[:en]SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 7
“Salvation belongs to our God, who its on the throne and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10)
“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 7:12)
John saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. The winds of heaven represents God’s judgment. Then another angel from the east holds the seal of God. He commands the angels of the wind not to harm the land and sea or the tree until the foreheads of His servants have been sealed. (vs. 1-4)
The sealed servants of God came from the 12 tribes of Israel with 12,000 from each tribe totaling 144,000. The 12 tribes are: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. The tribe of Dan is absent and replaced by Manasseh because Dan led Israel into idolatry (Judges 18:30; 1 Kings 12:28-30). (vs. 5-8)
The great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language are the saved Gentiles though the labor of the 144,000. They have come out of the great Tribulation and are wearing white robes. The white robes indicate righteousness because they are saved though the blood of the Lamb (v. 14). They are before the throne of God serving Him day and night in the temple. They will never experience hunger, thirst, nor scorching heat of the sun. God will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes (vs. 9-17).
SUMMARY:
John saw two groups of people – the 144,000 sealed Jews and a great multitude of saved Gentiles. The 144,000 sealed Jews are protected. They are witnessing on earth and will enter into the kingdom. The great multitude of saved Gentiles cannot be numbered. They are not sealed and many will die. They will be worshiping in heaven and sharing the kingdom of God.
Today, the world is experiencing war, famine, scorching heat of chaos, political turmoil and economic crisis. God had sealed a remnant in Israel with 144,000 Jews to be His witness among the Gentiles. They will survive persecution and many Gentiles will be saved. But many Gentile converts will lay down their lives for the Gospel.
The day of the Lord will bring judgment to this world. It is time for us to win others to the Savior. In the midst of trials, let us be patient and faithful. For God’s mercy will lead us to spirings of living water. He will give us comfort and we will be rewarded.[:]