| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation Chapter 7 By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
While the earth is reeling under the terrible events represented by the four horsemen, G-d
will have another unfolding plan. While the world is shuddering under the weight of
judgement, G-d will continue to show His mercy. He will select 144,000 Jews whom He
will supernaturally protect. And He will also receive into heaven thousands upon
thousands who turn to Christ and are martyred for their faith.
Verse 1
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the
four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on
any tree.
After beholding the turmoil of the seal judgements the onlooker will naturally wonder if any
shall be saved amid this flood of catastrophes. G-d now answers that question for us in
two visions. The first shows that Jews will be turning to Christ at this time; the second
shows that multitudes out of every nation will also come to Christ. These two visions are
the fulfillment of the rainbow round about the throne in Revelation 4:3.
Verse 2-3 ( 3 Promises of G-d)
Then 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 granted to harm the earth
and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed
the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
All believers in Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit when they believe (Eph. 1:13, 4:30)
G-d's mark of sacred ownership is placed upon the believer, and this seal is the presence
of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. Here a visible mark to the spirit world is placed
upon the forehead. Verse 3 shows the command given to the four angels who will sound
the Trumpet judgements to refrain from action until certain ones have been sealed. The
seal is the exact opposite of the mark of the beast. These marks place the people in two
distinct categories - those owned by g-d and those owned by Satan.
Verse 4-8
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand
of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
The number 144,000 is 12 x 12 x 1,000 symbolizing completeness - all G-d's followers will
be brought safely to Him. G-d seals these believers. Even though many believers have to
undergo persecution, the seal does not necessarily guarantee protection from physical
harm - many will die. G-d will protect them from spiritual harm. These believers will not
fall away from G-d even though they may undergo intense persecution. This list is
different from the twelve tribes listed in the Old Testament. 1.) Judah is mentioned first
because it is both the tribe of David and Jesus the Messiah. 2.) Levi had no tribal
allotment because the Levites work for G-d in the temple, but here the tribe is given a
place of reward for faithfulness. 3.) Dan is not mentioned because it was known for
rebellion and idolatry, traits unacceptable for G-d's followers. 4.) The two tribes
representing Joseph (usually called Ephraim and Manasseh) are Joseph and Manasseh
because of Ephraim's rebellion.
Verse 9-10 The second vision begins.
The sacred account now reveals that G-d will also save a mass out of the gentiles. It was
so large that John despairs of even trying to assign a number to it. The white robes show
they have been washed from their sins thus these are people who have turned to Christ
for salvation.
Verse 11-12
Here we have a wonderful portrait of true worship which certainly includes adoration to G-
d, thanksgiving and prayer. Each of us should meditate from time to time on the praises
and attributes here assigned to G-d.
Verse 13-14
The elder seeks to instruct John on the origin of this second saved multitude as coming
out of the great tribulation. Thus here we are taught that an immense number from all
tribes and nations will be saved during the Great Tribulation.
Verse 15-17 G-d's promises
It is plain that with the time contemplated in this vision this second saved multitude is safe
with Christ. All those who accept Christ during this period end up with Christ in eternal
safety and bliss. Verse 17 speaks of those blessings promised as part of the life of the
redeemed; living fountains and no more tears.
Revelation 7 seems to indicate that more people will be saved during this terrible time than
any other brief period of history. From the standpoint of eternity, the tribulation will be a
wonderful time.
3 Groups of believers saved during the Tribulation Period.
First - The Martyred remnant which is saved during the first half of the Tribulation.
Revelation 6:9-11
Second - The 144,000 Jews who are saved during the first half of the Tribulation. G-d
gives them His seal for protection. Revelation 7:2-8. And with this protection they are
preserved from G-d's judgements.
Third - The Gentiles in Revelation 7:9-14. These are saved probably chiefly in the last
half of the Tribulation.
Both the entire first and many if not all out of the third group suffer martyrdom.
will have another unfolding plan. While the world is shuddering under the weight of
judgement, G-d will continue to show His mercy. He will select 144,000 Jews whom He
will supernaturally protect. And He will also receive into heaven thousands upon
thousands who turn to Christ and are martyred for their faith.
Verse 1
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the
four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on
any tree.
After beholding the turmoil of the seal judgements the onlooker will naturally wonder if any
shall be saved amid this flood of catastrophes. G-d now answers that question for us in
two visions. The first shows that Jews will be turning to Christ at this time; the second
shows that multitudes out of every nation will also come to Christ. These two visions are
the fulfillment of the rainbow round about the throne in Revelation 4:3.
Verse 2-3 ( 3 Promises of G-d)
Then 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 granted to harm the earth
and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed
the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
All believers in Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit when they believe (Eph. 1:13, 4:30)
G-d's mark of sacred ownership is placed upon the believer, and this seal is the presence
of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. Here a visible mark to the spirit world is placed
upon the forehead. Verse 3 shows the command given to the four angels who will sound
the Trumpet judgements to refrain from action until certain ones have been sealed. The
seal is the exact opposite of the mark of the beast. These marks place the people in two
distinct categories - those owned by g-d and those owned by Satan.
Verse 4-8
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand
of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
The number 144,000 is 12 x 12 x 1,000 symbolizing completeness - all G-d's followers will
be brought safely to Him. G-d seals these believers. Even though many believers have to
undergo persecution, the seal does not necessarily guarantee protection from physical
harm - many will die. G-d will protect them from spiritual harm. These believers will not
fall away from G-d even though they may undergo intense persecution. This list is
different from the twelve tribes listed in the Old Testament. 1.) Judah is mentioned first
because it is both the tribe of David and Jesus the Messiah. 2.) Levi had no tribal
allotment because the Levites work for G-d in the temple, but here the tribe is given a
place of reward for faithfulness. 3.) Dan is not mentioned because it was known for
rebellion and idolatry, traits unacceptable for G-d's followers. 4.) The two tribes
representing Joseph (usually called Ephraim and Manasseh) are Joseph and Manasseh
because of Ephraim's rebellion.
Verse 9-10 The second vision begins.
The sacred account now reveals that G-d will also save a mass out of the gentiles. It was
so large that John despairs of even trying to assign a number to it. The white robes show
they have been washed from their sins thus these are people who have turned to Christ
for salvation.
Verse 11-12
Here we have a wonderful portrait of true worship which certainly includes adoration to G-
d, thanksgiving and prayer. Each of us should meditate from time to time on the praises
and attributes here assigned to G-d.
Verse 13-14
The elder seeks to instruct John on the origin of this second saved multitude as coming
out of the great tribulation. Thus here we are taught that an immense number from all
tribes and nations will be saved during the Great Tribulation.
Verse 15-17 G-d's promises
It is plain that with the time contemplated in this vision this second saved multitude is safe
with Christ. All those who accept Christ during this period end up with Christ in eternal
safety and bliss. Verse 17 speaks of those blessings promised as part of the life of the
redeemed; living fountains and no more tears.
Revelation 7 seems to indicate that more people will be saved during this terrible time than
any other brief period of history. From the standpoint of eternity, the tribulation will be a
wonderful time.
3 Groups of believers saved during the Tribulation Period.
First - The Martyred remnant which is saved during the first half of the Tribulation.
Revelation 6:9-11
Second - The 144,000 Jews who are saved during the first half of the Tribulation. G-d
gives them His seal for protection. Revelation 7:2-8. And with this protection they are
preserved from G-d's judgements.
Third - The Gentiles in Revelation 7:9-14. These are saved probably chiefly in the last
half of the Tribulation.
Both the entire first and many if not all out of the third group suffer martyrdom.
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