Lesson Two

a) Review

- Chapter 7 comes as a parenthesis between the sixth and seventh seals—a stylistic feature repeated in the trumpet judgments sequence (Rev 10:1–11:13), but not with the bowls judgments sequence (Rev 16:12-21).

- It answers the question in Rev 6:17, “Who can stand?”

b) Two visions:

- The chapter consists of two visions—one, the sealing of the 144,000, and the other, the blessedness of the great multitude before the heavenly throne.

- A great deal has been written about the identity of the 144,000 as well as the relationship between the two visions.

- Prior to the trumpet judgments, the last generation of believers is sealed so as to be saved from the destruction coming upon the earth and to be brought safely into the heavenly kingdom. The second vision is anticipatory of the eternal blessedness of all believers when in the presence of God they realize the rewards of faithful endurance.

- These two visions contrast security and blessedness that await the faithful with the panic of a pagan world fleeing judgment.

- Mark of God upon the believers (Read Ezekiel 9) - primary purpose is for protection (2 Tim 2:19)

c) The 144,000 (v. 1-8)

- Some say that the 144,000 are the full number of faithful believers alive when that event takes place. Those sealed in verses 1–8 are then part of the multitude in verses 9–17, so that they constitute all believers of every age.

- The number is obviously symbolic. It is a symbolic way of stressing that the church is the eschatological people of God who have taken up Israel’s inheritance.

d) The Bliss of the Redeemed in Heaven (v. 9-17)

- Contrasting points to first vision: great multitude that no one can number; rather than being sealed, they come out of the great tribulation; No longer on earth, but now they crowd the thrown of heaven;

- The new vision anticipates a glorious day, yet future, when those who have passed through the final persecution will enter the blessedness of the eternal state.

- They cry out in a loud voice declaring that it is to God and to the Lamb that they owe their salvation.

- The heavenly entourage (angels, elders, and living creatures) fall before the throne and worship God. “Who are these dressed in white robes and from where did they come?” asks one of the elders. Answering his own question he identifies the innumerable multitude as those who have come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

- The entire scene is not unlike the Transfiguration in which Jesus revealed his coming glory to disciples who had only recently learned of the suffering that lay ahead for the Son of man (Mark 8:32; 9:2–8).

- One of the elders, anticipating the question that John is about to ask, inquires rhetorically, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” Prompted by the Seer, he answers that they are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The use of the definite article in the phrase “the great tribulation” indicates that the angel is referring primarily to that final series of woes which will immediately precede the end. It is the hour of trial that is to come upon the whole world (Rev 3:10).

- Persecution has always been the lot of those who follow the Lamb (John 16:33; 2 Tim 3:12). The intensity of the final conflict between righteousness and evil will rise to such a pitch as to become the great tribulation.