Revelation 7:1-17
Q.1. Why will the final seal opening be delayed? What is the identity of the 144,000 bondservants? Why are Levi and Joseph included? Why are Ephraim and Dan missing? – (Rev.7:1-8)
There is a lull before the storm. Another angel with great power is ready to strike destruction on the earth and sea but is held back – … UNTIL we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads (Rev.7:3). The opening three chapters of John’s revelation refer repeatedly to the church. However, the church will not be referred to again until Chapter 19. What we do have during this time are specific references to Israel and the nations. In chapter 7, Israel was recorded with twelve of its tribes. These bondservants are 12,000, sealed from twelve tribes of Israel, totalling 144,000 (Rev.7:3-8). To spiritualize this to mean the church or any cult, is not justifiable. Why the tribes of Levi and Joseph are included, and Ephraim and Dan are missing, was not explained. Obviously, God knows what we do not know. However, God gave this vision to John by inspiration, so it must be correct. Some object that many in Israel do not know their genealogical roots. God knows those who are His. He has never had a problem in identifying the tribal roots in the past when birth records were lost (c.f. 2 Tim.2:19; Ezra 2:62.63; Neh.7:64-65).
Q.2. What was the result of the ministry of these witnesses? What was the crowd’s confession? Do we know their identity? Will they survive the great tribulation? – (Rev.7:9-17)
What was now described will be the darkest time in the history of the world (c.f. Mt.24:21-22). However, it will also be a time when God gets people’s undivided attention. This will issue forth in world-wide revival – … behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands (Rev.7:9). These saints in white robes have enthroned King Jesus. They cry out with the elders and four living creatures – Salvation to our God wo sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Rev.7:10 c.f. Rev.7:13). Who exactly are they? – … These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev.7:14). Many of them have been martyred, for they are before the throne of God – … and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them … for the Lamb in the centre 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 (Rev.7:15 & 17 c.f. Rev.6:10).