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Is Revelation Chapter 7 the Rapture of the Church?
Will the Church Go Through the Great Tribulation?
Verse by Verse Study of Revelation Chapter 7
This is a VERSE-by-VERSE study of chapter 7 in the Book of Revelation.
This verse-by-verse study on the Book of Revelation is from or with a Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
In other words, verses like Revelation 1:8 are interpreted in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God and NOT in the TRADITIONAL church interpretation.
To say this another way, it is NOT Jesus who is the one speaking in Revelation 1:8.
But rather, it is Almighty God the Father speaking in Revelation 1:8.
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Revelation Chapter 7.
There are SEVEN Pictures of the Rapture in Revelation!
Revelation 7:9-17 is a picture or figure of the rapture of the church.
The first SIX seals, the first SIX trumpets, and the first SIX vials take place during the “tribulation of those days” in Matthew 24:29, which has come to be called the period of the GREAT tribulation.
Then the rapture of the church takes place BETWEEN the great tribulation and the WRATH of God, which Jesus will execute at his coming to rapture the church to escape the WRATH of God.
Let us get started with chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation.
Is Revelation Chapter 7 the Rapture of the Church?
Will the Church Go Through the Great Tribulation?
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Who Are the 144,000 in the Bible?
Let us begin this verse-by-verse study in Revelation chapter 7 laying aside any preconceived belief in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church.
In other words, be open to what the Bible itself is teaching us over what church tradition has taught us.
With that being said, here is verse 1 of Revelation 7.
Revelation 7:1. “And after these things I saw four angels standing upon 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.”
We see that the first phrase says, “and after THESE THINGS”.
What things? The things we were just told about in the opening of the SIXTH SEAL, the SIGNS in the sun, the moon, the stars, and the great shaking of the earth.
Then we see four angels HOLDING BACK the four winds, so that they should not blow as yet. WHY?
For you see, the WRATH of God is just about to be poured out on the world.
And since the church is not appointed to God’s WRATH, something must take place first.
Keep reading and you will see what takes place right before the SEVENTH seal is opened.
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.”
In this verse, we see ANOTHER angel crying out loud, or shouting out if you will, wait, wait I have the seal of the living God.
In other words, just in the nick of time, perhaps seconds before the WRATH of God is poured out upon the world.
And God’s people, the Jews, the 12 tribes of Israel will be SEALED with God’s protection so that they will not be killed during the wrath of God.
But NOT ALL of God’s people, the Jews, will be sealed as you will see as you continue reading.
Revelation 7:3. “Saying hurt NOT the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, TILL we have SEALED the servants of God in their foreheads.”
Now, there have been some misunderstandings about who the 144,000 are in the Book of Revelation.
And there have been some incorrect interpretations of this verse of Scripture due to the false teaching of the PRE-tribulation point of view.
In other words, some Christians interpret that the “servants of God” in this verse of Scripture are referring to the Christians who are being sealed.
However, the “servants of God” is speaking of the Jews, God’s chosen people. Continue reading verses 4-8 and you will clearly see this TRUTH.
There are several places in the book of Revelation where we see TWO groups of God’s people, one group keeps the WORD of God and the other group has the testimony of Jesus.
And in this chapter as well you will see that the TWO groups of God's people are a REMNANT of Israel which is SEALED and the Christians who are granted ETERNAL LIFE.
Revelation 7:4. “And I heard the number of them which were SEALED an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
Revelation 7:5. Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Revelation 7:6. Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
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 7:8. Of the tribe of Zabbulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.”
So then, twelve thousand from EACH of the twelve tribes of ISRAEL will be SEALED as the servants of God. A total number of 144,000 sealed and protected from the coming WRATH of God.
All of the unsaved Jews will suffer the WRATH of God for their rejecting Jesus as their Messiah.
And thus, many Jews will be killed by the Islamic Muslim armies seeking to kill every last Jew in Israel.
But God has promised to protect a REMNANT of His people in Isaiah 11:11. So then, we see theWRATH of God is about to BLOW upon the earth, the sea and the trees.
Often times the word “sea” represents the wicked, and the trees sometimes represent God’s people.
For example, and the trees of the fields will clap their hands, in Isaiah 55:12.
Certainly, the fig tree represents the chosen people of Israel, and perhaps the fir tree and other trees speak of good righteous people who repent at the second coming of Jesus.
Or it may be the literal seas, oceans, and trees. Or it could be both literal and symbolic. Just a thought.
Revelation 7:9. “After this I beheld, and lo, a GREAT MULTITUDE, which no man could number, of ALL the nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood BEFORE the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with WHITE robes, and palms in their hands.
Revelation 7:10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sits upon the throne, AND unto the Lamb.”
Now, who is this GREAT MULTITUDE of people going to be, which no man could number, that was comprised of people from every nation and tongue?
Who will be standing before the throne of God Almighty and before the Lamb of God?
Who is this great multitude of people all clothed in white robes, where the angel cries out WAIT, WAIT, hold back the WRATH of God, until we SEAL the 144,000 of the twelve tribes of Israel?
Keep reading and you will see.
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 worshiped God.
Revelation 7:12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever, Amen.”
Again, the “angels” may be angels only, as in, angelic beings.
Or they may also include the saints of God, His “messengers”.
For you see, the word “angels” also means messengers.
Anyway, they ALL worshiped Almighty God, the Father, because they all fell on their faces before the THRONE.
And we have previously learned that it is Almighty God, who sits upon the throne, and the Lamb, Jesus, His now glorified Son is at His right hand.
This is not to say that they were not worshiping God’s Son as well.
Philippians 2:11 teaches us that all the worship given to Jesus is to the glory of the Father when we worship.
Please remember, according to John 5:23,24, God commands us to praise and honor Jesus, in the same way we honor the Father.
Thus, the Father is glorified at the same time when we glorify His now glorified Son, who was SLAIN for the sins of the world and FOUND WORTHY to RECEIVE glory, honor and POWER, according to Revelation 5:12.
Also, I want you to notice that the THRONE of God is no longer said to be set in HEAVEN.
The tabernacle or dwelling place of Almighty God is come down to the heavens of the earth.
Remember that 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says, we will be caught up in the CLOUDS and taken to meet Jesus in the AIR.
Now, the city of God does not actually come all of the way down to rest on the surface of the earth until the NEW heavens and the NEW earth is created by God at the END of the thousand year reign of Jesus.
Revelation 7:13. “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, WHAT are these which are arrayed in white robes? And WHERE came they? (Or where did they come from?)
Revelation 7:14. And I said unto him, Sir you know, and he said unto me, THESE are they which came OUT of great tribulation, AND washed their robes, (Or they kept sin out of their lives by overcoming sin, repenting and confessing their sins, in order to be found worthy to receive eternal life at the coming of Jesus.
And WASHED THEIR robes, speaking of the 144,000 sealed Jews those left alive of the nations who REPENT and call upon Jesus to be saved DURING the 1000-year reign of Jesus) AND have made them white in the blood of the lamb.”
So then, this great multitude, which no man could number, from every nationality and tongue, are the CHRISTIANS who went THROUGH the period of great tribulation.
And thus, we the church will be raptured IMMEDIATELY AFTER the time of great tribulation, just as the WRATH of God is about to be poured out upon the earth, along with the ungodly and disobedient to the gospel.
In other words, the angel was crying out WAIT, WAIT, do not pour out the wrath of God, UNTIL the ELECT of God have been MARKED with the seal of God.
Again, the 144,000 servants of God are sealed and protected from the wrath of God.
In other words, when Jews (who are SEEKING God’s Messiah) SEE Jesus in the AIR, then THEY will call upon the NAME of Yahweh to be saved.
Thus, they will WASH their robes in the blood of the Lamb as well, but it will be TOO LATE for them to receive eternal life at that TIME.
They will remain in their MORTAL bodies and learn about Jesus during the 1000-year reign of Jesus from generation to generation.
Now, I am on the fence and undecided as yet, whether the 144,000 sealed Jews are the total number of Jews called the REMNANT of Israel, who will go into the 1000-year reign of Jesus in their MORTAL bodies.
Some verses lead me to believe they will take part in the rapture of the church, being caught up into the AIR in their MORTAL bodies, to be protected and saved alive.
Yet, other verses lead me to believe, there has to be a REMNANT of God's chosen people, Israel, on the surface of the earth to flee through the mountain pass, made by the great earthquake when the feet of Jesus touch the mountaintop.
So it MAY be, the 144,000 is not the entire remnant of Israel.
Anyway, we know for sure that the rapture of the church includes those who have the testimony of Jesus, who have kept sin out of their lives.
And we also know the SEALING, or the marking and protecting, of the 144,000 children of Israel, the “servants of God” takes place between the sixth and the seventh seals.
In other words, ALL of chapter seven takes place BETWEEN the sixth and the seventh.
Please keep this in mind as we read later about the seven trumpets and the seven vials because, you will again see a space or short span of time between the sixth and the seventh trumpet as well as the sixth and the seventh vial.
Again, the rapture occurs during this brief space of time, which gives us a clue that the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven vials are all one and the same event.
Let me explain what I mean by this. Picture a map with a small circle around some very tiny print.
Then over to the side, we see the MAGNIFIED view of the small circled area. In this view, we see this circled area enlarged, showing greater detail.
This is the way the Book of Revelation is written. First, we are told prophetic things, then later on, we are told additional prophetic things.
And, in reality, they are a more defined description of what we were already told, plus new information as well.
Yet again, a third time we are given even more information about the SAME events.
You will see clearly, BOTH the SEVENTH trumpet and the SEVENTH vial are the WRATH of God.
And we already know and understand that the WRATH of God is being ANNOUNCED in the SIXTH seal as having arrived (or is just about ready to be poured out) by the phrase, “Who can bear it?”.
Thus, the SEVENTH seal is ALSO the WRATH of God, the first HALF of His wrath, to be executed by the Lamb.
So then, in the opening of the SEVENTH seal, all we see is SILENCE in heaven for the space of 1/2 an hour.
Again, this speaks of the first HALF of the wrath of God, more on this when we get to chapter 8.
For now, I am seeing the SEVENTH SEAL being the WRATH of God, while chapter 7 verses 9-17 being the RAPTURE of the church, just before the SEVENTH seal is opening in chapter 8.
Remember that I said in chapter 5 there are SEVEN types of figures of the rapture of the church found in the Book of Revelation. Moving on to verse 15.
Revelation 7:15. “Therefore are they before the THRONE of God, and serve him day and night in His TEMPLE; and he that sits upon the throne shall dwell among them.”
Know you not that YOU are the TEMPLE of Almighty God the FATHER?
To me, I see TWO meanings in this verse. I want you to notice that God, Almighty God the Father, the one who sits upon the throne, shall DWELL AMONG us, speaking of the church in the CITY of God.
Thus, the THRONE shall be the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, Jesus, whom He SET on His THRONE as the God over the whole earth.
Therefore, THRONE of the God, is the THRONE of the now glorified Jesus and his BODY, the church.
Thus, we will rule and reign with Jesus over the people who will still be in their mortal bodies. In other words, we will RULE OVER the earth for 1,000 years WITH Jesus from His kingdom in the AIR.
The City or the New Jerusalem will not come down to the surface of the earth until after the 1000-year reign of Jesus.
That is when God Himself will create the NEW earth and also come down and dwell among His NEW CREATION of righteous people.
Compare this verse with Revelation 5:10 and Revelation 21:3,4.
Also, notice that this verse begins with the phrase THEREFORE they are before the THRONE.
The word “therefore” means because of this very reason. What is the very reason the saints are before the throne of God?
Having COME OUT of GREAT tribulation with WHITE robes, which is the righteousness of the SAINTS, according to Revelation 19:8.
That is the very reason why these saints are given the RIGHT to the tree of life and ENTRY INTO the city of God to be before his THRONE.
Now, I have had some Christians try and argue, the words “having come out of great tribulation” means that they were delivered FROM going through great tribulation, BEFORE the great tribulation begins.
But their “interpretation” of the Scriptures, do not fit the meaning of the CONTEXT when the next word is
“THEREFORE”.
You see dear children of God, whenever you see the word “therefore”, find out the reason why it is there for.
Then remember the bigger context which may be the previous chapter and or the next chapter.
Sometimes the context spans many chapters. The previous chapter 6 in the opening of the SIXTH seal, in the last verse teaches that the WRATH is just about to be poured out, then in the first verse of chapter 7 we see “wait, wait” and then something happens before the SEVENTH seal is opened.
If you keep in mind that there are SEVEN types, or figures of the RAPTURE of the church. You will clearly see that the rapture will take place BETWEEN the SIXTH and the SEVENTH.
In other words, there are seven SEALS. There are seven TRUMPETS. And there are seven VIALS.
And as we arrive at those chapters you will see that the rapture occurs right after the SIXTH and right before the SEVENTH in all three.
So then, what I am saying is that chapter 7 is just one of the seven types or figures of the RAPTURE of the church.
We saw the first figure of the rapture in chapter 5 and this one in chapter 7 is the second example of the seven total types of figures of the rapture found in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 7:16. “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
Revelation 7:17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall LEAD them unto living waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Notice, there will be no more hunger or no more thirsting in the kingdom of God UPON the surface of the earth, because Jesus will FEED them.
Obviously, there will also be no hunger in the city of God either.
For the Lamb, Jesus, the Son of God will provide for all our needs and God HIMSELF will wipe away all our tears at the coming of Jesus.
But, the MORTAL people on the earth will still need to be LEAD to drink from the living waters.
So, you see that there is a Kingdom of HEAVEN and also the Kingdom of God on the EARTH.
Let us jump ahead to Revelation chapter 21 for a moment and read the 3rd and 4th verses.
Revelation 21:3,4.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is WITH MEN, and He (Almighty God the FATHER) will dwell WITH THEM, (In other words, those saved during the 1000-year reign of Jesus will ALSO become the TEMPLE of Almighty God the Father to have Yahweh Himself dwelling in them) and they shall be His people, and God HIMSELF shall be with THEM, and be their God.
Revelation 21:4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, (People on the surface of the earth will DIE during the 1000-year reign of Jesus.
For you see, the AGE of man during the Millennial reign of Jesus will be 100 years of age, according to Isaiah 65:20) neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Now, for some Christians, I know that this is different than what you have all been taught by church TRADITION and doctrines of men about going to heaven, when we die and live with God for eternity up in heaven.
But please know and understand, the Bible ITSELF teaches that there will be a NEW earth.
And thus, we shall dwell UPON this new earth and Almighty God HIMSELF along with His Son, Jesus, will come down out of heaven and dwell WITH man, instead of the other way around.
In other words, we were all taught by church TRADITION, the doctrine or teaching, about going up INTO heaven to live with God for all eternity, in HEAVEN, when we die.
There is a little truth in that teaching, and also misleading by not telling the WHOLE truth.
So before this new heaven and new earth is created and the city of God comes down to the new earth, there will be the 1000 year reign of Jesus, that is called the Millennium.
I have other in-depth studies about these individual subjects, if you are not familiar with the end time events and the ORDER of these events.
Some of you may have been taught a pre-tribulation rapture while others may have been taught a mid-tribulation rapture.
However, the Bible itself clearly teaches us that the rapture of the church will occur immediately after the time of great tribulation and right before the wrath of God.
This is called a POST tribulation rapture of the church, which is what the Bible ITSELF actually teaches us in SIMPLICITY.
This brings us to CHAPTER 8. And the conclusion of chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation.
To continue reading with CHAPTER 8 where we will see the first of the seven examples of the RAPTURE of the church found in the Book of Revelation just click on the link or go to the menu list below to click on the link to a different chapter in the Book or Revelation.
Here is the Table of Contents with links to all of the chapters in the Book of Revelation.
It is best to read them in the order that they are listed. But please feel free to skip any chapter and any verse.
Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
Once Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists understand the REASON that Yahweh CREATED the Son of MAN, Jesus, was to have DOMINION over the work of Yahweh’s hands.
And after you understand that the REASON that Yahweh did that is to STILL His ENEMIES, Satan and the fallen angels.
Then you can understand that God made His human Son to become “a” Lord, “a” King, and “a” God, under and subject to his God and Father in order to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels.
For a deeper understanding of this WAR that Lucifer and one third of the angels waged against the throne of Almighty God, please read the studies under the subject category called ** Q-0 Why Are We Here? Is God at WAR? **.
More studies are coming in this SHORTER Biblical Unitarian view of who Jesus is according to the WHOLE word of God.
If you have a PARTICULAR verse of Scripture that you would like to know the sound Biblical Unitarian meaning, then please email me at MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail.com and let me know.
For further and more in-depth studies on this subject of Jesus being created to STILL the enemies of Yahweh, please read the studies called D-25. A NEW LOOK at JOHN 1:1, In the BEGINNING!
And also read the study called D-28. The PRE-ADAMIC LUCIFERIAN FLOOD!
At the top of my homepage, there are subjects or categories which contain compiled lists of ** ALL Studies! ** I have written on that particular subject. So, if a link within a study is broken, then click on ** ALL Studies! ** to find the suggested study.
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Thanks again for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
And again, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading ** D-0 The BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of Jesus! **
And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading ** C-0 The TRUE FOUNDATION of the Church! **
This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century.
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