“The Great Unveiling: Guaranteed Security”
Rev. 7:1-17
Last week we looked at the seven seals and saw how much of God’s judgment is already underway in history. We learned that there is still much more to come, and with increasing intensity. But after the sixth seal there was a break in the action – prior to the final seal, in chapter 7, there is an entirely different scene in this divine drama. But it’s critical to our understanding because it contrasts the panic of the pagan world with the security and salvation of the faithful.
The presentation of the sixth seal ends with people facing the wrath of
God crying out, “Who can stand?” In the face of God, who is able to stand, to measure up and be worthy? Who will be able to bear up? After all, didn’t Paul say “There is none righteous, no not one?” These are legitimate questions which Chapter 7 answers. There are those who will bear up and survive. As we learn more about them, let us pray.
Most righteous Father – we realize again how imperfect and unworthy we are. When we see your holiness and meet you in glory, we, too, wonder how we can ever bear up. As we catch yet another glimpse of your heavenly bliss, remind us once more of your grace. Help us get beyond the controversy and confusion of Revelation into your heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first scene in Chapter 7 (1-8) gives us a SENSE OF SECURITY. In verse 1 we meet angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding back the winds. The picture communicates THE POWER OF CHRIST (1-3). In Zechariah the 4 horsemen were interpreted as “the four winds of heaven.” Keeping in mind that people in those times believed the earth was flat and therefore had 4 corners, we can understand the significance of the angels’ position. They surround the world with power. And with that power they are holding back the winds of destructive judgment. Since for the Jews every act of nature was directly from God, John’s readers knew that John was saying that GOD HOLDS BACK THE WINDS AND HORSES OF JUDGMENT. God has heard the question “Who can stand?” He’s heard the inquiry of “What will happen to believers during this time?”, and He’s answering. Think about it – before we entered these last days – again, we are in the last days – God suspended the decisive action of judgment and history.
Isn’t it amazing? The earth, the sea, the trees are all standing still at the command of Jesus Christ! The Lord who stilled the storms and calmed the seas, holds back the words of judgment. As someone once said, “…every moment on the earth is made to serve the redeeming purpose of God for mankind. The 4 winds…cannot blow and vent their rage as they like, but only as they are made to serve the Church of Christ.” In EVERY MOMENT, THE DESTINY OF THE WHOLE WORLD IS IN THE HANDS OF CHRIST! Not one moment of your life, or the life of this earth, passes outside His control.
So Jesus momentarily suspends decisive, final judgment. Why? Because prior to the end of the last days another angel is ready to go forth with the seal of God. At this point THE SEAL IS THE MARK OF GOD’S OWNERSHIP; it marks a person off as a possession of God. Once again, John’s vision comes from the prophets. The people of Judah had turned their backs on God. In a vision Ezekiel saw a man dressed in linen with pen and inkwell in his hand, who was told, (Ezek. 9:4): “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.” Everyone, except those who had the mark on their foreheads, was slaughtered. As Paul later wrote to Timothy (2Tim. 2:19), “The Lord knows those who are his.” He puts His stamp upon them. It assures the believer of the protection of the all powerful, living God. So when the 4 horsemen finally ride forth, when the winds are released, the believers are protected; they are secure.
But how is this power of Christ practical for us? (4-8) We look more closely at THE PLAN OF CHRIST. The first thing we encounter is another controversial issue. John wrote that 144,000 were sealed. What is THE MEANING OF THIS 144,000? Is this a literal or symbolic number? I believe that it is, like all the numbers in Revelation, symbolic. Here’s why. 12x12x10 squared = 144,000. So what?
12 IS THE NUMBER OF TRIBES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NUMBER OF THE APOSTLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. Together they represent THE ENTIRE CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE AGES. When multiplied together they are then multiplied by the square of 10. 10 IS THE NUMBER OF PERFECTION AND STANDS FOR COMPLETENESS – the perfect total. Throughout Scripture it does not indicate limitation but rather fulfillment and completion. For example, when the Psalmist in 50:10 said, “He (God) owns the cattle on a thousand hills…,” did he mean that sheep on the 1,0001st hill are not His? Of course not! He owns them all! The 1,000 hills symbolize all, the complete total. So the 144,000 stands for EVERYONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD – the complete number of those established by our Lord.
But what’s the take home MESSAGE FOR US in this plan of Christ? When we understand Revelation in this way, we see where we fit into the plan. We are part of the 144,000! WE ARE SEALED! We say it again in baptism this morning – it’s a sign and seal from God. We belong to Him. But doesn’t John’s vision state the 144,000 are Jews from the tribes of Israel? Listen to the Apostle Paul’s instruction (Rom. 2:28-29 NLT): “For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit.” Has your heart been changed by Jesus? You are sealed! Paul says that the Holy Spirit is the sign (Eph. 1:13): “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”
If God, before He let loose the 4 horsemen, sealed His people, we are sealed! We are loved! We are never forsaken! We are secure! We can stand! We are the cattle on a thousand hills and nothing can separate us from His love! We may go through the flood of judgment, but God always provides an ark for His own. By God’s amazing power and grace, His seals WILL PROTECT US during these last days – no matter what. It will keep us secure through even the worst which is yet to come. We will not be rescued or exempt from all the trials and terrors, but we will be brought safely through even the final onslaught and assault of evil. As with the Passover event in Egypt, those having the seal of God will not suffer the ultimate devastation of the final judgment of God.
Having gained this sense of security, we next ENCOUNTER A SCENE OF SALVATION. In verses 9-17 we learn the who, how, and what of salvation. In verse 9 and 13-14b, we meet THE ‘WHO’ of salvation. It’s another perspective of the redeemed in heaven. WE see THOSE WHO HAVE COME OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION. It’s only through much tribulation that every one of us enters heaven. There will always be tribulation in life – it’s the result of humankind warring against God. And out of, and because of, this tribulation the redeemed will file into heaven. In the first 8 verses we’re taken care of on earth and here we’re taken care of in heaven. No matter where we are, God is taking care of us!
And now we see how our interpretation of the 144,000 makes great sense. It symbolized completeness and the fact that none who trust would be overlooked. In fact, as John sees them gathered in heaven, he makes it very clear that THE NUMBER IS INCALCULABLE – “…a great multitude that no one could count.” It’s impossible to count the number who will be saved. Only Jesus knows! This is the fulfillment of Genesis where God said the descendants of Abraham would be as the stars in the heavens and as the sand of the seashore. From everywhere God’s United Nations gather! All who believe in Christ are saved.
And HOW are people saved? In Exodus 19:10 & 14 God told the Israelites at Mount Sinai to wash their clothes before coming before him. Now Rev. 7:14c tells us: “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They got there by APPLYING THE BLOOD OF CHRIST TO THEIR OWN SOULS. They did not earn their way by being strong in tribulation or even by repenting at the right times. They got their through the blood of Jesus. We can no more earn our way than the leopard can change his spots (Jer. 13:22-24). WE CAN ONLY BE WHITENED AND CLEANED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS. The eloquent Charles Spurgeon responded to this great news by writing, "Christian, let thy heart rejoice, for thou art “accepted in the beloved”—what hast thou to fear? Let thy face ever wear a smile; live near thy Master; live in the suburbs of the Celestial City; for soon, when thy time has come, thou shalt rise up where thy Jesus sits, and reign at his right hand; and all this because the divine Lord “was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” " (1)
This brings us to the WHAT of salvation; we see the results. First, in verses 10-12 we see that heaven is not a state of inactivity. Rather HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF DILIGENCE IN WORSHIP AND SERVICE. The redeemed are celebrating their deliverance. God has brought them through; His power has upheld them; they now share His glory. So they ascribe praise and glory to God. It’s just as Paul predicted (Eph. 1:13-14 CEB): “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory.” As the hymn-writer wrote, “The great congregation in triumph shall sing – ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.” What a scene! If just one sinner who repents causes heaven to rejoice, what about the rejoicing for the whole united host of all the redeemed!
Yet even as we see them serving and praising God verses 9 and 15-16 show us GOD IS ALSO SERVING THEM. They are given white robes and palms – the symbols of victory. God will never be in any person’s debt, so those who gave their lives to Him will reap the crown of victory! GOD FULLY COVERS THEM. He will shelter them. It literally states that God will pitch His tent over them forever. Eternity will be spent in His tent, nestled in His care. All the promises of God are fulfilled. Listen to the testimony that permeates Scripture from Leviticus to Revelation with the divine promises of the security of His personal presence: “I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people” (Lev. 26:11–12). “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant.… I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Ezek. 37:26–27). “I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God” (Zech. 8:8). “And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look, the tabernacle of God is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God’ ”" (Rev. 21:2-3) God’s got you covered – for life!
Chapter 7, the scene of the great sealing, ends with a picture of OUR SOURCE OF SECURITY AND SALVATION. Verse 17: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.” Just as Jesus was both lion and lamb, so he is also BOTH LAMB AND SHEPHERD. Psalm 23 and Isaiah 40 do speak of Jesus Christ. Not only on earth but also in heaven He leads us to the wellspring of life, and wipes away every tear of earthly sorrow. Scripture is again being fulfilled. Exodus 15:13 – “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Is. 49:10 – “…they will never be hungry or thirsty. Sun and desert heat will not hurt them, for they will be led by one who loves them. He will lead them to springs of water.” Ps. 23:6 (NLT) – “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” John 4:14 – “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” In the end, WE WILL NEVER THIRST OR HUNGER AGAIN.
Imagine walking, stumbling, crawling through a hot, dry, scorching desert – thirsty for one swallow of cool, refreshing water; then finding that fresh-water spring and having all you need for now and for the rest of the journey. That’s small in comparison to the refreshment and nourishment that awaits in heaven, and is available now. No wonder Jesus added this promise, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Sin – vanished. Sorrow – gone. Sighing – ended. Crying – over. Pain – eliminated.
Since Jesus is both lamb and shepherd, and since He has promised and guaranteed this awesome security and salvation, we have the assurance that no matter what happens in this life during these last days, NOTHING CAN HARM US. Jesus’ promises will be fulfilled! (Mt. 10:29-30) “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (John 10:28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” It means that all things will be worked together for our good, though perhaps mysterious to us at the time. Losses can enrich us, sickness may be our medicine, reproach can be our honor, and death can be our gain. We simply need to trust the lamb and shepherd who sits on the throne. Are you ready to trust Jesus Christ?
When we trust Jesus, HIS GLORY SHINES THROUGH US. I deeply appreciate the way Marva Dawn, herself handicapped, put it: “We just don’t know enough yet not to trust God! I wrote that last line with great deliberation, because it seems that our problem lies in trying to work everything out the other way around. We won’t trust God unless He proves Himself, and in the course of our demanding that He prove himself we probably miss most of the data that would convince us. If, on the other hand, we could be more open to how God will work through our situations for His very best purposes, we might be more able to wait for His revelation and timing and control.” (2) God, like Jesus, doesn’t just give us the overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome. He says “Take up your bed and walk. Stretch out your hand. Come forth from the tomb. Go and wash in the pool.” When we trust him enough to walk, to stretch out, to come forth, or to go, He will give us life and glory. As Steven Furtick wrote, “…when you see every crisis in your life as an opportunity to trust Christ more deeply, you will see the glory and goodness of God shining in and through your life.” (3)
Only you know your spiritual condition. Only you know your particular struggles and needs. No matter what – the question is “Are you ready to trust Jesus Christ?” If you have never given your life to Him, if you’re not sure you’ve been sealed, in a moment we’ll pray and give you an opportunity. If you’re sealed but living with worry and fear, or if you’re missing the radiant glory of Christ in your life, in a moment we’ll pray and give you an opportunity to be renewed and refreshed. If you’re struggling with life, about to drown under the weight of your circumstances, you’ll have an opportunity to release them and be relieved of your burden. If you’re hungering and thirsting for life, this is your opportunity. For all of us, it comes down to this: Are you willing to trust Jesus Christ? I invite you to drink of the Living Water, Jesus Christ, and be filled to overflowing with a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Let us pray.
(1) http://ref.ly/o/morneve/366315?length=437 via @Logos
(2) Marva Dawn, Joy in Our Weakness, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, MI. © 2002 by Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., p. 128
(3) ‘Sun Stand Still’, Steven Furtick, Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, CO, © 2010 by Steven Furtick
