Review of Ch. 6: The Seal Judgments

1. They cover the entire Tribulation period

2. They are all from God• Jesus breaks the seals• The four living creatures

are involved3. The Rider on the white horse is Jesus

Review of Ch. 6: The Seal Judgments

3. The Rider on the white horse is Jesus

• Crown of Ch. 6 = Heb. 2:9 = Victor!

• Crowns of Ch. 19 = One who has defeated the Kings!

• Bow = distant judgment – ch. 6• Sword = close battle – ch. 19 -

Both in Ps. 45

Review of Ch. 6: The Seal Judgments

3. The Rider on the white horse is Jesus• Symbolizes purity• Horses often used in

judgments4. This brings us to the coming of Christ

Revelation 7

This represents an interlude to the

judgments.

The slaughter of innocent martyrs leads to judgment

and then, to Ch. 7.

Revelation 7Now, in His wrath, God remembers

mercy (Hab. 3:2) and the scene takes us to a perspective in the

midst of judgment.

In the midst of massive judgment, we see massive movement toward

God; world-wide revival!

Revelation 7:1-2 – The four angels

“After this” = the next thing John saw.

The four angels restrain the four winds, which seems to

be linked to judgmentJer. 49:36-38; Dan. 7:2; Hos.

13:15

Revelation 7:1-2 – The four angels

Many of the judgments of the Tribulation strike the

earth and its environment.Rev. 8-9, 16

Revelation 7It seems as though the first

four Seal Judgments and first five Trumpet Judgments occur

before the middle of the Tribulation.

Matt. 24:4-14 with Rev. 6:1-7; Matt. 24:15ff. With Rev. 6:9-

11; Also, Rev. 11:14

Revelation 7

So, the 144,000 probably minister in the second half of the Tribulation

following the ministry of the two witnesses in the

first half.

Revelation 7:2-3 – The sealing of the servants

Like Ezek. 9:4-6, the servants of God are marked.

They are apparently set apart as those who will be serving

the purpose of God in evangelism and those who will

be excluded from God’s judgment (9:4).

Revelation 7:4-8

The distinctly Jewish character of Revelation becomes more evident

here.

The 144,000 are presented literally and they are

clearly Jewish.

Revelation 7:4-8 – the 144,000

They are Jewish males and called “virgins”, either

due to their being sexually pure and unmarried or due to their separation

from the world.Rev. 14:1-5

Revelation 7:4-8

The tribes are different in that the tribe of Dan is replaced by Levi and

Joseph (including Ephraim?) and Manasseh

are in the list.

Revelation 7:4-8

It’s possible this is due to the idolatry of Dan

(Judges 18:30; 1 Kings 12:29), though he is part of the land distribution in the Kingdom (Ezek. 48:2)

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

These are apparently the result of the ministry of the 144,000 (Mt. 24:14).

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

The white robes elsewhere are the result of a believers works (19:8; 3:4-5; 15:16).

Here, they may be symbolic of the cleansing of sin they receive from Christ (v. 14)

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

The redeemed with palm branches, celebrate the

One who is King.John 12:13; Psalm 118:25-

26

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

Salvation• Into eternal life (Eph. 2:1-10)• From the Beast (Micah 5:6)• From the physical corruption

of sin (Rom. 8:21-22; Isaiah 35)

• From the rebellion of men (Ps. 2:9; Jer. 30:23-24)

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

The “great tribulation” is a reference to the last 3 ½

years of the Tribulation (Mt. 24:21), the “time of

Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7).

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

The fact that they are now before the throne and have come out of the

Tribulation indicates their faithfulness to Christ.

Matt. 25:31-46

Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers

Having been faithful in such a difficult time, their

reward is significant.

Rev. 7:15-17 with Isa. 49:8-13

They are close to God and He to them.

They serve Him.

Rev. 7:15-17 with Isa. 49:8-13

Life is a rich and pleasant experience!

All that is sad is forever a thing of the past and God

will comfort them!