{"id":512,"date":"2010-03-30T15:07:08","date_gmt":"2010-03-30T14:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christian-gospel.info\/?p=512"},"modified":"2010-03-30T15:07:08","modified_gmt":"2010-03-30T14:07:08","slug":"revelation-chapter-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/?p=512","title":{"rendered":"REVELATION CHAPTER 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

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REVELATION CHAPTER 7<\/span><\/h1>\n

Introduction
\n<\/b><\/span>The Book of Revelation has as its main subject the coming again of the Lord Jesus to the earth to set up His kingdom.\u00a0 After centuries of being hidden from human sight, He will be revealed, or unveiled, which is the root meaning of the word \u201crevelation\u201d.\u00a0 John is permitted to see a preview of future events.\u00a0 What he sees can be reduced to two themes: the worship of heaven and the reasons for it, and the woes on earth and the reasons for them.\u00a0 In chapters 4 and 5 he sees what happens in heaven, when the question is raised as to who is competent to break the seals on a book containing the judgement of God upon those who dwell on the earth.\u00a0 Only the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Christ Himself, is found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals.\u00a0 Subsequent chapters detail what happens when those seals are broken and the contents of the scroll are revealed.<\/span><\/p>\n

It should be borne in mind that chapters 6-19 of the book of the Revelation have to do with what is known as \u201cDaniel\u2019s Seventieth Week\u201d.\u00a0 Because the children of Israel failed to obey God by worshipping Him alone, and descended into idolatry, and because for 490 years they had not allowed the land to rest once every seven years, the kingly tribe of Judah were taken into captivity for 70 years, 2 Chronicles 36:21.\u00a0 At this point the Times of the Gentiles began, and the earth was ruled, not by the promised Messiah of Judah\u2019s tribe, but by successive heathen kings.\u00a0 As the 70-year period of captivity neared its end, Daniel was informed by God that a further period of 70 weeks, not of days but of years, that is, 490 years, must elapse before Messiah would come to reign, Daniel 9:24-27.\u00a0 This period was divided into three very unequal parts.\u00a0 The first part, consisting of 7 weeks, or 49 years, began with the command to allow the temple and the city to be built, and finished at the time of Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament.\u00a0 The second part, consisting of 63 weeks, or 434 years, finished with the cutting off of the Messiah at Calvary.\u00a0 That left 1 week of 7 years yet to run its course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Daniel did not know, however, was that God had purposed to introduce a further age into His programme.\u00a0 He kept this secret during Old Testament times, and only revealed it after Pentecost through the apostle Paul.\u00a0 This is set forth in detail in Ephesians 3, and notes on those verses can be found\u00a0on another post.\u00a0 \u00a0The present age, therefore, is not part of the 490 years that Daniel knew about, and it must be finished before the last 7-year period Daniel was told about begins to run its course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In chapter 6 the first six seals are broken, with the result that the contents of the first six sections of the scroll are brought to view.\u00a0 The breaking of the sixth seal enables John to see the state of things immediately prior to the return of Christ, when men shall be terrified at the prospect of Christ returning to bring them to account.\u00a0 Chapter 7, however, shows that in the midst of wrath, God remembers mercy, Habakkuk 3:2.\u00a0 Christ is coming in flaming fire upon His enemies, as the Kinsman Avenger, but He redeems, too, for He is the Kinsman Redeemer.\u00a0 See Leviticus 25:47-55 and Numbers 35:9-29 for these two functions of a redeemer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because God is not willing that any should perish, 144,000 men are sealed to preserve them from the dangers of the tribulation period, and they are those who are sent forth by God to preach the gospel of the kingdom, announcing the fact that the Kingdom of Christ is about to begin, and men should prepare for His coming.\u00a0 That many do so is shown by the second half of the chapter, where a great multitude is seen who have come out of that time of tribulation, and praise God for the salvation He has granted them.<\/span><\/p>\n

THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE, THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES, AS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION CHAPTER 7<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:1\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:2\u00a0 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,<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:3\u00a0 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:4\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:5\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:6\u00a0 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:7\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:8\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:9\u00a0 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;<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:10\u00a0 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:11\u00a0 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,<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:12\u00a0 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:13\u00a0 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:14\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:15\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:16\u00a0 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/span>7:17\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Structure of the chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Verses 1-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The preparation for the sealing<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Verses 4-8\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The persons who are sealed<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Verses 9-10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The praises of the saved ones<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Verses 11,12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The praises of the angels<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Verses 13-14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The purity of the saved ones<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Verses 15-17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The promises to the saved ones<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Verses 1-3\u00a0\u00a0The preparation for the sealing<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:1\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When He gave His discourse on the Mount of Olives, as recorded in Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus summarised what is found in Revelation 6.\u00a0 He said that \u201cthis gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, and then shall the end come\u201d, Matthew 24:4.\u00a0 We have the preparation for, and the results of, that preaching in this chapter.\u00a0 A godly remnant will have to flee at the mid-point of that tribulation period, and the Lord commands them to pray that their flight will not be in the winter, or on the Sabbath day, lest their escape should be hindered.\u00a0 Those sealed in this chapter do not need to pray for favourable conditions, however, for they are provided for by angelic ministry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Four angels are allotted the task of restraining the wind from blowing until the sealing has been done.\u00a0 These sealed evangelists will need to travel to the four quarters of the earth rapidly.\u00a0 The four angels ensure that there is no wind to prevent them jetting far and wide; no tempests at sea if they need to sail to their destination; no fallen trees obstructing their passage if they need to cross overland.\u00a0 All is still; not a breeze blows, not a breaker roars, not a leaf moves, for God is speeding His servants on their way.\u00a0 God makes His angels spirits, or winds, Psalm 104:4, so they are able to work out His purpose through the wind, (\u201cstormy tempest fulfilling His word\u201d, Psalm 148:8).\u00a0 But here they have the ability to do the reverse, and control what to man is uncontrollable.\u00a0 Now it is the lack of wind that fulfils His word.<\/span><\/p>\n

7:2,\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Remember that John is viewing things from the perspective of heaven, for he has heard the voice which calls him up to heaven in 4:1.\u00a0 Why does he see the angel ascending from the east?\u00a0 One day, John had stood with his fellow apostles and seen Christ ascend from the Mount of Olives, on the east side of Jerusalem, the same mount He had sat upon to teach of future events in Matthew 24, 25, and the only one of the mountains in Matthew\u2019s gospel that is named.\u00a0 The same mountain, too, that He will descend to when He returns to earth, Zechariah 14:4. Perhaps this angel is reminding him of this, and reminding him also that before He ascended, Christ assured His own that He had all power in heaven and in earth, Matthew 28:18.\u00a0 Certainly these evangelists will need this assurance as they go forth on their difficult task.\u00a0 Perhaps they see the angel too, and are thus encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

In verse 1 the angels held the winds so they do no harm, here they also hold the winds so that at the appropriate moment, they may do harm, at God\u2019s good pleasure.\u00a0 Note that the angel is given an interest in the servants of God who are men.\u00a0 Angels are servants too, but they are sent forth to minister for those who shall inherit salvation, Hebrews 1:14.\u00a0 They do not so much minister to believers, as for them, indirectly acting for their benefit, no doubt mostly saving them from physical harm.\u00a0 In context the words quoted from Hebrews 1 relate to those who are about to enter into the kingdom on earth, and the company in view in this chapter are certainly like that.<\/span><\/p>\n

The servants of God, as they are described, are sealed, and the seal is on their foreheads.\u00a0 Sealing in the scripture is a sign of ownership and security.\u00a0 Believers of this age are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13, the sign that they belong to God. The sealing also ensures their spiritual preservation until glory is reached. \u00a0 These men will be preserved through great trials, and all the while will know that God claims ownership of them, and has done so in a visible way.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the great tribulation, all who worship the beast will have his mark upon them, either on their foreheads, or on their right hands, Revelation 13:16.\u00a0 Those who refuse this mark will be conspicuous, and many will be overcome, in the sense that they will be put to death, Revelation 13:7.\u00a0 This does not mean the beast has triumphed, however, for they will be before God as those who have gained the victory over the mark of the beast, Revelation 15:2, showing that they had been faithful unto death.<\/span><\/p>\n

These who are sealed by God in this chapter are sealed on their foreheads, for their minds will be active as they preach the gospel, and reserved for God\u2019s use amidst all the propaganda of the beast\u2019s reign.\u00a0 See Daniel 7:8; 20.\u00a0 We might ask ourselves whether our minds are preserved and dedicated to God\u2019s interests?\u00a0 Or has the world laid claim to them, and we have given in to its claim?<\/span><\/p>\n

Verses 4-8\u00a0\u00a0The persons who are sealed<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:4\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

John needs to be clear as to how many are sealed, for he is going to return to this company in chapter 14, hence he assures us he heard the number.\u00a0 How gratified he must have been to note that every one of that great company was in heaven at last.\u00a0 The sealing had done its work, and they had all been preserved for God despite all the trials they had passed through.\u00a0 Daniel\u2019s friends found that even though they had been thrown into the fiery furnace, not a hair of their head was singed, Daniel 3:27.<\/span><\/p>\n

The number of those sealed is 144,000.\u00a0 12 x 12 x 1000 would present to us 12 the number of Divine government multiplied and intensified by that same number, and then further intensified to the highest degree by the number 1000.\u00a0 After all, the government of Christ for a 1000 years is in view, and there must be adequate provision for that reign.<\/span><\/p>\n

7:5-8\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We first of all notice that it is known to which tribe these Israelites belong.\u00a0 Despite most of them being supposedly \u201clost tribes\u201d, yet God knows who they are; He has not lost them.\u00a0 Paul could speak of \u201cour twelve tribes, instantly serving God\u201d, Acts 26:7.\u00a0 One day the divided nation shall be reunited, as Ezekiel 37:19 and Hosea 1:11 explain.\u00a0 The division came because of the defection of ten tribes from the authority of the line of David.\u00a0 David\u2019s line is about to be re-established, and this is part of the preparation for it.\u00a0 Perhaps this is suggested by the fact that Judah and Benjamin, the two tribes remaining faithful to David\u2019s house, are the first and the last listed.\u00a0 It is as if they include the other tribes in their embrace.<\/span>
\n Whilst this is so, and we are definitely told that those sealed are of all the tribes of the children of Israel, nevertheless Dan and Ephraim are not mentioned.\u00a0 This is especially striking because these two were both standard-bearers for other tribes as they encamped around the tabernacle, as Numbers 2:18,25 records.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is true, however, that Dan was the first tribe to go into idolatry, and Judges 18:30 specifically links that idolatry with the going into captivity seven centuries later.\u00a0 Significantly, their priest officiated in the hill country of Ephraim, as if those of that district were sympathetic.\u00a0 By Amos\u2019 time it had become a proverbial saying,\u00a0 \u201cThy god, O Dan, liveth\u201d, Amos 8:14.\u00a0 The tribulation period will be marked by idolatry of the worst sort, the worship of a man energised by Satan.\u00a0 It is too much of a risk to commission 12,000 of this tribe to carry forth the message of God in such an atmosphere.\u00a0 The danger of apostasy is too great.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If it seems unfair to be excluded for what their forbears did several millennia before, we should remember that tribal instincts are very strong in Israel.\u00a0 We see an example of this when the apostle Paul states that one of the things he counted a gain was being of the tribe of Benjamin, Philippians 3:5.\u00a0 We see the principle at work in Noah\u2019s curse upon Canaan, Genesis 9:22,25.\u00a0 Even though it was Ham who had sinned in the immediate context, the tendency was inbred, and would come out in the Canaanites\u2019 behaviour centuries later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ephraim also is associated with idolatry.\u00a0 We remember the exclamation of Hosea, \u201cEphraim is joined to idols, let him alone\u201d, Hosea 4:17.\u00a0 There is another factor, however, in that Ephraim was the name given to the 10-tribed kingdom that revolted against David and his line, Isaiah 7:17.\u00a0 The great test in the last days for Israel will be whether they will swear allegiance to the King of kings, Christ their Messiah, or whether they will ally themselves with Antichrist.\u00a0 Ephraim\u2019s history of treachery and disloyalty to the true king in Jerusalem will mean they will forfeit their right to preach the gospel of the King before He comes.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is encouraging to notice, however, that despite being passed over for the privilege of preaching in the tribulation period, they shall have an allotted place in the kingdom, Ezekiel 48:1,5.\u00a0 The grace of God will deal with them, and the work of their Messiah at Calvary will cleanse them.\u00a0 This is what we learn from Genesis 49:16,17, for Jacob looked on to the last days, and saw Dan as one of the judges of Israel, despite the fact that he would also be a serpent in the way.\u00a0 The grace of God would overcome what he was by nature, and he would rule in the kingdom, as his name implies, for Dan means \u201cjudge\u201d.\u00a0 Ephraim also shall be reinstated, and Moses said that the ten thousands of Ephraim would push the people together to the ends of the earth, Deuteronomy 33:17.<\/span><\/p>\n

Verses 9-10\u00a0\u00a0The praises of the saved ones<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:9,10\u00a0 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;\u00a0 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number- w<\/span><\/strong>e are now shown the fruits of the labours of the sealed servants of God.\u00a0 Despite the pressures of the time, a great multitude of people turn to God, and wait for His Son to reign.\u00a0 So great was this multitude that no man could accurately tell how many they were; they seemed to stretch into the distance, a vast company testifying to the superior power of God, even when the power of Satan was great.\u00a0 John had heard the precise number of those sealed, because he will record later that the same number was found before God after their ministry is fulfilled.\u00a0 This company is beyond computation by men, but we are sure God knows each one.
\nOf all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues- <\/span><\/strong>w<\/strong>hereas the 144,000 were exclusively from Israel, this multitude is from every division of humanity. There are some from every nation, a political division; some from every kindred, a tribal division; some from every people, an ethnical division; and some from every tongue, a linguistical division.\u00a0 No matter how small the grouping, the evangelists have found them out, achieving in a small space of time more than evangelists of this present age have done in 2000 years.\u00a0 Freed from the divisions of humanity, they are united now, as with one voice they praise the God who has delivered them.
\nStood before the throne- <\/span><\/strong>t<\/span>hey stand before the throne, for they had refused to stand before the image of the beast and worship.\u00a0 They are like Elijah, who stormed into Ahab\u2019s palace to declare judgement upon him for going into idolatry, and said, \u201cAs the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand\u201d, 1 Kings 17:1.\u00a0 They declared by their faith that they had set the Lord always before them, and therefore they had not been moved, Psalm 16:8.
\nAnd before the Lamb- <\/span><\/strong>they stand before the Lamb, too, for they have learnt the redeeming power of His blood.\u00a0 The company at the end of chapter 6 were terrified at the prospect of the sight of the Lamb and His wrath as the Kinsman Avenger, 6:16,17, but these calmly stand before the Lamb, and express their deep gratitude to Him as their Kinsman Redeemer.
\nClothed with white robes- <\/span><\/strong>this<\/span> would denote their righteous character.\u00a0 They have expressed their faith in works of practical righteousness, thus demonstrating the genuineness of their belief in the gospel, for \u201cfaith without works is dead\u201d, James 2:20.\u00a0 The turmoil of the times has not prevented them from expressing their allegiance to God.\u00a0 In fact, this company will surely be amongst those present when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory and judges the living nations, Matthew 25:31-46.\u00a0 They will be those who have helped Christ\u2019s brethren in practical ways, as detailed there.\u00a0 Christ\u2019s brethren being the 144,000 evangelists who will need to be speeded on their way, and given hospitality on their journey.\u00a0 If these found time to do such things amidst the uproar of the great tribulation, should not we make the most of our opportunities in these calmer times? The apostle John commended Gaius for bringing forward on their journey those who went forth for Christ\u2019s sake, 3 John 5-7.
\nA<\/span>nd palms in their hands-<\/span><\/strong> the palm tree is a symbol of victory.\u00a0 The multitudes waved branches of palm trees when Christ rode into Jerusalem, and said, \u201cHosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord\u201d, John 12:13.\u00a0 This company welcomes His coming, too.\u00a0 The palm tree rises high above the arid desert, triumphing over the harsh conditions because its roots are deep down below the surface; fit symbol of those who rise high above the adversity of the tribulation period, because their springs are in God, Psalm 87:7.
\nAnd cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb-<\/span><\/strong> they cry with loud voice, for welling up from their hearts is deep thankfulness for His mercy towards them.\u00a0 The depth of their gratitude is expressed by the strength of their singing.\u00a0 Is there not a lesson here for us?\u00a0 They heartily ascribe salvation to God and the Lamb, for it is only by Divine intervention that they are where they are.\u00a0 Just as Jonah had been in the midst of the fury of the storm, but was delivered by God, and exclaimed, \u201cSalvation is of the Lord\u201d, Jonah 2:9, so these express a like thought.\u00a0 They knew that whatever the power of the one who sat upon the throne of the world, the Throne-Sitter in heaven was in complete control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Verses 11,12\u00a0The praises of the angels<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:11,12\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts- <\/span><\/strong>w<\/span>e have already noted that the ministry of angels is to further the interests of those who shall enter into the kingdom, Hebrews 1:14.\u00a0 But here their immediate task is done, for this company, and the 144,000 also, have arrived safely before the throne of God.\u00a0 They are free, then, to all gather together and join with them to praise God.\u00a0 Hebrews 12:22,23 looks on to a kingdom day when there can be a full gathering of angels, (\u201cthe general assembly\u201d means a full, festive gathering of angels), and here is one example.<\/span>
\n Note that the elders and four beasts, or living creatures, (who have no connection with the beasts of chapter 13), are silent at this point.\u00a0 That the elders are aware of who this company is becomes evident in verses 14-17, for those verses consist of the words of explanation the elder speaks to John.\u00a0 In the Book of the Revelation, it is the apostle John that represents the church.\u00a0 It is John who is taken into heaven at the sound of a trumpet in 4:1, just as the church shall be summoned to heaven by the same sound, 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16.\u00a0 And we find him voicing the aspiration of the church in 22:17,20 when he says \u201cEven so come, Lord Jesus\u201d, for he knows that the Spirit and the bride say \u201cCome\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The present writer believes that the four living creatures represent the material creation before God, safeguarding His interests in the world He has made, (four being the number connected with the earth, and the living creatures each representing one of the four groups of God\u2019s creatures), whereas the elders represent His spiritual interests in the world, just as the temple arrangements by David were governed by the number 24.\u00a0 If this is true, the question immediately arises, why do the elders not join in the praise?\u00a0 The answer is perhaps that the praise of the angels here is of God in a general way, ascribing various things to Him.\u00a0 The angels are not specific in their praise in relation to the salvation of these converts, (although they do say amen to that praise), which is why they do not praise the Lamb as they begin their own praise to God, verse 12.
\nAnd fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, \u2013 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen- <\/span><\/strong>note the wholeheartedness of their prostration before God, (for they are on their faces), and the fulness of their ascription of praise, for it is seven-fold: They bless God, for they have reason to speak well of God because of His ways with His creation.\u00a0 They ascribe glory to Him, magnifying His name for the way in which He has revealed Himself in light and love.\u00a0 They celebrate His wisdom, as they review His actions through the centuries, and this causes them deep thanksgiving, for they have a special interest in the furthering of His cause.\u00a0 All this means honour is due to Him, and this they give Him.\u00a0 They recognise that He has inherent power, and also strength, which is linked with the word prevail, and so tells of God\u2019s ability to overcome His foes and work out His purpose.\u00a0 They are convinced that the achievements of God have enduring qualities, and are confident nothing shall disturb the eternal praise that is due to God from His creatures, for it is for ever and for ever.\u00a0 They are not content to simply saying \u201cfor ever\u201d, but repeat the phrase to show it is certain- \u201cfor ever and ever\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Verses 13-14\u00a0The purity of the saved ones<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:13\u00a0 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We now have an intervention by one of the elders.\u00a0 That one can be singled out to talk with John surely shows that the elders are not a multitude, nor a metaphor, but twenty four individual angelic beings.\u00a0 Now that it is a question of the spiritual qualities of the converts, it is appropriate for a representative of God\u2019s spiritual interests to be introduced.\u00a0 He uses the technique common with the rabbis of Israel, namely asking a question in order to introduce an answer.\u00a0 The question is a double one- who are they, and where have they come from?<\/span><\/p>\n

7:14\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest- <\/span><\/strong>J<\/span>ohn either admits that he does not know when he says \u201cSir, thou knowest\u201d, or he does know but defers to the superior wisdom of the elder.
\nAnd he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation- <\/span><\/strong>t<\/span>he expression \u201cgreat tribulation\u201d is a very emphatic one, and could be translated as \u201cthe tribulation, the great one\u201d.\u00a0 This is because the time in question is the same as that Christ spoke of when He used the phrase, \u201cgreat tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be\u201d, Matthew 24:21.\u00a0 Similar words are used in Daniel 12:1, \u201ca time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time\u201d.\u00a0 Joel also spoke of this period, \u201ca day\u2026there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it\u201d, Joel 2:2.\u00a0 The time in question is the second half of Daniel\u2019s seventieth week, a time of unparalleled suffering and wrath.\u00a0 We should not confuse this tribulation with that which all believers should expect as they live in a hostile world.\u00a0 Acts 14:22 assures us that through much tribulation we shall enter the kingdom, and Romans 5:3 indicates that we are able to glory in those tribulations, because they are part of the outworking of God\u2019s purpose in us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those in view in this chapter are not necessarily saved only in the second half of the final seven-year period.\u00a0 \u201cHe that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved\u201d, is the Lord\u2019s comment before He spoke of the setting up of the image of the beast in the temple, which marks the mid-point of the seven-year period of judgement.\u00a0 The faith of this multitude had endured to the end of their earthly experience, whether that end came by martyrdom or not.\u00a0 It was not that they had merited salvation by enduring to the end, (as if salvation is of works, and as if someone who is not saved can endure), but rather, that their salvation enabled them to endure to the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

And have washed their robes- <\/span><\/strong>t<\/span>hey had lived through defiling times, when the profane actions of the antichrist were pervasive, yet these had kept their garments white.\u00a0 The word used for robe means a stately robe, such as the priests of Israel wore, or the young man at Christ\u2019s sepulchre.\u00a0 Such as, also, the best robe that was given to the prodigal son.\u00a0 He was not required to wash his rags to make himself presentable.\u00a0 He was given the best robe, the mark of sonship.\u00a0 So these have been robed by God as a result of their turning to Him.
\nAnd made them white in the blood of the Lamb- <\/span><\/strong>they kept that robe white despite the defilement all around them.\u00a0 They did this because of the effect of the blood of the Lamb, which not only redeems the soul, but sanctifies the character, for clothing in scripture speaks of character.\u00a0 When defilement threatened, or when defilement had occurred, these believers had availed themselves of the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from all unrighteousness, 1 John 1:7,9, and thus their character was purified.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Verses 15-17\u00a0\u00a0THE PROMISES TO THE SAVED ONES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7:15\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore are they before the throne of God- <\/span><\/strong>a <\/span>special place is reserved for these before the throne of God.\u00a0 Whereas Daniel, for instance, shall stand in his lot at the end of days, or, in other words, will be installed in the portion allotted to his tribe of Judah, these have a heavenly destiny.\u00a0 They refused allegiance to the one sitting on the throne of earth, and are recompensed by standing before the throne of God in heaven.
\nAnd serve Him day and night in His temple- <\/span><\/strong>t<\/span>hey refused to serve antichrist, so they forever serve God.\u00a0 Such is the glory of their position, that God will be at home in their midst, for He shall dwell among them, communing with them as their God, and they His people.\u00a0 They serve day and night in heaven, even though there is no night in heaven.\u00a0 The night is on earth, which perhaps contrasts their ministry with that of the earthly priesthood serving in the millennial temple.
\nAnd He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them- <\/span><\/strong>they refused to keep company with those who worshipped the beast, and did so at great cost to themselves, perhaps in isolation.\u00a0 They are recompensed fully by the presence of their God in their midst.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7:16,17\u00a0 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more- <\/span><\/strong>s<\/span>everal promises are made to them.\u00a0 First, they shall hunger and thirst no more.\u00a0 No man shall be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast, Revelation 13:17.\u00a0 They will have cried from the heart the words Christ taught His disciples, \u201cGive us this day our daily bread\u201d, Matthew 6:11.\u00a0 And no doubt, just as God provided ravens to feed Elijah with bread and flesh, 1 Kings 17:6, so He will do a similar thing again.\u00a0 It is evident however, that they will have known hunger and thirst despite these provisions, and they will be full recompensed.
\nNeither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat- <\/span><\/strong>f<\/span>orced to flee their homes, perhaps, they had sought refuge in the desert with its scorching heat.\u00a0 Now they know the pleasant atmosphere of heaven.
\nFor the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters- <\/span><\/strong>f<\/span>ierce beasts have persecuted them, as antichrist and his false prophet terrified the earth, but now they are in the green pastures and beside the living waters of Paradise, and instead of being hunted, they are shepherded.
\nAnd God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes- <\/span><\/strong>e<\/span>very tear they had shed, as sorrows overwhelmed them upon earth, shall be wiped away by the God of all consolation and comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

(c)\u00a0 www.Christian-gospel.info<\/span><\/p>\n

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Evangelists of the future and their converts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[190],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-revelation-7"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/512\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiangospel.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}