Revelation 7 Explained

📖  UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

Who Is Jesus?

How to Read the Bible

How to pray

Start with God

Who is the Holy Spirit?

🌍  THE END TIMES

End Times Timeline

The Great Tribulation

The Antichrist

The Mark of the Beast (666)

Armageddon

The Second Coming of Jesus

Revelation Explained

✝️  THE RAPTURE

What Is the Rapture?

Who Will Be Taken?

When Will the Rapture Happen?

Can You Miss the Rapture?

What Happens After the Rapture?

📖  Revelation 7:1-8

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.

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, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four 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 Nephthalim 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.

In this passage, John sees 144,000 Israelites—12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel—being sealed on their foreheads with the seal of God. Before the next series of judgments is poured out on the earth, God sets these servants apart and protects them for the special mission He has appointed for them during the Tribulation.

This prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. According to the prophetic chronology presented on this website, it will be fulfilled after the opening of the sixth seal and before the seventh seal, during the Tribulation. The sealing of the 144,000 marks a pause between the judgments, demonstrating that God continues to fulfill His plan for Israel.

This passage highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant people. As His judgments intensify upon the earth, God preserves these 144,000 servants from Israel, who will play a unique role in the fulfillment of His prophetic plan throughout the Tribulation.

📖  Revelation 7:9

« 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 this verse, John sees a vast multitude of believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language. Clothed in white robes, symbolizing their cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ, they stand before the throne of God and worship the Lamb with joy and thanksgiving.

This vision takes place during the first half of the Tribulation, after the sealing of the 144,000 (Revelation 7:1-8). This great multitude represents those who place their faith in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation and are now in the presence of God. Many of them will have been martyred for refusing to deny their faith.

This verse shows that even in the midst of the Tribulation’s judgments, God will continue to offer salvation. Men and women from every part of the world will trust in Jesus Christ, demonstrating that His grace is available to all who turn to Him, even during the darkest period of human history.

📖  Revelation 7:13-14

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.

In this passage, John sees a great multitude dressed in white robes and receives an explanation of their identity. These are the people who come out of the Great Tribulation, meaning that they will have placed their faith in Jesus during this period and will have persevered despite persecution and trials.

The fact that their robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb shows that their salvation rests on the sacrifice of Jesus. They are not saved by their own works, but by God's grace and through faith in Jesus.

📖  Revelation 7:15-17

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 any more; 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.

In this passage, John describes what will happen to those who come out of the Great Tribulation. After placing their faith in Jesus and persevering through their trials, they stand before God's throne and serve Him day and night. Their service shows that they are not merely saved; they are now devoted to God.

God promises them complete protection and comfort. They will no longer experience hunger, thirst, or suffering from the heat. Jesus, the Lamb, will lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, while God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

These people are Tribulation survivors and martyrs who are saved, rather than members of the Church, the Bride of Jesus, because the Church will already have been raptured before the Tribulation begins. Nevertheless, they will have a place in God's presence and will fully experience His salvation and His care.