Revelation 7

January 29, 2023

Revelation 7 #

Revelation 7:1-4

Introduction

We ended our last study on the sixth seal. As Chapter 7 opens, it is often referred to as a parenthetical. The idea of the seals being opened is put on pause, and this chapter now introduces us to two groups of people. So we will look at these two groups of people and make some notes of them.

Last week, I tied the group that is under the altar two this group described in chapter 7. While they may both have white robes, I do think they are two distinct groups. It does become clear that both groups are from the tribulation period. They are not to be confused with the group in heaven in Chapters 4-5 which in Revelation 5:9 are praising the Lamb because he redeemed them! - That is the saved believers that have been raptured out. This group in chapter 7, we clearly see as a group of people who have been saved during the tribulation period.

There are those who will be saved during the tribulation period.

I. Sealing of the Jews #

  • Revelation is a fulfillment of many OT prophecies in which it was prophesied that many would turn to righteousness.
  • We find in Habakkuk 3:2

“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2)

A. Scene (1-2) #

1. 4 angels controlling the weather of the earth! #

  • Why does it snow on Sunday???
  • Matt 5:45 – That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • 4 corners of the earth
  • “And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” (Job 1:19)
  • Jeremiah 49:34-36

“Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.” (Daniel 7:2)

2. Another angel comes (2) having a seal #

  • This is the seal that is being used to seal the Jews.
  • This appears to be a mark, that they will receive.

B. Request (3) #

1. Hold the wind – Calm requested. #

  • Hold up on the destructive forces of the wind
  • Living in Ohio, we know all too well the damage that winds can cause: TORNADOS! On the coast: Hurricanes!

2. So we can Seal the Servants! #

  • The seal or mark is placed in their forehead.

Seals serve three purposes in the Bible:

  1. Protection from tampering

“And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” (Daniel 6:17)

  1. Ownership – sealing it marks it as yours
  2. Genuine – Your seal

The Christian is sealed in the same sense:

  1. We are protected (Eph 4:30) – “ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”
  2. We belong to Him
  3. His seal is genuine mark (Eph 1:13) “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise”

These tribulation servants too are sealed!

C. The group! (4-8) “of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” #

1. Children of Israel! #

“And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)

2. “Replacement theology” #

  • There are many who believe that the church replaces Israel.
  • They must then make this passage allegorical, because it is very clear, God us using Israel!

3. Missing Tribes #

  • Notice Levi, who is not named in the inheritances, and Joseph.

    • Levi was left out of the inheritances, and so was Joseph, instead, his two sons were named.

  • Here we have Dan being left out, and Ephraim, Levi & Joseph are included.

  • Limited to 144K

II. Salvation of the Gentiles Rev 7:9-12 #

A. Distinct group! #

1. 9 “great multitude, which no man could number” #

2. 9 “of all nations, and kindreds, and people” #

  • Clearly, these are not exclusively Jewish.

3. 9 “clothed in white robes” #

  • This is not the same white raiment mentioned in Revelation 4:4 – we will further note this
  • The crowd in Revelation 4, have crowns, these do not. The crowd in Rev 4, appeared before the tribulation.
  • These are not the church saints (referring to the church age).

B. Saved during the great tribulation (14) #

C. No more hunger (16) #

  • 1– White horse 2- Red horse (war) 3- Black horse famine (Hunger) 4- Pale horse (death & hell)

D. Led by the Lamb (17) – led, tears wiped away. #

Tags: Preaching Outlines Revelation Seals Salvation Gentiles Tribulation Jews