Revelation 7

Andrea Hutchinson

Revelation 7 NIV

Chapter 7 is an extension of ch. 6. There are two visions in this chapter, the 144,000 (vv1-8) and the multitude now in heaven (vv. 9-17): though this chapter remains an continuation of the previous. John’s first vision seems to be the same vision as in ch. 6, and the seals. The only apparent separation being the translator’s start of a new chapter. After John sees the elect and impoverished of the earth brought “to an equality that is rarely seen except in times of great devastation” He sees four angels …

144,000 Sealed

7 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.

The “four corners of the earth” is both an ancient and modern reference to the four points of a compass. The idea is that these four angels effect the entire earth with destruction. The vision suggests that four winds are agents of God (see Jer 49:36) from every direction; and may reference back to the four horsemen of Revelation 6:1-8, after the pattern of Zechariah 6:1-8. The four angels are associated with the judgements.

2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

John now sees a fifth angel coming up from the east. East is literally translated “the sun rising”. This angel has the seal of the living God in hand. God here is translated Theos the Father, the revealed God; and corresponds with Elohīm of the OT. God’s intention is to seal His people; the 144,000 servants, before the destruction.

In the ancient world, such seals were a sign of a property owner or one in authority. Documents were stamped by rolling the document and pressing a signet or cylinder into clay so as to secure the opening of the document. The sealing in ch. 7 results in the name of the Lord being stamped on the forehead of his followers (see 9:4; 14:1; cf. 22:4). Its primary purpose is to protect the people of God in the coming judgments. For some background see Eze 9:4, where the mark was the Hebrew letter Taw, made like an X or +. However, the general idea of being sealed is not limited: Jesus was sealed; God the Father has set His seal on Him. (John 6:27) We are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our total redemption. Paul wrote: God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.                         (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

The fifth angel directs the four angels, who had been given the power of destruction of all the earth (the four horseman of chapter 6?), until God’s people are sealed on their foreheads. These servants of God will receive a protective seal on their forehead, securing them as God’s people (Revelation 14:1; Ezekiel 9:4). At this point we are not told what exactly their service is, but the 144,000 are sealed for a specific and unique purpose.

Ezekiel 9:4
4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

John hears the number of those to be sealed, one hundred and forty four thousand. This number can be taken literally, which is more likely because of the details of vv. 5-8. Or as a symbolic number signifying completeness; 12 X 12 X 1000 referring to all who are to be sealed (saved).

In other translations of v.4 it says 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel. The children of Israel is a reference to the church; the new Israel (Galations 6:16). Most Bible scholars either regard the 144,000 as the church or as converted Jews, who are still identified as Israelites in some manner. Others understand it to be the nation of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
This is the specific identification of the 144,000. The 144,000 are divided among the 12 tribes of Israel. Though only God may know their tribal ancestry, there are 12,000 from each tribe.

The tribe of Judah is placed first because Christ is in the line of this tribe. (v. 5:5; Gen. 49:3-4). Reuben is next as Jacob’s first born (Genesis 49:3-4). As a side note, each study tool used mentioned that Dan and Ephraim are omitted from the list of tribes. It is thought that it is because of their idolatry during the period of Judges (see Judges 18). Joseph and his son Manasseh are included, as is Levi.

The Great Multitude in White Robes

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

In this study it is widely indicated that the great multitude is a separate vision, though it is not the start of the Seventh Seal. John saw in this vision that great multitude (also referred to as they) came from different nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. With this knowledge we can know that there will be differences among people in heaven, just as there is on earth. The great multitude stood before the throne and the Lamb wearing white robes which can be the garments of the overcoming believers or of martyrs. ** It stood out to me, at this point, that John’s visions were consistently from the reference point of the throne of God.

The palms; in this translation the people are holding them up, in other translations they are waving the palms. Palm branches were typically waved by crowds during victory celebrations. The waving of the palms refers back to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-16), where Jesus was also praised as Savior and King. At that victory celebration the people cried out Hosanna which means “save now!”.

Worship! “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” The white robes being an emblem of righteousness , they worship God for salvation. They recognize that God is the source of salvation, and no one else. As the multitude worship God so do the angels, elders and the four living creatures. Falling down, prone before the throne of God saying:“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Worship in these verses is translated proskuneō (Gk) meaning to prostrate one’s self in reverence, to do homage. Demonstrating the act of worship.

All of God’s creations from the four living creatures to the angels to us were made to worship God.
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

John tells us that one of the elders asked him who those in the white robes were and from where they came. This question has more a feeling of testing than a request for information. John appears to be surprised by the question and points out that the elder already knew. The elder then answers his own question, likely to see that John knows for sure who the multitude are.

The elder reveals that the multitude are those who have come out of the great tribulation; indicating that it has already occurred (within the vision). Tribulation was already being experienced by the church in John’s time (Rev. 2:10; Acts 14:22). However the great tribulation, predicted in Daniel 12:1 will be of an intensity “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” Matthew 24:21.

Having washed their robes … in the blood of Jesus implies martyrdom, but it is more likely referring to forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus and His shed blood (1:5; 5:9). The word washed is literally translated from the Greek as washed; as in they washed their own clothing, literally. The specifics of saying they washed their own robes alludes to their standing in regard to works, not grace, again implying martyrdom.Those saved in the great tribulation are saved just like everybody else, by the blood of the Lamb. Even if they are martyred, their martyrdom does not save them. Only the work of Jesus can cleanse and save.
15 Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16
‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’[a]
nor any scorching heat.

At the end of ch.7 the elder continues to explain who the multitude are, what they do, and how their eternal lives will be. In heaven, they enjoy the immediate presence of God. Throughout this vision the “they” or “the multitude” are all right there in throne room with God. There are no longer any barriers between them and God. Again we see John’s focus continue to be the throne and throne room of God. In His temple: All 16 references to the temple in Revelation use the word that designates the temple proper rather than the larger precincts, the outer courts which were designated for the Gentiles. Temple is the place where God’s presence dwells. Therefore all believers serve God there, for they have been made priests in God’s service (see 1:6; 5:10; 20:6), not only one tribe (Levites) go into God’s presence any longer.

In heaven, they serve God, day and night. To serve is indicative of priestly service before the Lord (1:6; 5:10). The multitude or priesthood of Christians will enter a new phase in their relationship with God. In the presence of God. The temple actually speaks of the inner sanctuary, the throne room of God (11:19). In heaven, God will shelter, or in some translations dwell with, His people. This is the ultimate fulfillment of King David’s great desire in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” This verse also reminds us of John 1:14. Believers who have not seen Christ when He lived on the earth in His first coming will go to heaven and there He will dwell among them! The wording in the NIV “Shelter them with his presence” invokes the imagery of the tabernacle in the wilderness (Lev 26:11–13). They will know the loving care and nurture of their Savior. He will protect them from every affliction “they shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat”. He will also provide for their every need. They will want for nothing.

17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’[b]
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’[c]”

This verse is reminiscent of Psalm 23.
The Lord who is the Shepherd in Ps.23:1 is equated with the Lamb. Both King David and the multitude (v.9) will “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” Ps.23:6 with Christ as their pastor. The “living” waters explain why there is no thirst (v.16). The water of life is freely available to all who come to Christ by faith (22:17).

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” promises there will be no crying, no sorrow or pain in the throne room, in the presence of the Lord. The hurt and the struggle of this earthly life are gone, and tears are a thing of the past.

Footnotes:
a Revelation 7:16 Isaiah 49:10
b Revelation 7:17 Isaiah 49:10
c Revelation 7:17 Isaiah 25:8