Revelation Lesson 8
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The Book of Revelation
Lesson 8, Chapter 7
By Cindy Ketron
On The Edge of Eternity
We ended the last lesson with the 6th seal being broken, the first of 3 earthquakes, blackened sun, blood moon, asteroids falling, heaven rolled up as a scroll, and great men and not so great men (and women) of the earth hiding in caves. Good grief! I’m ready for a mental/emotional break and that is exactly what we get here in Rev. 7. Before the 7th seal is broken, we take an interlude. The 7th seal will not be broken until we get to Rev. 8. This interlude gives us a chance to catch our breath before we get further into the specifics of the tribulation period.
Chapter 6 is a general overview of the tribulation. Because it is an overview, it can seem confusing if someone is taking all of the book to be in chronological order. Scripture frequently does this. It covers a certain topic and then goes back to expound on what was written in an earlier verse or chapter. Rev. 7 appears to be in chronological order. Chapter 7 allows us to see that God has plans for His people. Throughout the New Testament, we see God’s plan for the Church. The Church began with the Jews and then the Gentiles were “grafted in”. When we get to chapter 4, the Church is already in heaven with Jesus. Now that this is the case, God begins to deal specifically with the Jews. That does not mean that Gentiles (anyone other than a Jew) cannot be saved during the tribulation. But what we see as the focus in the rest of the book is that God is going to make good on His covenant promises to the Jews. This week, we’re going to look at 144,000 Jewish men/witnesses who are sealed and protected. This is a godly remnant of Israel who will still on the earth during the tribulation. We’ll see references to the 144,000 later on in this book as well.
Rev. 7 also answers the question, “Will there be people saved during the tribulation?”. There will be a whole multitude saved! Those who will be saved during this time are never referred to as the Church. The Church is in heaven at this point and when the Church moves from earth to heaven, there will be no one else added to that particular category of saved individuals. Those who are saved during the tribulation are referred to as saints from the great tribulation. There are Bible commentators who seem to be convinced that these “saints” were the saints of all time, from the Old Testament to the New. This cannot be the case since we are specifically told where these saints came from.
The chapter begins with the Greek transitional word, meta tauta (after these things). If you recall, chapter 4 began this way as well. This transition lets us know that we are moving into another time element of John’s vision. I want to make a comment about all of the time elements that are mentioned in Revelation and Daniel. For those who would say that the entire book of Revelation is symbolic and that most of the book of Daniel is symbolic, I want to call your attention to the usage in the book of Daniel regarding measurements of specific time elements: time, times and half a time, 1260 days, and 3 ½ years. I do not believe that God would be so specific to mention these allotments of time in multiple ways if He did not intend for us to take these numbers literally. (Note - In Hebrew, the word "times" means 2.) Therefore, each one of these time elements is exactly the same. That said, the last 3 ½ years referred to in Revelation as The Great Tribulation will be far different from the first 3 ½ years. Those last 3 ½ years will see the wrath of God rained down in terror like the world has never known. We should also note here that the ancient Jewish calendar did not consistently have 365 days per year. Their year was based on the lunar cycle.
Read Rev. 7:1-3. What does it mean in Rev. 7:1 that there were 4 angels who held back the winds of the earth?
Any reference in Scripture to the 4 winds or the 4 corners of the earth is a reference that indicates the entire earth is involved: north, south, east, and west. I don’t understand much at all about hydrological (water) patterns in nature, but from what I’ve learned, the wind blows from west to east and brings with it water vapors from the oceans. Stationary patterns in the jet stream are called, blocking events, and can cause considerable damage. If there is no wind, there is no rain because the winds would not be blowing in any water vapor. As soon as the winds are released in Rev. 8, then the trumpet judgments will begin. But for this interlude, the judgments of God cease. We’ll address this next week. Also, before the 7th seal is opened, the 7th trumpet is sounded, and the 7th bowl of wrath is poured out, there will be an interlude.
2. Read Ezek. 37:9, Dan. 7:2, and Zech. 2:6. Are the 4 winds being held back or sent forth?
Rev. 7:1 is the only place in Scripture where the 4 winds are being held back for a period of time. We don’t know how long that period of time is.
3. According to Rev. 7:1-2, how many angels are involved in this entire scene?
4. What did this extra angel tell the other 4 and why?
These seals were divine seals. There were bond servants who had to be sealed on their foreheads. A bond servant in Scripture was an individual who voluntarily chose to be indebted to another. Often, this happened when a person had a debt they could not pay and sold themselves for a period of time to the person they owed the debt. Because of this 1st century understanding of a bond servant, we can assume that those who were to be sealed, were sold out to and bound to God. Later on in this book, we’re going to be looking at another type of “seal” that the Antichrist insists on everyone getting. That particular seal is referred to as “the mark of the beast”. Here again, we see Satan replicating in a sense something that God has done.
5. The concept of being sealed is in both the Old and the New Testaments. Read the following verses and record what you learn about being sealed:
Eph. 1:13
2 Cor. 1:21-22
Eph. 4:30
Let’s put together what we learn from these verses about the concept of sealing:
God is the source of our sealing. In Rev. 7, He dispatches His angel to do the sealing.
God’s seal is proof of His ownership, His protection, His security, and His preservation.
6. Read Ex. 12:21-23. What did God use to seal the children of Israel from the plague of the death angel?
Blood is the way that God always ratifies His own. In Exodus, it was the blood of a lamb on the doorpost that marked those inside as safe from harm. As the death angel flew over the houses, he could visibly see the blood on the doorpost. It was an outward sign.
7. What is our seal?
The short answer to that question is that we are sealed by the blood of THE Lamb. It is an inward seal that God can see. As believers, we are instructed to be baptized as an outward sign that we have been buried with Christ and we are raised in the newness of life. But, as I read and study Rev. 7:3, I am wondering if there will be some kind of inward mark on the forehead to represent the sealing, for just as in the case in the exodus from Egypt, an angel is working on behalf of God and they do not have the same supernatural power that God possesses to see inside a man’s soul. At the end of Rev. 7:3, we are left to believe that those who are to be sealed will be exempt from harm, at least for a while, because they have a divine purpose.
We’ve seen a few different kinds of seals in the past 2 weeks, first with the seal judgments and now with 144,000 being sealed not just to protect their physical lives, but so they can be living testimonies to the grace of God. Doesn’t it give you great comfort in knowing that you are already sealed by the blood of the Lamb? Whether the seal is outward or inward, I’m eternally grateful to be sealed by the Spirit of the living God.
8. Read Rev. 7:4-8. Does this sound as if God is done with the Jewish people?
For all of those who think that God is finished with the Jewish people and that the Church has replaced Israel, these verses should clear that up. The book of Revelation is a very Jewish book. The 144,000 Jewish men who are sealed in this chapter are divided up into tribes. Also, for those who think the “tribes” of Israel are unknown, they are always known to God. In my study, I have seen many who have posed the question, “will more than just this 144,000 Jewish people be saved?” Of course there will be. As we get on into this book, we’ll see that God saves a remnant and keeps them in a secured location until the end of the tribulation period. We must also assume that when earthquakes and war and pestilence come upon the earth, that even some of the righteous are killed. That would also include Jewish believers. It is only these 144,000 who will be “sealed” so that they can safely carry out the function for which they were sealed. This group of 144,000 are different from those Jews who will later seek refuge while still on the earth. If you are exiled to a place for a period of time, then you cannot be witnesses/missionaries for the gospel. Therefore, there must be more than just 144,000 Jews who are saved at this time. We are going to see this particular group of 144,000 again when we get to chapter 14.
9. In the chart below, list the tribes in the order in which they will be sealed. We’ll see these guys again when we get to chapters 9 and 14. Then, look up the other chapters and list the tribes in the order in which they appear in those chapters.
You may be wondering how I know that these are men. That is for another lesson. For now, what we need to understand is that these men have been sealed and will be protected for special service to God.
Revelation 7
Genesis 29-30
Numbers 1
1. Tribe of
2. Tribe of
3. Tribe of
4. Tribe of
5. Tribe of
6. Tribe of
7. Tribe of
8. Tribe of
9. Tribe of
10. Tribe of
11. Tribe of
12. Tribe of
The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are not listed in the Revelation text. Isn’t this interesting? The tribe of Levi is not in the Numbers 1 list because they were unable to own land due to being the priestly tribe. When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, the tribe of Levi was given cities in each tribal area so that their influence and teaching could be spread out amongst all the tribes. Joseph had 2 sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. These 2 sons were allotted as ½ tribes, thus making 1 whole tribe. We are not told why Joseph and Manasseh were sealed, but no mention of Ephriam was made. Some Bible commentators said that the tribe of Ephraim was assumed to be within the tribe of Joseph.
2 of the lists in the chart above came from the Old Testament and 1 from the New Testament. There are actually 19 lists of the tribes in Scripture. Aren’t you glad we’re not doing a comparison of all of them??!! This can get really confusing, so I think it helps if we can simplify this as much as possible. Near the bottom of the Genesis list, you will see Joseph’s name. Beside his name, write in an “E” for Ephraim and “M” for Mannasseh. Joseph’s 2 sons, Ephraim and Mannasseh take Joseph’s place. When Joseph’s father, Jacob, passed away, he left Joseph a double portion of inheritance. Scripture tells us that Jacob adopted Joseph’s 2 sons in order to give them each a blessing. That is why his 2 sons are in this list. That is also why his 2 sons can be substituted in other lists for his name.
Get a box of crayons and color each tribe a different color. That way, you can look at the 3 lists and easily pick out each tribe and see the order in which they are listed. Okay, I think we’ve established that all of the original tribes from Genesis are in Revelation 7 if we assume that the tribe of Ephraim is encased within the tribe of Joseph. That is, all the tribes but 1, the tribe of Dan. That is a major problem here because in Gen. 49:16, Scripture says that “Dan shall judge people”. This is a double reference to the time after the settlement in the land of Israel when the judges came from the tribe of Dan and also to a future period of time when this tribe will judge in the millennial kingdom. Sampson was the most famous judge from the tribe of Dan. The question that arises now is, how can those from the tribe of Dan judge the people if he’s not even listed amongst the 12 tribes who are sealed. What’s the deal with Dan? Truth is, we are not definitively told why. However, we can look at what we do know about this tribe and put it together to perhaps get an idea of why they are absent from the Rev. 7 list.
10. Read Joshua 19:40-48. What do you learn about where the tribe of Dan settled?
11. Read Judges 18:1-31. Does this sound like the same plot of land you just read about in Joshua 19?
When the Promised Land was divided up, the entire tribe of Dan was the 7th tribe who got to choose their land location. Their original territory was west of Jerusalem and extended all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It was just north of Judah. You can see it on the map above.
12. Read Judges 1:34-35. Did the tribe of Dan ever occupy their original land?
Looks like there were bullies in the land….big ones! All of the peoples you see in the Old Testament with the “ite” at the end of their name were generally thought to be descendants of the Nephilim and were very large and frightening people. Although the Philistines were not “ite” people, they were believed to be descendants of the Nephilim. Did it really matter that giants were in the land that God allotted to the tribe of Dan? It only mattered if they believed those giants were bigger than their God. Apparently, that is exactly what they chose to believe. They greatly minimized God in their own eyes. The tribe of Dan became frightened and they never fought to take all the land that was allotted to them as God had instructed them to do. This represented a complete lack of faith on behalf of this tribe. Really makes me wonder what God has given to me in my own life that I’ve been too frightened and faithless to seize. As I’ve grown older, I’ve prayed for courage and trust in God regardless of the circumstances that might be staring me in the eyes. Hopefully moving forward, I’ll be able to follow through with the promptings of God.
The tribe of Dan ended up moving way up north to a smaller territory because they felt like occupiers in their own land and they felt this way because they were scared and they disobeyed God. This put them as far away from the tabernacle as they could possibly have been. Strike #1!
This map shows where the original land given to Dan was located, just south of Ephraim. Can you believe how far north they moved just to get away from those stinking giants?!!!! They traded the land that God meant for them to have for a smaller plot of land that did not border on any water source. In other words, they downgraded big time!
I want you to take an inventory of yourself right now. When have you settled for less than God’s best for you? How’d that work out? One thing I tell all young people when they start dating and especially when they want to get serious and settle down is “NEVER SETTLE! If God wants you to marry, then He will provide a mate for you who is also sold out to Him. If you settle, you will never be satisfied.”
You can chronicle the tribe of Dan throughout the Old Testament and find that they were constant whiners who were never satisfied with God’s provision for them because they settled for less. Friends, there will never be a need for you to settle if you listen to God.
In Judges 17-21, we read about the apostasy of the tribes of Dan and Ephraim. In fact, it was the tribe of Dan who initially embraced idols and brought them into the Promised Land. The story is an interesting one if you want to read it. But when the tribe of Dan was moving to their new location, they passed through the territory of the tribe of Ephraim and when they did, they stole 2 things: 1) Numerous idols, and 2) A Levite. Yes, they stole a priest from the Levitical tribe to serve in a false temple! Strike #2! Strike #3!
13. Does this mean the tribe of Dan is out forever? Go back and list what is prophesied about Dan in Gen. 49:16-17.
In regard to Gen. 49:17, there are many Bible scholars who believe that the Antichrist will be a Jew and will be from the tribe of Dan. That is a possibility.
But how can we reconcile the fact that this tribe will not be a part of those who are sealed in Rev. 7? Let’s look at Ezek. 48:1. This is a reference to the allotment of land in the millennium. The millennium will be the time following the 2nd coming of Jesus when He will rule and reign on the earth for 1,000 years. We will address this in greater detail when we get towards the end of this book.
14. According to Ezek. 48:1, does the tribe of Dan occupy any land during the millennial reign of Christ?
Let me tell you something, God ALWAYS makes good on His promises! It may be that God chose not to include the tribe of Dan in the sealing of the 144,000 Jews, but that does not mean that there were no individuals from that tribe who were not saved during the tribulation. Sometimes God gives us a glimpse of how He’s working and sometimes He doesn’t. He is not obligated to show us and tell us what He’s doing. Often His delays are tests of our character and obedience to Him. The tribe of Dan might have started out doing evil, but they end up with prime property in the millennium. What an encouragement this is to us today. It matters how we end.
Now that the 144,000 Jewish men have been sealed by God, the angels holding back the 4 winds can let go….but not just yet!
15. As soon as the 144,000 were sealed, we’re back in the heavenly throne room and there’s some additional company that suddenly shows up. Who are they?
16. Go back to Rev. 6:9-11. Who was given white robes and told to wait a little longer?
17. Read Rev. 7:9-10. What does the phrase “after these things” mean? After what things?
Here in Rev. 7:9, the Greek word meta tauta is used once again to indicate that there is a transition from one thing to another thing.
18. What were these people wearing in 7:9, and what was in their hands?
The last time we saw a scene similar to this one was at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem prior to His death. All 4 gospels record this event. Let’s look at one of them.
19. Read John 12:12-16. What were the people shouting as they welcomed Jesus into the city?
20. Go back to the Old Testament and read Zech. 9:9. Many years earlier, the prophet Zechariah made a prophecy about the day Jesus came into the city. What was it?
Palm branches were often used at that time as a symbol of celebration and victory. The people were shouting “Hosanna!” which means “save us we pray”. Therefore, as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, people were honoring Him as a King and a Savior and shouting for Him to save them. A few days later, many of those same people were screaming, “Crucify Him!!!”. Oh how fickle humanity is.
21. Zech. 9:10 contains some fascinating prophecies. List all the things prophesied in this verse.
Ephraim as it is mentioned here is a reference to the northern kingdom of Israel. Jerusalem as it is mentioned here is a reference to the southern kingdom of Judah. What this verse means is that there will be a removal of military power and human strength from the entire country. “And His dominion will be from sea to sea, and form the River (Euphrates) to the ends of the earth.” Today, we hear the chants of the antisemites of the world screaming, “From the River to the Sea!”. They have both the river and the sea confused. Here, we see that the reign of Jesus when He sits on the throne of David will be from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea and to the ends of the earth. I think the antisemites are all mixed up!
22. How is what this multitude in heaven is saying similar to what the people were yelling in John 12? How is it different?
You will find that in Scripture, phrases like “the fullness of time” and “until their number would be completed” is used to describe that not until the last thing or the last person was in place would God close out that particular situation and move on. There are many who would say that the rapture of the Church could not happen until the entire world is reached with the gospel. I used to hear this all the time growing up, “The rapture cannot happen until the entire world (all the people groups) hear the gospel, so we need to send every missionary we can to the ends of the earth.” I’m not sure if those saying this thought they were changing God’s timeline by sending out missionaries.
23. What does Matt. 24:14 say about the spread of the gospel in the last days?
In every single verse about the rapture of the Church, it was spoken of in present terms with an expectation of even those believers in the 1st century being taken up to meet the Lord in the air. The early Church lived with this hope. There is nothing that has to happen in order for the rapture to occur. Matt. 24:14 is speaking of the 2nd coming of Christ, not the rapture of the Church. And we will discover as we go further into Revelation, there will be a time when an angel from heaven will share the gospel with the entire world (Rev. 14:6-7).
Those souls under the altar in chapter 6 knew they’d be getting some company. Apparently, they got a lot of it!
24. What do you learn about this group in Rev. 7:11-14?
In one moment, all those who died during the Great Tribulation appear in the throne room of heaven. Their number was completed. They were all tribulation martyrs and they came from every tongue, tribe, and nation. This is not talking about the 144,000 we just read about who were Jewish men and were sealed. That is a different group.
25. These people are Gentiles. This great multitude is a righteous group of people. How do we know that? (Rev. 7:14)
Throughout Church history, the Church has always flourished during times of persecution. By the time we get to Rev. 7, the Church is already in heaven with Jesus. This other righteous group found Him during their time of great persecution upon the earth and now in Rev. 7:9, they have joined the others in heaven.
26. What does Ephesians 2:8-10 say about our salvation?
27. Who was around the throne in Rev. 7:11?
28. Were they sitting or standing or kneeling?
There will be a time when we will all fall on our faces before God. In Phil. 2:10-11, we see a time yet in the future when every single person who has ever lived will bow the knee to God. Even Ron Regan Jr. who said he wasn’t scared of burning in hell will bow his knee and his fear will be made real. I would not wish this on anyone.
Isn’t it strange that in Rev. 7:14, we are told that this multitude washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and they came out white? Putting anything in blood doesn’t turn it white, it turns it red and then when the blood dries, it turns black. God’s economy and way of doing things is different from ours. In Scripture, it always, always, always took blood to cover sins. The blood of goats, bulls, and lambs was only a temporary covering for the sin of people. The permanent covering would not be realized until the death of Christ on the cross.
29. How is Jesus identified in John 1:29 and makes this declaration?
Sin leaves a stain on our lives and on our hearts. It is only the blood of a perfect sacrifice that can undo what has been done.
30. What does Is. 1:18 tell you about your sins?
31. In Rev. 1:5, what did Jesus do for us in relation to His blood?
Friends, our salvation doesn’t have a thing to do with us or anything we’ve done. You see, God the Father treated Jesus like He was us when Jesus hung on the cross. He did this so that He could treat us like Jesus. That is the most incredible concept of substitution in the universe. That is why all these people got to stand before the throne of God arrayed in white raiment. And that is why the blood of our Lamb makes us clean and white and pure in the sight of God.
32. In Rev. 7:11, the same group that had previously been before the throne was still there. Who were they?
33. Read 1 Pet 1:9-12. The Apostle Peter is explaining to the churches he wrote to about the wonders of salvation. What do these verses say angels think about the concept of salvation?
Angels are amazed at the whole redemptive process. In Rev. 5, they are praising God for the redemption of humanity. They were there from the beginning. They witnessed God making mankind out of dirt. Then, they witnessed that dirt turning against God and God making a way for them to be reconciliation to Him. Angels don’t have the option of redemption. Redemption is amazing to them! Your redemption should overwhelm you!
34. Read Rom. 8:29-30. At the end of these verses, we are told that those who belong to God will be glorified. We often preach about bringing glory to God, but these verses say that God glorifies us! What in the world do you think that means?
To glorify someone means to give an accurate estimate of who that person is. In Greek, it is the idea of speaking well of someone. When we glorify God, we tell Him what He is to us and to this world. We speak of His majesty and His power and that He alone is worthy of honor and glory. Our glorifying God doesn’t add to His nature. It simply shows our love and admiration for Him. God glorifies us because we are made in the likeness of His Son. Let that sink in for a hot minute! Because of the whole redemptive process, the Great Creator speaks well of us as believers.
I am absolutely convinced that we are in the last moments of the last days. God has redeemed you for a reason. Look for opportunities to glorify Him, to speak well of Him, to live your life in a way that reflects and gives an accurate estimate of who He is in you!
Have you ever known of an individual who perpetrated so much evil upon this earth and upon others and who has seemingly never suffered for any of their wrong doing? I sure have. I’ve often questioned God about why He doesn’t act in my time frame and let this evil person or that evil person just drive off a cliff! And oh yes, I want to watch them drive off that cliff! God has His reasons for waiting. These saints in Rev. 7 were tormented in ways we could never imagine. After Oct. 7, 2023, I think we have all been stunned by the evil that was done to so many innocent people. And from chapter 6, those who had already died and were in heaven under the altar were wondering how much longer God would allow the atrocities that were happening on the earth to His children continue to happen. The judgment falling upon those who harmed them will be eternal. They will be dealt with in Rev. 19.
God put within me an extreme desire to nurture and care for others, especially my own. When Gabe had his cancer surgery, I stayed in his room for days without leaving. I wanted him near me. I wanted me near him. When we were at St. Jude, I often moved my mattress to the doorway of his bedroom because I wanted to be able to hear him if he was in distress during the night. Whenever I’ve counseled with abused or hurt children, I had to fight my inclination to grab them and hold onto them and protect them. I believe God put that kind of a nature in me because He is like that with His children. I have no doubt that many of you who are reading this feel the same way about your children.
35. Record Psalm 34:18 in the space below.
36. Isn’t God close to us at other times in our lives as well? What do you think this verse means?
Because of God’s love for us and His nurturing nature, He draws even closer to His children during times of suffering. Our suffering affects Him.
37. In Rev. 7:15, how close does God keep these tribulation saints?
38. Look back to Rev. 6:5. What else have these saints been through?
Most of us have never known real hunger. My dad grew up poor and has often shared stories about going through the woods to find berries or anything that he could eat because he was so often hungry. I can’t fathom my sweet daddy going through that. During the Great Tribulation, food will be scarce and those who don’t have the mark of the beast will not be able to buy and sell. And because of famine across the world, they will have difficulty just going out and finding animals to kill or berries to pick.
But perhaps even worse than the hunger that will be prevalent, the thirst to me is even worse.
39. Read ahead to Rev. 8:10. What happens to the waters on the earth?
So not only was food scarce, but ⅓ of the fresh water was polluted. We know that these saints were starving and thirsting, and in Rev. 7:16, we learn that the sun beat down on them.
40. Read ahead again to Rev. 16:8. What is happening here when the 4th bowl judgment is poured out?
These dear tribulation saints were caught up with all that was going on in the earth. This suffering is unlike anything that has ever come upon the world. And with all they suffered, they still refused to give into the world system and receive the mark of the beast or worship the Antichrist.
41. Rev. 7:15 speaks of God spreading His tabernacle over these saints. Read Is. 4:4-6. What does v. 6 say about God’s shelter over His children?
In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was the meeting place. It was the place where the presence of God resided and the people would go there to make their sacrifices and the priests would continually offer up sacrifices of one kind or other to God. In Rev. 7:15, God is making His continual presence a gift to those who have suffered. It is as if He is spreading Himself over them to assure them of His love and protection. What a nurturing and loving Father He is. In my mind, I can envision Him just tucking these saints under His arms and I can envision the most secure child in the universe relaxing under sure and kind protection.
Rev. 7:17 is so beautiful that I just want to write it out here:
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.
For one of the elders to speak this last verse, we must know that these tribulation saints suffered great sorrow. I have often heard that one moment in heaven will wipe away a lifetime of sorrows. The suffering of His children is something that God remembers and makes a remedy for. On this side of heaven, there are some losses that cannot be remedied. But once we are there, all pain evaporates. God is going to take special care of those who suffered and died during the Great Tribulation. They will never again want for anything. He will be their everything and will canopy over them. That is what tabernacling over them means.
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