In chapter 5 we saw the Lamb take the Title Deed of the earth and in chapter 6 we saw Him began the process of taking back the earth which is rightfully His. This process lasts for a period of 7 years and includes a series of sevens; seven seals that are broken, seven trumpets that are sounded, and seven bowls that are poured out. In chapter 6 we saw six of the seven seals being opened.

The events are described as a storm that comes upon the earth. Chapter 6 begins with “the noise of thunder.” Thunder was an indication that a storm was approaching. Then as the events of chapter 6 unfold, we see the storm – a storm of God’s wrath – that is to come upon the earth.

There is the opening of six of the seven seals that sees four horsemen bringing upon the earth deception, dissension, deprivation and death. Things go from bad to worse with catastrophic events occurring, events so bad that the inhabitants of the earth flee to the mountains and pray for the rocks to fall upon them. These events are defined in 6:17, “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

As we move into chapter 7 we have a brief interlude in the storm before the 7^th seal is opened. Chapter 7 is a parenthetical chapter, a parenthesis between the opening of the 6^th and 7^th seal.

I heard about this little boy that was out west and seeing some cowboys, he said to his mother, “Mommy, lookie at them thar bowlegged cowboys.” His mother, an English teacher, said, “Son, you go directly to your room and read that book on Shakespeare I gave you. Maybe that will teach you good grammar. The next day the little boy saw some cowboys again and he said, “Mother, what manner of men are these who wear their pants in parenthesis?”

Revelation chapter 7 gives us a parenthesis. This brief interlude has been described as the eye of the storm. Part of the storm has passed and there is yet more of the storm to be faced. Now, there is the calm before the winds of the storm are upon the earth again.

In chapter 7 we see a great tribulation harvest of souls. It describes the greatest revival the world will ever know with multitudes coming to Christ and being saved. Jesus said to His disciples in John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”  Never has the world been whiter unto harvest than during this time upon the earth and the evidence is seen in the number of people that are saved during this time.

Let’s notice this great tribulation harvest by first noticing:

1. THE STORM THAT IS SUSPENDED

Rev. 7:1-3

[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.

Wind in the Bible is often a symbol of God’s judgment and wrath. The “four winds” speak of God’s judgment that is world-wide. All of the events we saw in chapter 6, and as we shall see through chapter 19, involve the whole earth and every nation of the earth. In this scene we have “four angels” “the four corners of the earth” and “the fours winds of the earth.” The number four is the number of the earth. This is an earthly scene involving an earthly storm.

As John watches these events, he sees how:

A) The Course of the Storm is Controlled

He sees four angels. In verse 2 we read that these four angels had been given power and commissioned by God “to hurt the earth.” The word “hurt” speaks of that which is “unjust.” It describes bringing injury without mercy. They had been given control of the storm to wreak havoc on the earth. They were instruments in the hands of God to carry out His mission of judgment and wrath.

We see them in verse 1 “holding the four winds of the earth.” The word “hold” speaks of “using strength to seize or retain.” He sees four angels restraining the course of the storm.

He sees them standing “on the four corners of the earth.”  The reference to four corners is an idiom that speaks of the four points of the compass. There is an angel in the north, east, south and west controlling these four winds.

They are holding the four winds so “that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor the sea, nor on any tree.” These four angels halt the wind in its tracks so that there was not so much as a breeze on the earth.

John also saw how:

B) The Force of the Storm is Contained

He see and hears “another angel ascending from the east.” The word “east” as used here means “the rising of the sun.” Notice that this angel is “ascending” and not descending. Like the sun rising in the east, this angel rises from the east.

We read that “he cried with a loud voice to the four angels.” He calls for a restraint in their mission of destruction. He commands them in verse 3, “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees.” The damage that the storm would bring is restrained.

Severe storms always come with damaging force. In what is referred to as the Great Hurricane of 1938, the devastation to New York and surrounding areas was staggering. There were 700 deaths and 708 people injured. There were 4,500 homes, cottages, and farms destroyed and 15,000 damaged, 26,000 automobiles were destroyed and 20,000 miles of electrical and telephone lies were down. The total cost of the storm for Long Island alone was estimated to be $6.2 million in 1938 prices.

In this storm we see that the damages are contained. It should be noted that this is only a pause in the storm. Note the word “till.” The storm will resume its devastating path after certain events are fulfilled. The worse is still to come. The reason for this pause in the storm is explained in verse 3, “till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.”

The reason the storm was controlled and contained is seen in:

2. THE SERVANTS THAT ARE SEALED

Rev. 7:4

    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.

The reason for the pause in the storm was the sealing of the 144,000. This 144,000 is called “the servants of God” in verse 3. The word “servant” speaks of a “slave.” These are 144,000 that will be saved, surrendered and serving God during the tribulation period.

Let’s learn more about them by first considering:

A) The Identification of the 144,000

The Seventh Day Adventists, the Jehovah Witnesses and others have made the claim to be this 144,000. However, when their numbers increased and they became more than 144,000 they had to change their theology. Some have even suggested that they are the Church. We do not have to speculate or guess who they are. Verse 4 tells us that are “an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” The 144,000 is a select group of actual Jews. These are Jews that will be saved during the tribulation. In verses 5-8 these are mentioned by tribe. This 144,000 consists of 12,000 Jews from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Also we see:

B) The Preservation of the 144,000

The pause in the storm is so this 144,000 can be “sealed.” In verse 2 we read that the angel that ascended from the east carried with him “the seal of God.”  He commanded the four angels to control and contain the storm that was blowing upon the earth “till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

What is this seal? The word “sealed” simply speaks of a “stamp.” It is descriptive of a signet ring worn by a king. It served as his official seal and would be used to mark official documents. Wax would be placed upon a letter or document and the king would press the signet ring into the wax leaving his seal upon it. The seal served a two-fold role. For one, it provided preservation; and two, it prevented molestation. The seal of the king declared it the property of the king and was a document that was not to be tampered with.

The seal that will be placed on the forehead of this 144,000 will be God’s act of protecting and preserving this group of Jews. We later see this 144,000 coming out of the tribulation. They will be survivors. The antichrist will not be able to harm them or destroy them. They will be protected from all the events that occur upon the earth. In 6:8 we saw that a “fourth part of the earth” will die from the events that will occur during this time. But, these 144,000 will be protected and preserved. They will be tribulation survivors.

We read in 14:1, “And I looked, and, lo, a lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.” The seal will be the name of God. They will be marked as the property of God, protected and preserved by God.

We also see:

C) The Occupation of the 144,000

Again, I point out that they are called “the servants of our God.” This indicates they serve God in a certain capacity and have a role of service during the tribulation period. The Bible says in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Jesus was foretelling of how during the tribulation the gospel of the kingdom would be preached throughout the world prior to the end. From all we know, this 144,000 will be Jewish converts from the tribulation that will become God’s servants that will be missionaries and evangelists that will preach the gospel throughout the world.

We don’t always think of it as so, but during the tribulation, one of the greatest periods of evangelism will take place that this world has ever known. Here is a group of Jews that come to realize that Jesus is the Messiah. Upon their conversion, they are set apart by God to preach the gospel to the whole world. That is the reason they will be protected and preserved by God so that they can preach the gospel of the kingdom through out the world.

The impact of their ministry is seen in a second group that is found in chapter seven. Thirdly we see:

3. THE SAINTS THAT ARE SLAIN

We read in verse 9, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” John sees a multitude whose number exceeds human computation. He sees a multitude from every nation and race on the earth.

Let’s look closer at this multitude. We see them as:

A) A Redeemed Multitude in Heaven

The identity of this multitude in seen in verses 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.

John describes in verse 9 how they were “clothed with white robes” and had “palms in their hands.” The white robes speak of their purity. Verse 14 describes them as those who “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They have been made clean and righteous through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus.

The multitude of people that John sees have been converted or saved during the tribulation period. The context seems to indicate that these are converts of the witness and evangelism of the 144,000. These fiery Jewish evangelists have preached the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world and a great harvest of souls will be won through their preaching.

There have been periods of time throughout history when there has been a great ingathering of souls, but nothing to compare to this great spiritual harvest. The converts will total a number that no man can count.

John sees them standing “before the throne” which places this multitude in heaven which indicate that they are martyrs of the tribulation period and paid the ultimate price for being a Christian. As we saw in our last study, the tribulation will unleash a period of persecution such as this world has ever known. This multitude is reflective of how extensive this persecution will be. These are the tribulation saints that will be slain for their faith. Now we see them in heaven.

We also see them as:

B) A Rejoicing Multitude in Heaven   

The palms in their hands speak of their praise. Every heavenly scene we have seen in Revelation is one of celebration, praise and worship. Some people are uncomfortable with praise and worship down here, but in heaven, it will be the norm.

The scene is no different in relation to this great multitude. We read in verse 10 that they “cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Like every previous scene, the Lord Jesus will be the focus of heaven. He will be adored and worshipped by all in heaven.

Even the angels and the others we have seen in heaven get in on the celebration: “And all the angels stood around about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessings, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

It is a glorious scene of worship and praise, but then, that is always the case in heaven.

We also see them as:

C) A Rewarded Multitude in Heaven

Rev. 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.

This multitude will pay the ultimate price for serving the Lord, but their sacrifice will not go unnoticed or unrewarded.

In verse 15 we see where they stand. They are “before the throne of God.” They stand before God in a place of honor.

We see how they serve. They “serve Him day and night in His Temple.” They abide in God’s presence as indicated by reference to the Temple and they have the privilege of serving Him continually. As well, He dwells among them.

We see how they are satisfied. Verse 16 says, “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more.” One can only imagine the hardships they endured on earth. But in heaven, there is no want or desire. They are eternally satisfied.

We see how they are sheltered: “neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” They suffered much, but now their suffering is forever behind them. They now dwell in a place where they are sheltered from all sorrow and suffering.

We see how they are sustained. In verse 17 we read, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters.” The Lamb now becomes a Shepherd. He now provides for their every need and desire.

We see how they are solaced: “and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” They have cried for the last time and shed their last tear. They are home at last.

When you compare the earthly scenes of Revelation with the heavenly, it makes you glad that heaven is your eternal destination.