Bible Commentaries
Revelation 7

Verses 1-3

SECTION THREE

A SYMBOLIC INTERLUDE

SHOWING GOSPEL SUCCESS

Revelation 7:1-17

1. THE VISION DESCRIBED

Revelation 7:1-3

1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth,--"After this" means that after viewing the scenes revealed by the sixth seal he saw the two visions described in this chapter. They form an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals and show what results came to the church during the period of prosperity following the sixth seal. Angels mean messengers of some kind sent to carry out a purpose. Four standing at the four corners of the earth indicates that their work was to affect the whole earth, which in this case was limited to the inhabited part.

holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree.--The language here clearly means a destructive wind, such as causes unripe fruit to fall (6:13), or breaks and scatters things (1 Kings 19:11; Jeremiah 49:36). Such winds lash the sea into billows and break limbs and uproot trees. This is the picture John saw, but it represents something else. It indicates that . four destructive powers would be restrained for some time for a certain work to be accomplished, after which they would be released and come like a fierce wind.

2 And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God:--While John was viewing the four angels who held the winds back he saw another angel who was a messenger sent to tell the four angels what not to do. This angel ascended from the sunrising (the east) which was the direction to Palestine from Patmos where John was. As Palestine was the homeland of the Savior, the language perhaps means that it was a divine providence which held the destructive powers in check. Seals are placed upon things for the purpose of identification or showing genuineness. Figuratively the name of God would be stamped upon them; plainly expressed they would be approved of God because of their obedience to him. Here we have an instance of words used both literally and figuratively in the one expression. "Seal" is clearly in a figurative sense; "living God" is just as clearly in a literal sense.

and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,--As the four angels represent some divine agency that could control the damaging powers, it was given to them to hurt the earth and sea by permitting these powers to come. The angels, therefore, were said to be able to hurt the earth because they could restrain these powers or turn them loose.

3 saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.--The destructive powers represented by the four winds are to be restrained till the servants of God would be sealed--that is, till they would become servants of God by believing and obeying his word. Having the seal placed upon their foreheads indicated that the gospel truth would be received into the mind. If servants of God mean all in the future from the sixth seal, then the sealing will not be finished till the Lord comes; but, if the destructive powers to be turned loose after the sealing refer to the events under the seventh seal, then the sealing occurred during the time between these seals. The latter seems the probable view for two reasons

(1) It harmonizes better with the number said to be sealed.

(2) Placing the number sealed in the record between the two seals would indicate that when the destructive powers mentioned under the seventh seal had been turned loose, the sealing meant would be over. This is implied in the saved after the events of the seventh seal began, but only that the period between these seals would be one of peace for the church when great numbers would become Christians without serious opposition.

Verses 4-8

2. NUMBER SEALED FROM

THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL

Revelation 7:4-8

4 And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:--John heard the number sealed, but it is not stated who did the speaking. The word "every" is used in the sense of "all"--the 144,000 being the sum total sealed from the twelve tribes. Israel and Jew are both used spiritually to mean Christians. (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 6:16.) But here the term evidently refers to those who were to be sealed (saved) from fleshly Israel. Mention is made of the tribes and the number given and named. Besides, they are put in contrast with a great unnumbered multitude from "every nation," who must be the Gentiles. Evidently the 144,000 is a definite for an indefinite number, for it is not a reasonable supposition that there would be exactly 12,000 from each tribe, or that amount would be all that would be saved. It means that a large number of Abraham's descendants would be saved in the period of prosperity for the church that followed the sixth seal, but not all that would be saved from the Jews throughout the Christian dispensation.

5-8 Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand;--See the text above for the other tribes. Judah was not the first-born son of Jacob, but may be mentioned here first because of his being the ancestor of Christ. The tribes are not always mentioned in the same order in the Old Testament. Joseph's descendants were divided into two tribes--Ephraim and Manasseh; hence, with Levi, the priestly tribe, there were thirteen in all. Dan is omitted from this list, supposedly because the tribe became idolatrous. Joseph is given in place of Ephraim. But since there is no regularity in the order in which the tribes are mentioned, it was only necessary to mention twelve, the original number of Jacob's sons, to indicate the whole nation of Israel.

Verses 9-10

3. A GREAT MULTITUDE SEALED

Revelation 7:9-10

9 After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues,--All these scenes appeared before John as he looked into heaven. They are "moving pictures" that represent something else. "After these things" means that after hearing the number sealed from the Israelites he saw this great multitude. Since they were out of every nation and all peoples, they must have been those sealed from the Gentile nations.

standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands; --The scenes are still in heaven. The visions were opened in chapters 4 and 5 with God seated upon the throne and Christ as Lamb standing beside him. The setting for the visions have remained in heaven. John saw the multitude of the saved standing there. That indicates that their obedience was acceptable to God. The white robes represent their righteousness. (19:8.) The palms were an emblem of victory. This symbolic picture shows that those saved during the period here in view will be accepted at the judgment. Of course, the same will be true of those saved in all other ages or periods.

10 and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb.--John heard those he saw before God and Christ ascribing praise by attributing their salvation to God. That is what the redeemed will do when heaven is reached.

Verses 11-12

4. ANGELS JOIN IN PRAISE

Revelation 7:11-12

11 And all the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; --In: verse 11 we learn that there were many angels round about the throne. As the place of the visions has not been changed, doubtless they are the angels referred to in this paragraph. The elders and living creatures are also mentioned in both texts.

and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 saying,--Jesus said, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:10.) In the words of this paragraph we have, in a symbolic picture, a demonstration of their rejoicing with the saved, which indicates the final joy when all the redeemed shall get home.

Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.--The "Amen" affirms that the things to be said are most certainly true. Being repeated at the end of the sentence adds emphasis to the assertion. God has glory, wisdom, power, and might and deserves to be thanked for his wonderful blessings; in short, all things good can be ascribed to God as their source, both by angels and men.

Verses 13-17

5. THE MEANS OF SALVATION EXPLAINED

Revelation 7:13-17

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?--The text says one of the elders "answered," which probably means that he was explaining an inquiry that was in John's mind, but not expressed. The elder did not ask the question to be answered by John, but to give the occasion for explaining why the white-robed multitude were in God's presence. Telling how they happened to be before God in the symbolic picture would show how they would finally be in his presence in heaven. That would settle the questions, Who will be saved? and how will they be saved?

14 And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.--John recognized the fact that the elder did not ask the question to be answered, and so he said "thou knowest." Two things are expressed as the reasons why they were in God's presence--faithfulness in tribulation and having their robes washed in Christ's blood. The logical order is here reversed; being washed in the blood of the Lamb comes first and then meeting tribulation in following him. "Washing" is clearly used figuratively, for washing in the blood of Christ does not occur, if it means his literal blood and literal washing. This is only a figurative expression that means one's sins are forgiven through Christ's blood. The word "washing" is used figuratively and the word "blood" is used literally. Another proof that symbolic expressions or sentences may contain words used in both meanings. "Great tribulation" shows that only those will be saved who are faithful "unto death" (2:10) in spite of all difficulties and persecutions. Paul expressed the same thought in Acts 14:22.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.--For the two reasons given in the preceding verse they are before the throne in the vision John was viewing. That, however, was a guarantee of God's approval, and the assurance that they would serve him day and night (continually) in his temple. Since the Jews served God in the temple, and Christians serve him in the church (called the temple of God, 1 Corinthians 3:16), it is perfectly appropriate that the saved in heaven finally should be said to serve him continuously in his temple. God's spreading his tabernacle over them implies that he would approve of their service by dwelling among them. Their appearance in the symbolic picture was proof that they would dwell in that eternal temple.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:--This pictures the final blessings for the faithful, and is the same as expressed in Revelation 21:3-5. The troubles, pain, worry, and burdens incident to living in the flesh here will all be gone when the redeemed dwell with God.

17 for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. --The Lamb that stood before the throne in the vision, and was able to break the seals and reveal the future, would, like a shepherd guides his sheep, bring them to fountains of joy. Omitting the figurative language, it means that through his redemptive work they would enjoy all the blessings of heaven. God's wiping away every tear means that he will enable us to forget all the sadness that wrings our hearts in this sin-troubled world. What a joyous anticipation!

No one who properly appreciates the blessings of sins forgiven, to say nothing about the inexpressible happiness that awaits in heaven, will fail in trying to meet the obligations which the Christian life imposes. The terms upon which pardon is secured are too plain and easy to obey to allow any excuse for disobedience. Tribulations, naturally, are not pleasant experiences, but the reward of eternal life is too important to be lost. Great favors do not come without cost. Christians should be the last to complain or try to justify neglect.

Additional Note: The purpose of the visions in this chapter must have been for the encouragement of the seven churches to whom the letters were sent. The hope of such glorious rewards would stimulate them in the struggles against persecutions, suffering, and death that had been pictured in the seals. In the same way such promises should encourage all saints to meet faithfully any trials they are called to face. So used, the lessons in Revelation are of great value to Christians in all ages.

LESSON 13.

THE VISION OF THE REDEEMED COMPANIES

Read Revelation 7

1. Between the opening of what two seals does the vision of this chapter appear? Ans. Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:1.

2. How many redeemed companies did John see? Ans. Revelation 7:4; Revelation 7:9.

3, Tell of the four angels that John saw. Ans. Revelation 7:1.

4. From where did another angel ascend? Ans. Revelation 7:2.

5. What did this angel say to the four angels? Ans. Revelation 7:2-3.

6. Where were the servants of God to be sealed? Ans. Revelation 7:3.

7. What was the total number that were sealed? Ans. Revelation 7:4.

8. Name the tribes of Israel and tell how many were sealed from each tribe. Ans. Revelation 7:5-8.

9. From whom did these tribes derive their names? Ans. Exodus 1:1-5.

10. How many were in the second company that John saw? Ans. Revelation 7: 9.

11. From what nations and tribes had this company come? Ans. Revelation 7: 9.

12. Describe them. Ans. Revelation 7:9.

13. What was their song? Ans. Revelation 7:10.

14. Then what did all the angels do? Ans. Revelation 7:11-12.

15. What question did one of the elders ask John and what was John's reply? Ans. Revelation 7:13-14.

16. Who did the elder say they were? Ans. Revelation 7:14.

17. Describe the great white-robed multitude:

• State the position they occupy, Ans. Revelation 7:15-17.

• State the work they do, Ans. Revelation 7:15-17.

• Describe how and from what they were protected. Ans. Revelation 7:15-17.

• Tell how they were shepherded and guided. Ans. Revelation 7:15-17.

FOR CLASS DISCUSSION

I. Discuss the eternal rewards of the redeemed.