Revelation Chapter 7

There was a question asked in Revelation 6:17 for the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand? Part of this question is answered in Nahum Chapter One for one example as there are many scriptures detailing Gods great vengeance against His enemies and His mercy on those who are called by His name having the seal of God on them, Ephesians 4:30. Let’s move on into greater detail as who these are that have Gods seal upon them with the explanation of the 144,000 Jews and the great multitude of Gentiles that could not be numbered.

Revelation 7:1-4

John is given another vision after these things, meaning after the first six seals that are revealed to him. He now sees four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth in order that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree until Gods servants were sealed. of Dan and Ephraim as they fell to idol worship and allowed God to be removed from them, Judges 18:30; 1 Kings12:25-33; Hosea 5:9, 11;Psalms 78:9-17, 65-67.

These servants are the generational 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel, except for the tribe To keep it twelve tribes since Dan and Ephraim are not mentioned in vs. 4-8 the tribe of Joseph appears twice, once under his own name and once under the name of his son Issachar/Manasseh. Judah is mentioned first as Messiah was to come from the lineage of David.

Revelation 7:5-8

When studying the history of the twelve tribes of Israel being the sons of Jacob/Israel we find from 1047 B.C. and 931 B.C. the twelve tribes were under the leadership of three Kings, Saul, David and Solomon. Near the end of Solomon’s reign he fell into idolatry and God spoke of tearing apart the Kingdom as judgment for these sins, 1 Kings 11:10-12.

After Solomon’s death his son Rehoboam became King and those ten Northern tribes (Israel/Ephraim) rebelled against King Rehoboam and followed after Jeroboam up North causing a division of the north and south Kingdom. Only the tribe of Judah (Judah) and the tribe of Benjamin (Judah) stayed Loyal to King Rehoboam in the southern Kingdom for they kept Gods commandments as they knew David was the lineage of the promised Messiah as it was prophesied of the prophets of God. For almost two centuries the two Kingdoms where divided, but a remnant of the ten tribes soon came back to Judah after following Jeroboam as he turned the northern Kingdom into idol worshipers.

This is the importance of the 144,000 of the house of Israel and their generations unto the end of days. There were those of the old covenant that were faithful to God in keeping all his commandments and repented of their idol worshipping. Their generations who have also come back to Gods grace that are still alive during the seven trumpet sounds will continue to preach to the Jews as it was with the twelve disciples in Matthew 10:6. The generations of the 144,000 that are still alive have the seal of God on them which are the seven Spirits of God as they will have to endure much persecution until the end of days before the return of Jesus.

Seven Spirits of God are found in Isaiah 11:2 and mentioned in Rev 1:4.Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and fear/respect of the Lord.

Revelation 7:9-12

After John understands who these servants are that needed to be sealed of God were Jews he is now shown a great multitude of Gentiles from all over the world that stand before the throne of God and before Jesus. They are clothed in white robes and have palms in their hands. They are exclaiming that Salvation is of God that sits on the throne and unto the Son of God being the scarified Lamb, Psalms 3:8.

Revelation 7:13-14

In John’s vision the elder was asking John if he had understanding of those which are in white robes and how they came to be there. John did not recognize them as being Jews and asked the elder to explain who they are and where did they come from. The elder reveals to John these are they who have come out of great tribulation being Gentiles that have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and were baptized and received the Holy Spirit as the Jews have received.

John had to understand this in order to write this to the seven churches. Jews were always taught that the Gentiles were an unclean evil people full of idol worshipping and in no way could they be worthy of anything of God including his love. Jew’s were not allowed to associate with the Gentiles in fear they too would fall to their idol worshipping like they did when they followed after Jeroboam. The twelve Disciples were only allowed to go to the nations of Israel to preach, Matthew 10:5-7, but Peter was shown in a vision that the Gentiles were not unclean as they too needed to repent and come to God for his salvation.

Peter was summoned of God to go to the house of Cornelius, but to only preach for a short time as the door of salvation by faith was always opened to the Gentile, but it would be in Paul’s timing to walk through that door to preach to them, Acts Chapters 10, 11; Acts 22:21. Before Paul fully started teaching and baptizing many of them all they could do was get bits and pieces of Gods teachings by standing out side of the synagogues hearing the Prophets that spoke and mingling into the crowds that followed Jesus.

There is no difference between Jew or Gentile in the eyes of God as he created all people equal and is no respecter of person as Peter found out, Acts 10:34, 35. Galatians 3:26-29 says we are all children of God by faith. This faith in God started with Adam, but he lost his Spiritual fellowship with God when he chose to disobey Gods commands and needed to repent so the same with every generation from the time of Adam until the return of Jesus need to repent of their disobedience in order to have Gods promise of life eternal with him.

The terms Gentile and Jew were derived from nations and their cultures. Abraham is referred to as a Hebrew in Genesis 14:13. Hebrew means one from beyond and is derived from Eber (or Heber, Strong’s no. 5676) meaning the region beyond the Euphrates. The term Hebrew also is taken to mean to pass or to cross over. Abraham crossed over the River Euphrates to get to the land of Canaan, from Chaldea. Abraham was a Chaldean not a Jew.

The term Jew came from Abraham’s Great Grandson Judah in whom the land given to him was called Judea and the people called Judeans. The word Jew is a short term version of Judean and has nothing to do with race, but only that of a culture of people. The word Gentile is of Latin origin and means nations or foreigners meaning those who were born before Abraham. Abraham is our example of Gods faith as in the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 and to all nations, Romans 9:24-28, as no man is justified by the law in the sight of God as the just will live by faith, Galatians 3:11-13. The new covenant of grace is that of the promises Messiah now come that has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made the final blood sacrifice for the atonement of all men’s sin.

We have to remember these are visions given to John in his time to give to the seven churches to teach them of those things which have to come first before the return of Jesus. Before we start our study of the last seal that leads into the seven trumpets there are certain things that need to be clarified and understood. According to John 3:13; Ecclesiastics 12:7; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 there has never been anyone taken up to heaven, not even Enoch as he was taken by God, but does not say where he was taken, Genesis 5:24. The same with Elijah who was caught up in a whirlwind to the first heaven that is atmosphere not the heaven where God sits on his throne, 2 Kings 2:11, as several years after he was taken away in the whirlwind King Jehoram received a letter from him.

Enoch, Elijah and all the others before and after them that have faith in God and have kept his witness and testimony are all asleep in the grave as it is only our spirit that is taken up to God as he reserves it until the time when Jesus returns in the air.

The elder is trying to explain to John that those in the vision before the throne of God that are wearing white robes are Gentiles that have come from other nations that have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. These are the generations that Paul first taught in Acts 22:21 as he was commissioned of God to go to the gentile nations. They have come out of great tribulation that the world has not seen yet as they kept the witness and testimony of the word of God as they went about preaching to those during the time of Gods final wrath on earth as we will see in our study of the seven trumpets and the two witnesses.

Revelation 7:15-17

This is speaking of the end of time after earth and heaven (atmosphere) have been purified from all the abominations that has caused much desolation (sin) in the world and then at that time will the heaven and earth be restored and the New Jerusalem ushered down from God where we will have eternal life with the Father.

Genesis 12:1-3 (LEB)

The Call of AbramAnd Adonai said to Abram, “Go out from your land and from your relatives, and from the house of your father, to the land that I will show you.The Call of AbramAnd Adonai said to Abram, “Go out from your land and from your relatives, and from the house of your father, to the land that I will show you.2And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great. And you will be a blessing.2And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great. And you will be a blessing.3And I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse. And all families of the earth will be blessed in you.”3And I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse. And all families of the earth will be blessed in you.”

Genesis 14:13 (LEB)

ThenOr “And” one who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. And he was living at the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies with Abram.“And they were owners of a covenant of Abram”13ThenOr “And” one who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. And he was living at the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies with Abram.“And they were owners of a covenant of Abram”

Genesis 5:24 (LEB)

And Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God took him.24And Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God took him.

Judges 18:30 (LEB)

And the descendantsOr “sons/children” of Dan set up for themselves the carved divine image, and Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Manasseh,Other ancient versions read “Moses” he and his sons were priests for the tribe of the Danites until the time of the captivity of the land.30And the descendantsOr “sons/children” of Dan set up for themselves the carved divine image, and Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Manasseh,Other ancient versions read “Moses” he and his sons were priests for the tribe of the Danites until the time of the captivity of the land.

1 Kings 11:10-12 (LEB)

And he had commanded him concerning this matter not to go after other gods, but he did not keep that which Adonai commanded.10And he had commanded him concerning this matter not to go after other gods, but he did not keep that which Adonai commanded.11So Adonai said to Solomon, “Because this was with you, and you did not keep my covenant and my ordinances which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom from you, and I will give it to your servant.11So Adonai said to Solomon, “Because this was with you, and you did not keep my covenant and my ordinances which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom from you, and I will give it to your servant.12However, I will not do it in your days, for the sake of David your father; from the hand of your son I will tear it away.12However, I will not do it in your days, for the sake of David your father; from the hand of your son I will tear it away.

2 Kings 2:11 (LEB)

Then they were walking, talking as they went. Suddenly a fiery chariot with horses of fire appeared and separated between the two of them. Elijah went up in the storm to the heavens11Then they were walking, talking as they went. Suddenly a fiery chariot with horses of fire appeared and separated between the two of them. Elijah went up in the storm to the heavens

Isaiah 11:2 (LEB)

And the spirit of Adonai shall rest on him — a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and the fear of Adonai.2And the spirit of Adonai shall rest on him — a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and the fear of Adonai.

Hosea 5:9 (LEB)

Ephraim will be a desolation in the day of punishment; among the tribes of Israel I will reveal what is true.9Ephraim will be a desolation in the day of punishment; among the tribes of Israel I will reveal what is true.

Matthew 10:5-7 (LEB)

Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them saying, “Do not go on the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans,5Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them saying, “Do not go on the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans,6but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.6but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And as youHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are going”) which is understood as temporal are going, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near!’7And as youHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are going”) which is understood as temporal are going, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near!’

Matthew 10:6 (LEB)

but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.6but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

John 3:13 (LEB)

And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.13And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.

Acts 10:34 (LEB)

So Peter opened his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun mouth andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“opened”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “In truth I understand that God is not one who shows partiality,34So Peter opened his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun mouth andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“opened”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “In truth I understand that God is not one who shows partiality,

Acts 22:21 (LEB)

And he said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”21And he said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”

Romans 9:24-28 (LEB)

us whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?24us whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?25As he also says in Hosea, “I will call those who were not my people, ‘My people,’ and those who were not loved, ‘Loved.’from Hos 2:2325As he also says in Hosea, “I will call those who were not my people, ‘My people,’ and those who were not loved, ‘Loved.’from Hos 2:2326And it will be in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”from Hos 1:1026And it will be in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”from Hos 1:1027And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Even if the number of the sons of Israel is like the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved,27And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Even if the number of the sons of Israel is like the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved,28for the Lord will execute his sentence thoroughly and decisively“for the Lord will act, closing the account and cutting short” upon the earth.”A paraphrased quotation from Isa 10:22–2328for the Lord will execute his sentence thoroughly and decisively“for the Lord will act, closing the account and cutting short” upon the earth.”A paraphrased quotation from Isa 10:22–23

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (LEB)

Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,51Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,52in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.52in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.53For it is necessary for this perishable body to put on incorruptibility, and this mortal body to put on immortality.53For it is necessary for this perishable body to put on incorruptibility, and this mortal body to put on immortality.54But whenever this perishable body puts on incorruptibility and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: “Death is swallowed up in victory.54But whenever this perishable body puts on incorruptibility and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: “Death is swallowed up in victory.55Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?55Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?56Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.56Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!58So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because youHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.58So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because youHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 3:26-29 (LEB)

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Or “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith”26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Or “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith”27for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.27for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:11-13 (LEB)

Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”Or “the one who is righteous by faith will live,” a quotation from Hab 2:411Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”Or “the one who is righteous by faith will live,” a quotation from Hab 2:412But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”from Lev 18:512But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”from Lev 18:513Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming”) which is understood as means becoming a curse for us, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”from Deut 21:2313Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming”) which is understood as means becoming a curse for us, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”from Deut 21:23

Ephesians 4:30 (LEB)

and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.30and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (LEB)

The Comfort of the Lord’s ReturnNow we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.13The Comfort of the Lord’s ReturnNow we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him.15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep.15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.18Therefore comfort one another with these words.18Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Revelation 7:13-14 (LEB)

And one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are dressed in the white robes — who are they, and from where have they come?”13And one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are dressed in the white robes — who are they, and from where have they come?”14And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.14And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:15-17 (LEB)

Because of this, they are before the throne of God, and they serveOr “worship” him day and night in his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter“will take up residence over” them.15Because of this, they are before the throne of God, and they serveOr “worship” him day and night in his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter“will take up residence over” them.16They will not be hungry any longer or be thirsty any longer, nor will the sun ever beat down on them, nor any heat,An allusion to Isa 49:1016They will not be hungry any longer or be thirsty any longer, nor will the sun ever beat down on them, nor any heat,An allusion to Isa 49:1017because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and will lead them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”An allusion to Isa 25:817because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and will lead them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”An allusion to Isa 25:8

Revelation 7:9-12 (LEB)

The Great Crowd before the ThroneAfter these things I looked, and behold, a great crowd that no one was able to number, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes and with palm branches in their hands.9The Great Crowd before the ThroneAfter these things I looked, and behold, a great crowd that no one was able to number, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes and with palm branches in their hands.10And they were crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”10And they were crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”11And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,11And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,12saying, “Amen! Praise and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever“for the ages of the ages”. Amen!”12saying, “Amen! Praise and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever“for the ages of the ages”. Amen!”

Revelation 7:1-4 (LEB)

The Sealing of the 144,000After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.The Sealing of the 144,000After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.2And I saw another angel ascending from the east“from the rising of the sun”, holding the seal of the living God, and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels who were given permission“to whom was granted to them” to damage the earth and the sea,2And I saw another angel ascending from the east“from the rising of the sun”, holding the seal of the living God, and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels who were given permission“to whom was granted to them” to damage the earth and the sea,3saying, “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the slaves of our God on their foreheads.”3saying, “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the slaves of our God on their foreheads.”4And I heard the number of the ones who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:4And I heard the number of the ones who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

Revelation 7:5-8 (LEB)

from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand sealed, from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand,5from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand sealed, from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand,6from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand,6from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand,7from the tribe of Simeon,Or “Symeon,” an alternate spelling of the Greek form of the name twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand,7from the tribe of Simeon,Or “Symeon,” an alternate spelling of the Greek form of the name twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand,8from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.8from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

Revelation 6:17 (LEB)

because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”17because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”