).
If you will notice, the listing of the names of the 12 tribes here in Revelation 7 is different from the original listing in Genesis 35 and Genesis 46. The names in Genesis are thus: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali. In Deuteronomy 29:18-21 we read that the man, woman, family or tribe who should introduce idolatry into Israel should have their names "blotted out" from under Heaven, and that they would be separated out of the tribes of Israel. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim
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allowed Jeroboam to set up golden calves to be worshipped. One of these was set up in the tribe of Dan, and the other at Bethel (I Kings 12:25-30). So the name of Dan is left out of the list of the twelve tribes in Revelation 7.
The mentioning of the sealing of the 144,000 in chapter seven does not mean that they are sealed between the sixth and seventh seals. There is no date or time mentioned. When they are sealed, we do not know. They were probably sealed immediately after the Rapture. The Scripture does not enlighten us here; therefore, it is not for us to know the date or the exact time. These sealed ones will no doubt preach throughout the years of Daniel's 70th week of prophecy, the Tribulation period (approximately 7 years). Even in the midst of Satan's kingdom, where all hell is loose on earth, the power of the Gospel will reach millions; yea, a great company that no man can number (Rev. 7:9).
Verse 1 tells us that four angels stand on the four corners of the earth. This has confused some, but there is no need for confusion. This does not mean that the earth is square, as some have suggested. The expression "the four corners" simply refers to the four points of direction -- east, west, north, and south. The Bible refers to "the east wind," etc.
The angels were holding the four winds, that they should not blow. This seems to suggest that the winds were angry and desired to blow and destroy. But the mighty angels held them, forbidding them to blow. Verse 2: John sees another angel ascend from the East. This angel has the seal of God. The angel cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and sea.
Verse 3: The angel said to the four angels -- "Hurt
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not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
It seems that some power, or force, of the enemy tries to hinder the sealing of these servants. But judgment is stayed until they are sealed. In verse 4 the sealing begins. There were sealed 12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes -- 144,000 in all.
Verses 5-8 name each of the twelve tribes of Israel, and declare that 12,000 will be sealed out of each tribe.
There are those who spiritualize this number and the sealing of 12,000 from each tribe; but it is absolutely impossible to understand the Word of God unless we obey I Corinthians 10:32: "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God." It is impossible to understand the Scripture and to rightly divide the Word of Truth without recognizing three groups:
1. Jews
2. Gentiles
3. The Church of God
We must understand from their place in God's program if we understand the Word. To spiritualize Israel is to wreck the Bible. God has not forgotten His people, neither will He cast them away forever (Rom. 11). The most glorious days for Israel are yet to come. Every promise God made to Father Abraham will be literally fulfilled.
GENTILES WHO ARE SAVED DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
Rev. 7:9-17:
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;
10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God
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11. 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,
12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
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.
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.
16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17. 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.
In verse 9 we read, "After this I beheld . . . " and we learn what John beheld.
1. A multitude which no man could number . . .
2. Of all nations, kindreds, peoples, tongues (this number takes in every tribe on earth, even in the wilds of the most remote jungle). God set before the church at Philadelphia an open door (Rev. 3:8). The Church has failed to evangelize the world through the preaching of the Gospel of Grace. The Church has had the greatest opportunity of any people who ever existed, to preach the Gospel by the means of printed page, radio, television, modern travel, and many other ways. But the Church has NOT evangelized the world, nor has it announced the good news to the world. Therefore, God seals 144,000 after the Rapture, to fulfill Matthew 24:14.
3. This multitude which no man could number stood before the throne clothed with white robes, and each one had a palm in his hand.
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In verse 10 the multitude is praising God with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb!" In verse 11 the elders fall down and worship God and the Lamb. The beasts do likewise. Please notice here that all praise, honor, worship and adoration is directed to the Lamb "BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY." In verse 12 we hear these rejoicing ones shouting, "Amen! Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever! Amen!" Not a member of that redeemed host is silent. Their struggles and trials are over. It is only fitting that this countless multitude of redeemed should break out in one loud and united cry of praise to God and to the Lamb. I feel sorry for dear people who cannot endure a little noise in religion. I am not a fanatic and I do not believe in foolishness; but I believe if we love God we should praise Him.
In verse 13 one of the elders asked a question: "Who ARE these in white robes? Whence came they?" Who is this tremendous multitude? Where did they come from? How did they get here?
In verse 14 John said, "Thou knowest." Then the elder said, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." These are those who have been saved during the Great Tribulation . . . the reign of the Antichrist. They are the saved ones out of every nation, tongue, tribe, and kindred on the face of the earth. They will be saved through the preaching of the 144,000 -- but they will be saved by "the blood." They will wash their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. The blood started flowing in Genesis 3:21 and has flowed down through the ages to this day. Without the shedding of blood is no remission. The preacher
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who leaves the blood out of his message is the devil's best friend. In verse 15 we read, "Therefore (because they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood) 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."
This verse clearly shows us that this company is not the Bride -- the Church. The Bride will reign with Jesus here on earth. This multitude is said to SERVE Him day and night. Jesus said, "Henceforth I call you not servants (referring to His disciples), but I have called you friends" (John 15:15).
In verse 16 we learn that this group will not hunger or thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. This verse definitely identifies the multitude as Tribulation saints. During the reign of the Antichrist no one can buy or sell without having upon himself the mark of the Beast. Those who REFUSE to receive the mark cannot buy or sell; those who RECEIVE it cannot be saved. Therefore, these saved people, having refused to receive the mark of the Beast, will be forced to hide out under the heat of the sun by day and the stars by night. Many times they will be hungry -- destitute for food. They cannot buy food . . . they will be forced to beg or steal. Therefore, "they shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more," because God Almighty will take care of them from that moment forward. They will endure terrible tribulation, but it will be worth it all when they see the face of Jesus.
Verse 17 is tremendous. God Himself will feed them, God will lead them -- and GOD HIMSELF WILL WIPE ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES! In Revelation 22:1-7 we find the pure RIVER OF THE
# Re 22:1-7
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WATER OF LIFE, proceeding out of the throne of God, and in the midst of the street and on either side of the street there is the TREE OF LIFE. The tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruit and yields a harvest every month. There will be plenty of fruit for everyone, and certainly there will be eating among God's creatures in eternity.
In Revelation 22 we learn further that the leaves of the tree of life will be for the healing of the nations. Read Acts 15:13-18, Rev. 21:23-27. And remember: "Give none offence to the Jews, Gentiles, nor to the Church of God." There will be new heavens, new earth, and the Pearly White City. Yes, chapter 7 is most refreshing. We see the multitude that no man can number -- redeemed, washed in the blood, standing before God with palms in their hands.
# Ac 15:13-18 Re 21:23-27
Thank God for the Lamb! Even in the midst of great tribulation God still loves, save, and delivers. He is not willing that any should perish -- and that takes in YOU. Are YOU saved? If you are not, God does not want you to die in your sin and wake up in hell. He will forgive you and write your name in the Lamb's book of life, if you will only "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ . . . and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
In closing chapter seven, let me say that the words "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" are unequaled in their depth and tenderness. Please notice: It is not the compassionate Lamb who shed His blood who wipes the tears from their eyes -- but GOD THE FATHER who GAVE the Lamb . . . God, against who they (and we) have sinned. All sin is against God; but God will tenderly wipe every tear from their eyes and they will never weep again. They will enjoy "everlasting consolation" and they will enjoy peace uninterrupted.
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