November 20, 2016
Evening Service

Last week in chapter six, we saw the beginning of the seven seals of the scroll to be opened.  The first seal revealed a white horse that stood for the threat of war.  The second revealed a red horse that represented war and bloodshed.  The third seal was a black horse that stood for famine.  A pale horse represented death as the fourth seal was opened.  The fifth seal gave us a picture in heaven of those who were martyrs for their faith and cried from under the altar for their lives to be avenged.  The sixth seal brought on a great natural disaster with a great earthquake and the darkening of the sun, the moon became as blood and a third of the stars fell from the sky.  This brought great panic upon the earth to the extent that men called for rocks to fall on them to prevent them from experiencing the wrath of God. The chapter ended with this question:

Revelation 6:17 for the great day of His wrath has come, and who will be able to stand?

 

Revelation 7:1-3  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth so that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.  (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, (3)  saying, “Do not hurt the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

·         The answer to the question that ended chapter 6 is: “No one, except for the grace of God.”  God has sent four angels to hold back the winds of judgment until the elect of God are sealed.

·         A seal, such as the ones on the scroll we are studying now, is used to identify the contents as being protected by the one who sealed it.  Only Jesus was found worthy to open the seals to this scroll.

·         God is now placing His identifying mark upon His followers guaranteeing His protection of their souls.  By doing this He shows that they have great value to Him.  He values and seals all those who follow Him through Jesus.  Look how Paul describes our value to God in the Ephesian letter.

 

 Ephesians 1:11-14  in whom also we have been chosen to an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will,  (12)  for us to be to the praise of His glory, who previously had trusted in Christ;  (13)  in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,  (14)  who is the earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

·         God chose you to be sealed with His Holy Spirit which promises a heavenly inheritance.  Upon your confession of faith and baptism, you were marked as belonging to God.  He chose you.  He loves you.  He values you. 

·         How does that make you feel?

 

Revelation 7:4-10  And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousands, having been sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel.  (5)  Out of the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand had been sealed.  (6)  Out of the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand had been sealed.  (7)  Out of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand had been sealed.  (8)  Out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand had been sealed. Out of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand had been sealed.  (9)  After these things I looked, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands.  (10)  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

·         The 144,000 are Jewish believers with 12,000 coming from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.  There are some notable differences as the first tribe listed is Judah (Jesus) not Reuben the oldest.  The tribe of Levi is also recognized here, but in Deuteronomy it had no tribal allotment as they were the keepers of the temple. Joseph was also recognized as a tribe where formerly he was honored by having his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, receive tribes.  The tribe of Dan and Ephraim were excluded possibly for their history of rebellion.

·         Along with these Jewish believers, we see “A great multitude, which no man can number.”  These are the Gentile believers from all over the world that are also sealed.   Notice there is no denomination mentioned.

·         Many commentators make the case that this is what we now call the “Rapture of the church.”  God removing all believers from having to endure His wrath.  Certainly we could argue both ways, but we really are not given this information.

·         This mass of believers now begins to worship God crying in one voice unified together as never before.  “Salvation to our God sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  They are then joined by others in their praise.

 

Revelation 7:11-12 And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell before the throne on their faces and worshiped God,  (12)  saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

·         You may have been to some wonderful services where God is lifted up in a mighty way, but this gathering is going to blow you away!  As one heart, mind, body and soul all will sing praises in unity to our God.

 

Revelation 7:13-14  And one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these who are arrayed in white robes, and from where do they come?”  (14)  And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.”

 

 

·         Here again we can make the case for the raptured saints or also for those who have endured any great tribulation and been found faithful.  Their white robes come from washing them in the blood of Christ.  Through His soul cleansing blood is the only way to escape facing the wrath of God.

·         Look now at the reward that is promised for we that have been chosen and sealed by God.

 

Revelation 7:15-17  “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. And He sitting on the throne will dwell among them.  (16)  They will not hunger any more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun strike them, nor any heat.  (17)  For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

·         In three short verses heaven, our eternal home is described to us.  Jesus spoke of heaven as He comforted His followers with a promise.

 

John 14:1-3  Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.  (2)  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.

·         The place Jesus has prepared for us is perfect in every way. 

 

Notice heaven is perfect in:

·         Location-We will be right before the throne of God.

·         Service-We will serve Him night and day in His temple.

·         Fellowship-Our Creator, Savior and Lord will dwell among us.

·         Satisfaction-We will want for nothing without thirst or hunger.

·         Security-The sun’s heat nor anything else will harm us.

·         Guidance-Our good shepherd will lead us to “fountains of living water.”

·         Joy-God will wipe away every tear (heartache, pain, disappointment, regret, shattered dreams…) from our lives.

 

That is the prize we need to have our eyes upon.  This should be the retirement plan we invest in.  We will live in perfect harmony with each other and with the One who gave Himself for us.  He chose you and sealed you so that you could live in heaven with Him one day!

 

Is there anything that He could ask us to do that even compares to what He has promised us?

 

Lord, salvation comes from You alone, may our hearts cry out praises to You.