Soon!

Here is a link to last week’s series, Soon!

Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!

Revelation 7:10 (CSB)

As we open chapter seven of Revelation, expect a respite from the judgments released on earth when Jesus broke the seals on the scroll.

The reason for the pause is revealed in verse three.

“Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 

Revelation 7:3 (CSB)

Who are these servants and what is the seal on their foreheads?

Well, first things first.

• Who are the four angels?
• Why are they restraining the wind?
• Who is the fifth angel mentioned in the passage?
• What is the seal of the living God?

First of all, we don’t know names or titles of the four angels, but we do know that the angels in Heaven serve at the command of God.Psalm 103:20-21 (CSB).

In this passage, four angels are given power by God to stand at the corners of the earth and hold back the wind. This is done to manage geologic and catastrophic events affecting the earth.

There is a fifth angel revealed in this passage. Jesus is believed by most trustworthy commentaries to be this fifth angel. The other four angels immediately obey His command.

The seal of God identifies the 144,000 witnesses as belonging to Him, providing protection from God’s judgments of evil on Earth.

This seal also identifies the witnesses to the people that they are sent to evangelize.

Here is the passage where all of this is described.

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel rising up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were allowed to harm the earth and the sea, “Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed:

Revelation 7:1 – 4 (CSB)

The witnesses are Jewish people who have been chosen by God. They will be saved but not until after God raptures the Church.

There will be 12,000 of these witnesses or evangelists from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Even today, Jewish people are not aware of which tribe they have come from.

God’s power to save is evident. Even though the Antichrist will be fully functioning in the world, he cannot harm them.

Throughout the Bible, we see God’s relentless love for Israel and His promises to them. God has a plan for them, yet, and this is just one of the plans.

Can you imagine the joy in the Father’s heart as His once faithless people, return to Him. They will also be filled with great joy at their redemption.

God’s kindness offers humanity a chance for redemption, leading to the salvation of many people from every nation, tribe and tongue. Both Gentiles and Jews will be saved in large numbers during the tribulation.

Just think about the scientific and spiritual harmony that our Creator is responsible for. As the passage continues, we get an idea of the magnificent power of God to hold this world together. It is no strain for Him.

Thinking about this mighty power of God brings us back to Revelation 7:1. Did you catch the description of the earth?

Of course, we know that Earth is not flat. The four corners of Earth described in this passage are the four points on a compass.

There is an amazing book by Dr. Henry M. Morris, written in 1983, that I commend to you. This book describes the spiritual and scientific harmony that engages both intellectual and average readers. The book, The Revelation Record¹, can still be found online. It is a great devotional and scientific look at the events described in Revelation.

Moving on to the next section of chapter seven, click the link to review the twelve tribes that are represented by the witnesses.

If you are like me, you have wondered how many people would be saved during the tribulation. Maybe you have wondered if anyone could be saved. Here is the answer.

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice:

Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!

Revelation 7:9 & 10 (CSB)

It can be tough when loved ones reject Christ, but we should pray for them and trust in God’s love. These passages show that God wants everyone to believe. Even when the next seal is opened, He will still show mercy to those who call on His name and open their hearts to Him.

Finally, take a look at the last part of this chapter. May I suggest finding a quiet place and read this aloud? You will be encouraged as you praise God through the intentional reading of His Word.

Then go and share His story while there is still a chance to invite another soul to Christ Jesus.

All the angels stood around the throne, and along with the elders and the four living creatures they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, saying,

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people in white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.”

Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and they serve him day and night in his temple.
The one seated on the throne will shelter them:
They will no longer hunger;
they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them,
nor will any scorching heat.
For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne
will shepherd them;
he will guide them to springs of the waters of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Revelation 7:11-17 (CSB)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

1. The Revelation Record
   Henry M. Morris
   Tyndale House Publishers
   Ca. 1983 ↩︎