Revelation 7:1

  “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”

 

Revelation 7:1

“And after these things”

• “These things” refers to what John had seen in chapters 4, 5, and 6
• Chapter 7 answers the question which ended chapter 6: “who shall be able to stand?”
• This question was asked after the events of the 6^th seal were described, which describes the beginning of the 2^nd Coming

• John is now going to describe in chapter 7 those who will be standing (serving Jesus) at Jesus’ 2^nd Coming

“I saw”

• This term is used to introduce a new scene or symbol

“four angels”

• These angels represent the divine agencies in the world involved in holding back the forces of evil 
• These angels represent all of God’s angels involved in protecting the entire world

 “standing on the four corners of the earth”

• “Four corners” represents the entire earth  (Isaiah 11:12, Eze. 7:2)

“holding the four winds”

• Usually the four winds represent the four directions of the compass (Dan. 8:8)
• Here the four winds represent the destructive forces being held back
• These destructive forces involve Satan’s actions and also God’s actions

 “should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree”

• These three can represent the universal nature of the destruction (earth, sea, and trees)
• However, this has a special application to the plagues which will fall after the sealing has occurred
• The earth --- 1^st plague poured on (Rev. 16:2)
• The sea --- the 2^nd plague poured on (Rev. 16:3)
• The trees --- the trees can represent God’s people (see Psalms 1:3) who will be protected from death only after the close of probation (Dan.11:35, Rev. 9:4)

 

Revelation 7:2 

“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,”

 

Revelation 7:2

“And I saw another angel”

• This is another angel in addition to the four angels previously described

“ascending from the east”      

• Literally “from the rising of the sun”
• Jesus will come from the east
• East can be seen as where God’s throne is
• This suggests this angel is coming from God’s throne

 “having the seal”

• Seals attested to authorship and ownership
• Seals secured things
• The seal or mark in Ezekiel 9:2-6 signified those to be saved
• This seal would be for God’s people at the time of the end
• The sealing time would occur prior to the completion of the sealing
• A seal must have the persons name , title , and territory
• Exodus 20:8-11 : name= Lord thy God, title = Creator, territory = heavens and earth
• The Sabbath is God’s sign or seal or mark of His creating and redeeming power
• This seal is on the forehead (Rev. 7:3) because we serve God with our minds (Romans 7:25)
• God’s seal (His sign of authority) is found in His 4^th commandment (see Exodus 31:13)

“of the living God”

• “El Chai” the Living One, has unending life

“he cried with a loud voice”

• A loud or great or mighty voice in Revelation is usually associated with judgment (Rev. 5:2, 14:6, 16:1, 18:2)

 “to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea”

• The four angels who are involved in protecting the earth and sea (Rev. 7:1) are now described as hurting them
• The earth and sea will be hurt when these angels are withdrawn (see Rev. 16:1-3)

 

Revelation 7:3 

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

 

Revelation 7:3

“Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees”

• This phrase can represent the entire world
• However, this applies better to each: earth, sea, and trees (see comments on Rev. 7:1) 

“till we have sealed”

• The earth, sea and trees are to be protected until God’s people are sealed

• Satan will be released after God’s people are sealed (see Rev. 9:1-4)
• God’s wrath will also be released after God’s people are sealed since Satan’s people are sealed or marked then also (see Rev. 15:1, 16:1,2)
• Both Satan’s wrath and God’s wrath will affect the world simultaneously!

“the servants of our God”

• Greek “douloi” meaning “slaves”: God’s slaves

“in their foreheads”

• The mark or seal represents character qualifications (Ezekiel 9:4)
• God’s people will be marked in their foreheads as a sign of their choice and commitment to serve Him (see Rev. 9:4)

• Satan’s people will receive their mark in their foreheads or in their hands (Rev. 13:16, 14:9) representing their choice (foreheads) or actions (hands)

 

 

Revelation 7:4 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:4

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed”

• John was told the number

“there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand”

• This could be a literal number however, the rest of the vision is very symbolic suggesting that this number is also symbolic 
• 144,000 is 12 times 12,000 (the 12 tribes)
• These are those who will be “able to stand” (Rev. 6:17)
• These are those who have the seal of the Living God (Rev.7:2)
• Their sealing delays the four winds (Rev. 7:3)
• They will be found with Jesus (Rev.14:1)
• They have no guile, are without fault (Rev.14:5)
• They are the first fruits unto God (Rev. 14:4)
• They will sing a song that no man can learn (Rev. 14:3)

 “of all the tribes of the children of Israel”

• These 12 tribes listed are not the same list as the O.T. tribes of Israel (Num. 1:5-15)
• This list of 12 is not the same as the 12 sons of Jacob (Gen. 35:22-26)
• This list of Israel’s tribes in Revelation excludes Dan and Ephraim and adds Levi and Joseph
• The spelling of the names is also different since in Greek not Hebrew
• Not literal Israel but spiritual Israel (Christian church)
• These 12 tribes are symbolic of spiritual aspects or characteristics of the saved
• The 12 gates of the New Jerusalem will have the 12 tribes names on them (Rev. 21:12)

 

Revelation 7:5 

“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.

 

Revelation 7:5

“Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand”

• Each of the 12 tribes listed will have 12,000 sealed for a total of 144,000
• Each of the sealed will belong to one of these 12 groups
• Each of these tribes will represent certain characteristics or experiences of God’s people
• Judah means “praise”--- they will praise God

 “Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Reuben means “behold a son” --- they will be sons of God

“Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Gad means “the seer” or “fortune” --- they will be prophets for God

 

Revelation 7:6 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:6

“Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Aser means happy --- they will be happy serving their God

“Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Nephthalim means “wrestling”--- they will wrestle with their God and not give up 

 “Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Manasses means “causing forgetfulness”--- they will help others forget their trials and serve God

 

Revelation 7:7 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:7

“Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Simeon means “hearing”--- they will hear their God and obey (Rev. 2:29, 3:22)

“Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Levi means “joined” --- they will be joined together to serve God (unity)

“Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Issachar means “reward” --- they will receive their reward from God

 

Revelation 7:8 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:8

“Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Zabulon means “dwelling” --- they will find their dwelling place with God

“Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Joseph means “increasor”--- they will find their increase in God

“Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand”

• 12,000 sealed
• Benjamin means “son of the right hand” --- they will be God’s right hand on earth

 

 

Revelation 7:9 

“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;”

 

Revelation 7:9

“After this I beheld”

• Some suggest that this means after this vision was complete
• However, this could also mean that he now is going to see something that will occur after the sealing has been complete

“lo, a great multitude”

• This multitude may represent all those who were saved including the 144,000
• Some suggest that this group is the same as the 144,000, however, one is numbered and one is not
• This also could represent all those who lived and died after the 3^rd angels message (mark of the beast) however, they do not all experience the “great tribulation”

• Since the setting of this vision is the same as Revelation chapters 4, 5, & 6 this would suggest that this describes those involved in the last day events
• Also they are described the same as the last day audience (see Rev. 14:6,7)

• However, the ones who experience the “great tribulation” are only the 144,000        
• The 144,000 are those who “will stand” (Rev.6:17) at the 2^nd Coming and therefore are the righteous living at Jesus 2^nd Coming
• These 144,000 will be translated at Jesus’ Coming and will “follow the Lamb” (Rev. 14:4)

 “which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues”

• This group “nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” is the last day audience described in Rev. 14:6,7 and Rev. 5:9
• This is the audience for the 3 angels’ messages involved in the investigative judgment
• This would include the 144,000 who survive

 “stood before the throne”

• This is God’s throne (see Rev. 4:2)

“before the Lamb”

• Jesus is “the Lamb of God” (John1:29)
• Jesus is seen standing as a Lamb Slain (Rev. 5:6) standing in the throne room as our Advocate

 “clothed with white robes”

• Greek “stole” means a long robe worn as a mark of distinction. White represents purity
• These white robes are white because they have been washed in Jesus’ blood (Rev. 7:13)
• These robes represent Jesus’ righteousness

“palms”

• Symbols of rejoicing and victory (see John 12:13)

 

Revelation 7:10 

“And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

 

Revelation 7:10

“Salvation to our God”

• This verse ascribes salvation to God and to the Lamb
• Both God and the Lamb are responsible for our salvation

“which sitteth”

• This refers to God who sits on the throne (see Rev. 4:2)
• This connects to the throne room scene (Rev.4)

 

Revelation 7:11 

“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,”

 

Revelation 7:11

“the elders”

• This refers to the 24 elders (Rev. 4:4)

“the four beasts”

• This refers to the four beasts or creatures (Rev. 4:6)

“fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God”

• Created beings response to God’s presence 

 

Revelation 7:12 

“Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

Revelation 7:12

“Saying, Amen”

• Jesus is the Amen (Rev.5:14)
• Means true, truly, or verily

“Blessing”

• This begins a sevenfold doxology praising God: blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might

 

Revelation 7:13 

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?”

 

Revelation 7:13

“And one of the elders answered”

• This is one of the 24 elders (Rev. 4:4)

“What are these which are arrayed in white robes?”

• Better “who are these”
• Refers to either the 144,000 (Rev. 7:4) or to the “great multitude” (Rev.7:9)
• Since the multitude has white robes some suggest that this refers to the “multitude”

• However, they are also described as surviving the “great tribulation” which applies only to the 144,000
• One possible solution is that both groups are the same and that the number 144,000 is symbolic of the “great multitude”

 

Revelation 7:14 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:14

“came out”

• This suggests they survived the tribulation
• The only ones who survive are those who “stand” (Rev. 6:17)
• The only ones who “stand” are the 144,000

“and he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation”

• Some suggest that this tribulation applies to all ages or to that described in Revelation chapter six (the seals)
• However, Jesus described this same great tribulation and applied it to the last days (see Matthew 24)
• This “great tribulation” is the same as the time of trouble that Daniel described in Daniel 12:1
• This tribulation is the same one that Jesus linked to the final great deception (Matt. 24)
• This “great tribulation” will occur at the close of probation after the 144,000 are sealed (Rev.7:3,4) and involves the harming of the earth, sea and the trees
• The harming of the earth and sea will occur when the plagues are poured out (Rev.16:2,3)

 “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

• These saved have washed their robes and been purified by Jesus’ blood
• This group is special because they will serve Him day and night (Rev. 7:15)

 

Revelation 7:15 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:15

“Therefore are they”

• They are saved because they have washed their robes in Jesus blood

“before the throne of God”

• They will minister before God’s throne

“and serve him day and night”

• They will serve Him day and night in His temple  

 “in his temple”

• Greek “naos” meaning dwelling place

“he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them”

• “Dwell” means “pitch his tent over them”
• God will live with them
• God’s presence will always be with them 

 

Revelation 7:16 

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.”

 

Revelation 7:16

“They shall hunger no more”

• They not hunger any more literally or spiritually
• This verse quotes Isaiah 49:10
• This suggests that starvation will be a problem that these survivors experience

“neither thirst”

• They will suffer lack of water

 “neither shall the sun light on them”

• These survivors will also suffer from the hot sun and the heat
• These same tribulations will occur during the seven last plagues (famine, lack of water, and excessive heat) which further connects these people to the 144,000 who exist during the plagues

 

Revelation 7:17 

“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.”

 

Revelation 7:17

“the Lamb”

• Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29)

“midst of the throne”

• Jesus is the closest of all to God’s throne

“shall feed”

• Greek “poimaino” means “to shepherd”
• Here the Lamb is the Shepherd!

 “living fountains of waters”

• Jesus is the source of “living waters” (see John 9:14, Jeremiah 2:13, Rev. 22:1)

“wipe away all tears”

• God will wipe away all tears (Isaiah 25:8)
• See Revelation 21:4

 

Summary

• Revelation chapter 7 is the answer to the question at the end of Revelation chapter 6: “who shall be able to stand?”
• The chapter begins by describing God’s ongoing control of world events as His four angels holding back the winds of the earth
• These winds are being held back from harming the earth, sea, and the trees
• The earth represents those the 1^st plague will fall on
• The sea represents what will be affected by the 2^nd plague
• The trees represent God’s people who will be spared after the close of probation
• God’s people are described as sealed prior to the release of the four angels and are called the 144,000
• God’s people are sealed in their foreheads which indicates a conscious decision to serve Him
• Each of the 12 tribes listed represent the different characteristics of God’s people
• They are described as coming out of the great tribulation and serving God day and night forever