Those Who Stand (Rev. 7:1-17)

Today we are taking a look at Revelation 7. The last time that I spoke we covered chapter 6 where the Lamb began to open the seals and reveal the contents of the scroll of chapter 5. 6 of 7 seals were opened showing us the impending devastation and destruction about to come upon the inhabitants of the earth.Under the altar of the Lord martyrs cry out for vindication and their cries are answered with a call to rest and wait until the rest of those faithful followers of Jesus Christ, who would suffer for His name sake, are completed.Chapter 6 ends with those who refuse to yield to the sovereignty of our God crying out as well, only their cries are comparatively different than those who cry from under the altar. The latter cry to escape the judgement of God while retaining their autonomy. They have no desire to surrender to God and be saved. They would rather kill themselves than surrender.I shared with you last time the wise and comforting words of Leon Morris,

“God is in control of the whole process and God is concerned for his people. So, though apocalyptic judgments be loosed against all mankind, believers included, God’s people need never be dismayed. They will be preserved no matter what the tribulation”.[i]

Today we are going to see how the Lord preserves His people.Chapter 6 of Revelation ends by asking a profound question. “Who can stand?” Since the wrath of God and the Lamb is coming upon the entire created order, who can possibly survive it? Well, that’s what we’re going to find out in chapter 7.

Sealed (Rev. 7:1-8)

Revelation 7:1–8 (NKJV)

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. 2 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.” 4 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.

After the first six seals of the scroll are broken there is a slight pause. The seventh seal won’t be opened until chapter 8 and when it is opened it will begin another series of judgments from God more intense than the previous ones. During this brief intermission, the question posed by those who tried to hide themselves from the wrath of God and the Lamb is answered.Chapter 7 is split into two major sections introduced by the phrase, “After these things...”. Each section details a different vision. Robert Mounce points out that “The visions contrast the security and blessedness that await the faithful with the panic of a pagan world fleeing from judgement”.[ii]Four angels are standing at the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth. Most-likely, the four corners and four winds refer to the directions of a compass (NESW). These winds (divine judgements) are held back by the angels so that it does not blow upon the earth, the sea or trees. All of a sudden there is a fifth angel. This angel comes carrying the seal of God and a message from God. The four angels with the four winds are told not to harm the earth, the sea, or the trees until the servants of God are sealed on their foreheads (v3).In 2 Peter 2:9, the word of God tells us that “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” And the deliverance of the godly are clearly seen in this chapter.The seal of God carried by the fifth angel serves as a method of protection and identification for a remnant of God on earth. This seal marks those few “who were redeemed from the earth” (Rev. 14:3), “virgins” they are called (Rev. 14:4) in whom there is no deceit or fault and they are standing before the throne of the Lamb (Rev. 14:1-5).Who then can stand, but those who have been redeemed by the Lamb on the throne?144k servants of God are marked with the seal of ownership on their foreheads. If you look at the list here in Revelation 7 there are some noticeable differences with the catalog elsewhere. Robert Mounce points out that “the tribes are listed in some 18 different orders in the OT, none of which agrees with the order in Revelation” (Revelation, p160). There is even considerable debate about who exactly these 144k servants represent. Whomever they are, the Lord has placed His Name upon their foreheads (Rev. 22:4). He has claimed them as his own. They belong to Him.Revelation 22:4 (NKJV)4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.Let me tell you a story that I heard recently about this very thing happening in Northern Africa. This is a story about the reciprocity of faithfulness.

A Muslim by the name of Reddit (spl) was sick one day during his soccer match when a group of Christians from the opposing team asked him if wanted some medicine or would he like for them to pray for him in Jesus’ Name. Seeing this as an opportunity to prove the Christian God to be a fake he let the guys pray for him in Jesus’ Name. Contrary to what he thought would happen, he immediately felt better and played his best match. His team actually won the match. 40 Muslims gave their lives to Jesus during the time of the soccer tournament. But wait, that’s not the end.Several years later Reddit and other Christians had gone through a time of fasting that bolstered their faith in God so they did it a second time. During the second fast God spoke to them that their country was about to enter into a war with a lot of killing and God told these North African Christians, “Do not be afraid. I will protect you.” And that’s just what He did. Reddit said that 100’s of 1,000’s of North Africans were being killed during the country’s war, but at the same time the church was experiencing an unprecedented growth and not a single follower of Jesus Christ died during the time of this country’s war.[iii]

God had sealed His people!When the fifth trumpet is blown in Revelation 9 and the locusts come out of the bottomless pit, they are restricted from harming anyone with the seal of God on their foreheads (Rev. 9:4). Take comfort in this church, because every born-again Believer in Jesus Christ has been sealed as well. We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise for the day of our redemption (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).2 Corinthians 1:22 (NKJV)

22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Not only does the seal of God protect us and identify us, but it is how the Lord claims us for Himself. It is our guarantee of salvation!

Multiplied (Rev. 7:9-12)

Revelation 7:9–12 (NKJV)

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

In the first vision, which is happening on the earth, John hears the number of those who are sealed from 12 tribes of Israel. In the second vision, which is happening in heaven, John actually sees an innumerable multitude representing every kind of people from the earth joyfully praising the Name of the Lord.I noticed something this week which I had not considered before.These verses (9-12) help us to answer a very concerning question. This question is often asked by those looking for a way to discount God as being loving, compassionate, mercy, powerful or sovereign. The question is this; “If Jesus is indeed the only Way for a person to be saved, what about those who have never heard of Jesus? What about those in the most remote places? The deepest and darkest parts of the world? What happens to them?”Listen to verses 9 and 10 again.Revelation 7:9–10 (NKJV)

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Daniel Akin paints a great picture for us about these verses.

“In this massive throng of the redeemed in heaven, there is not the slightest hint of bigotry, ethnocentrism, prejudice, or racism. Of the [17,429] people groups in the world, each is present and represented. Of the [7,417] people groups currently unengaged, each is represented. Of the [3.37] billion persons still not having an adequate opportunity to hear the gospel, the Lamb is reaching out and calling them unto Himself by the Spirit and through His people.”[iv]

GO!! Jesus said, and make disciples of ALL nations (Matt. 28:19)!Before Jesus returns for His church, Matthew 24:14 reminds us that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”This gospel tells us that God created man in his own image. It tells us that man rebelled against God and sin entered the world causing every created thing to be impacted by sin. With no way to get ourselves out of our own sinful cycle God sent His Son Jesus in the form of sinful humanity one Christmas morning. He came to His own and they rejected Him. However, He spread His tent our them. He dwelt among them living as they live eventually dying because of, instead of and for them. He became sin Who had no sin, so that we, who were filled up with sin might become the righteousness of God through the Righteous One - Jesus Christ! One day, every single knee of every single person will bow and every individual tongue of every individual will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and our God and Father will receive the glory that he rightfully deserves (Isa. 45:22-25; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10-11).God isn’t leaving anybody out! Every nationality, every ethnicity, every language, every type of people will be accounted for in the redeemed of our God!

Clothed (Rev. 7:13-17)

There is so much joy and hope in these final words.Remember that faithfulness ALWAYS has a reward! Let that encourage you when you find yourself struggling to follow Jesus.No only does the seal of God protect those who belong to God, but it also provides for them what things they lack. When they come out of the great tribulation, which the prophet Daniel tells us will be a time of trouble unlike anything anyone has ever experienced, God will deliver His people (Daniel 12:1 ).God will cover them with white robes (Rev. 6:11; 7:9; 13-14).White robes are representative of victory. When the letter was written to the zombie church of Sardis it was said that a remnant within that congregation had not defiled their garments and because of that they would walk with the Lord in white. Lastly, it is said that whoever overcomes would be clothed in white garments (Rev. 3:4-5). The way that these robes are whitened is so counterintuitive. It’s paradoxical. They are washed in the blood of the Lamb!Washing with blood is a reference to the OT purification rituals. Bulls were slaughtered in sacrifice and their blood was sprinkled on the tabernacle and other utensils used in worship. You can see this all throughout the book of Leviticus.

Robert Mulholland, Jr says that “being ‘washed in the blood of the Lamb’ is not simply a treatment for superficial stains and blemishes on the surface of our life that leaves us untouched at the deeper levels of our being.” [v]It is “the complete efficacy of Christ’s atoning death.”[vi]

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22). Not only will God cover this multitude, butGod will welcome them as well. They stand before the throne and dwell with the One who is seated on the throne.God will also sustain them. They won’t be hungry anymore because they will have feasted on the Bread of Life. “Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (Jn. 6:58). They won’t be thirsty anymore because they will have taken Christ at His invitation to come to Him and drink. John 7:38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” They won’t be affected by the scorching heat of the sun because they will “...abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1).Lastly, God will comfort them. Every grief-filled tear will be wiped away by the compassionate hand of God.This final portion of Rev. 7 is rooted in the prophecy of Isaiah 49:10. The Lion of the tribe of Judah. The Lamb of God who is worthy to open and read the contents of the scroll, shows up in these final lines as a Shepherd. Not just any old shepherd though, He is the Good Shepherd! The one who lays down His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11). The Shepherd who knows which sheep belong to Him because He has sealed His Name on their foreheads!

Call to Respond

If you are here this morning and you are not a Christian,  if you have not accepted the free gift of God's saving grace,  do so right now. Jesus loves you! He, being the fullest expression of God on earth, willing laid down His life for you. You might say, but I don't need a Savior. I'm not that bad.  Oh yes you are! The Bible clearly states that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But in His compassion and His desire to live at peace with you, He justified you freely by His grace through the redemption that is only in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24). You are dead in your trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1) and it was at that very moment that the hand of God reached out through the corridors of time and saved you from death by letting Jesus die in your place (Romans 5:6-8). Trust Him today! Trust Him now!If you already know Him,  don't leave here today without a sincere desire to obey God and join Him in the salvation of those still lost in their sin. Share the reason for the hope that you have in Jesus this Christmas season.        Cited Works[i] (Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 103.)[ii] (Robert Mounce, Revelation 154.)[iii] (Maverick Podcast, North Africa, Oct. 27; https://open.spotify.com/episode/5izjr9TqTO85yKJz66vcTq?si=b0d2f98df3a343a9)[iv] (Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Revelation, p157; JoshuaProject, Dec. 6, 2022. joshuaproject.net).[v] (M. Robert Mulholland Jr., “Revelation,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: James, 1–2 Peter, Jude, Revelation, ed. Philip W. Comfort,Cornerstone Biblical Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011), 482.)[vi]  (Morris, p117). Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove,IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 117.