A Commentary
Revelation 7:1-18
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
The symbolic language of chapter 7 begins in verse 1 reflected in the fact the earth does not have four corners; it is a sphere. However, four corners indicate the direction of the compass: North, South, East, West. The angels are present to circle the earth to protect it from the impending turbulence to be unleashed by the wind that would blow on the earth, sea, or tree. The devastating wind of a cyclone, typhoon, tornado, or hurricane can do much damage illustrated by Camilla (Biloxi, 1969), and Katrina (New Orleans, August, 2005).
In the Bible, wind is a symbol of destruction. “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. 2 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 7:1-2).
The prophet Jeremiah warned of the winds of destruction that would blow across Elam (W Iran). “And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come” (Jer. 49:36).
In John’s vision he sees four angels holding the winds of destruction from blowing upon the earth.
2 And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
A fifth angel comes into view in John’s vision, from the East. Because he was on the isle of Patmos, John was able to orient himself by facing eastward toward the sun; behind was West where the sun sets. On John’s left hand would be North and on his right hand would be South. In this, the Hebrews differed from the Egyptians who oriented themselves to the South, the source of the Nile River.
The fifth angel carried the seal of the living God. John was familiar with a variety of literal seals which were used to verify a bond, a deed, or a will. John also understood how the term “seal” (sphragizo sfrg-id-zo; to stamp [with a signet or private mark] for security or preservation] was used figuratively.
Jesus used this word in John 6:27 to speak of His own sealing by God the Father. The Father confirmed Jesus was sent from heaven into the world by the miracles He performed, which followed the doctrine He taught.
For the Christian, the seal of the living God is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. “Who [God] hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:22). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:3, 13). “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed [marked out] the servants of our God in their foreheads.
The Fifth Angel instructed the Four Angels, who had power to hurt the earth and the sea, to wait until holy angels (“we”) sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. In John’s vision, God used angels to place another seal or mark on the believers, a mark on their foreheads. “While some of the angels were employed to restrain Satan and his agents, another angel was employed to mark out and distinguish the faithful servants of God” (Matthew Henry). So, the believers in John’s vision were sealed by the Holy Spirit, and sealed again, or marked, by holy angels.
The divine mark of God is placed on the forehead where the soul resides comprising our intellect (thoughts), will (choices), and emotions. These are to be brought into captivity for Christ. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Turning to Revelation 14:1, something else is revealed about the foreheads of the saints. John sees the name of Jesus and the Father’s name written on the foreheads of those who are sealed. Unfortunately, this truth is not brought out in the KJV translation. Other translations are more faithful to the Greek text. Study the New International Version, Holeman Christian Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version etc.
King James Version
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).
New American Standard Bible
“Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).
New English Translation
“Then I looked, and here was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).
This allusion reminds the people of God of the holy turban made from a plate of pure gold worn by the High Priest. Engraved on the turban were written the words, “Holy to the LORD.”
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and for thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
How the number, 144,000, was derived is shared with John in Revelation 7:5 – 8 and Revelation 14: 1-4. The number represents 12, 000 virgin males from each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 14:4). “In this list [of Revelation 7:5-8] the tribe of Dan is omitted, perhaps because they were greatly addicted to idolatry; and the order of the tribes is altered, perhaps according as they had been more or less faithful to God.” (Matthew Henry).
The question arises: is the number of male virgins, 12,000 from each of the representative tribes of Israel a literal number, or symbolic. Consider
There are some compelling arguments to make for the 144, 000 being a symbolic number.
The Four Corners of the earth is symbolic.
The Four Winds being held in the hands of Angels is symbolic.
The Seal on the Forehead is symbolic of Divine ownership, and the guarantee of a completed transaction.
The Male Virgins are symbolic of spiritual faithfulness to Christ (comparer James 4:4)
The White Robes are symbolic of the robes of righteousness with which Christ clothes the saints.
The Palm Branches are symbolic of victory and joy.
Some Bible teachers believe it is highly unlikely so much of Revelation 7 is symbolic, and yet the 12,000 male virgins are to be taken literally. If a literal ethnic Jewish position is insisted on, then there is the problem of trying to explain what it means to be a Jew. Is being a Jew united to the Hebrew language? Is a person a Jew linguistically? Is a Jew defined, not by ethnicity but by religion? Can anyone, black, white, oriental, or Hispanic, who keeps the Sabbath and the Holy Days be considered a Jew? Does Jewishness depend on a genetic code? Due to the diaspora of AD 70, and two thousand year of intermarriages among the nations, an ethnic Jew is difficult to identify, according to Israel’s own Supreme Court, and a tribal Jew is even more challenging to prove.
The Best Understanding
Perhaps the best understanding of the 144, 000 is to keep the following in mind. John sees his vision as both a Jew and as a Christian. Like Paul, John had a heart for his Jewish brethren to whom God entrusted the Law, spoke through the prophets, and produced the Messiah. Study Romans 10:1-11:36
Like Paul, John was wondering if the Jews were cast off forever. The vision declares, No! God has not forgotten Israel. From every tribe God has a remnant according to the election of grace. To the exiles in Turkey and elsewhere, John has a message of hope. God know who His people in every tribe are. They are those who have the faith of Abraham, and like father Abraham, they rejoice to see the Messiah. God will seal and protect those who follow the Lamb. But the vision does not stop with the redeemed Jewish people. There is something to be said to the Gentiles audience as well. They too shall be saved, sealed, and found serving the Lord of Glory.
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
In the vision, a transition is made from the symbolic representation of a unified Jewish gathering of believers to the ekklesia from all nations, kindreds, people and tongue. In the vision, collectively, John saw all the saints of all the ages, Jew and Gentile, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes of righteousness, with palm branches in their hands. The palm branches signify the triumph of the Lamb. Study Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-34; John 12:12-15 The saints have a word of praise which is conveyed in a loud voice of joy.
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
“O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro’ all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.”
~Charles Wesley
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
In addition to all the saints of all the ages, from every nation, tribe, and tongue, John saw all the angels, and the elders, and the four beasts of heaven fall before the throne and worship God.
Revelation 7:9,10
The Redeemed of the Ages
The Elect Angels
The Twenty-four Elders
The Four Beasts
The scene John witnessed defies description but it does convey a spiritual reality. Let all of creation acknowledge and say,
“Our God reigns! Our God reigns! Our God reigns,
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!”
Amen
That is our earthy song. The heavenly song has different words.
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lyrics to the Heavenly Song
“Amen:
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom,
and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,
be unto our God for ever and ever.
Amen.”
The First Question and Second Question
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Any teaching which tries to remove God’s people from periods of tribulation will find no support either in the Scripture or in the prayer of Jesus Christ as per John 17:15. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”
It is a strange alchemy indeed whereby blood can make robes white. “It is not the blood of the martyrs themselves, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin, and make the soul pure and clean in the sight of God. Other blood stains; this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white and clean” (Matthew Henry).
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Seven Promises
to Survivors of Great Tribulation
They shall hunger no more.
They should thirst no more.
The sun shall not light on them.
The heat will not suffer them.
The Lamb shall feed them.
The Lamb shall lead them to living fountains of water.
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The closing verses of this portion of John’s vision magnify the longing of all of God’s creation to want to serve Him, once they behold His glory and grace. Those who follow the Lamb, and serve the Father, eat of the Bread of Life until they are hungry no more. Those who follow the Lamb, and serve the Father, are made comfortable. They no longer endure darkness, or the oppressive heat of the sun for the Lamb is there to feed them, and comfort them. All tears shall be wiped from their eyes. Herein is a state of eternal happiness.
He that hath ears to hear, in every generation, in this generation, let him hear what the Spirit has to say to the Church. Amen and Amen.
