Seventh Seal and the 144,000

Who can stand? Chapter 7 answers this vital question Shows what appears to be two groups of people: -144,000 -Great multitude from every nation

Angels holding back the winds.. Rev. 7:1 – there are angels holding back some “winds” Winds – from the seven seals we understand that these are natural disasters, wars, etc.

From blowing on the land, sea or tree These are obviously symbolic figures: Land – non-densely populated region Sea – multitudes of people – Rev. 17:15 Tree – people of God (Psalms 1:3, 52:8, 92:12)

Until the Servants of God Have a “Seal” Pun: Jesus is opening the “seals” while “seals” are being put on His servants Angel puts it on the forehead of the servants of God

What is this Seal? What were the reason that God sent the first six seals? People didn’t obey God’s laws or commandments – didn’t even know the Bible

Sealed Servants Servants of God sealed Sealing signifies ownership, authenticity Eze. 9 God’s people are marked, saved from destruction- those that lament sin Eph. 1: 13-14 God’s people sealed with Holy Spirit John 16:13 Holy Spirit guides you into all truth God’s people stand firm in the final crisis

What is this Seal? Seal – Law of God Forehead – the mind and character Jeremiah 31:33 – a new covenant – “I will write My law in their minds and on their hearts.

What is this Seal? What started to be preached about the time of the sixth seal? (1833) Sabbath of the Bible Christ’s ministry in the sanctuary Judgment of God State of the dead Second coming

144,000 Symbolic number Historians say that even at the time of Christ there were no “pure” tribesmen in Israel

144,000 12 = disciples, tribes of Israel 1,000 = multitude 12 x 12 x 1,000 = multitude of true disciples of Christ Maybe, people that actively spread the gospel from all churches and religions

Great Multitude No one could number this group – very big From everywhere White robes, palm branches Thankful for salvation to the Lamb and to God Rev. 7:10

Two Groups? 144,000 = great multitude Literary device – “hear” then “see” Rev. 1:10-13 – hears loud voice as trumpet, then sees Jesus Rev. 5 – hears that Lion has overcome, then sees the Lamb Rev. 17 – hears of “great prostitute” then sees “woman on scarlet beast” Rev. 21 – hears of “bride, wife of the Lamb”, sees “holy city of Jerusalem”

Where did these groups come from? 7:13,14 – Came through “great tribulation” – Daniel 12:1-4 Washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb

The Lamb The Lamb will take care of them forever – no more crying and troubles Will drink living water Rev. 7:15-17

The Seventh Seal Silence in Heaven for half an hour Prophetic time 7.5 days Second coming God, Jesus and angels left

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 7 reasons 1. Christ is our mediator (I Tim. 2:5) Rev. 1:1 – Revelation is a book which God gave to Jesus Christ to show us

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 2. The Lamb sees the future 5:6 – has “seven eyes” 1:8,19 – Jesus is revealing to John the future Only God can reveal the future – Isaiah 45:21, Dan. 2:27

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 3. The Lamb has “seven horns” – Rev. 5:6 All authority in Heaven and earth has been given to Jesus (Matt. 28:18)

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 4. The Lamb has suffered – Rev. 5:6 He was slain – Isaiah 53 Nobody can relate to the suffering in the seals like Jesus – Matt. 27:46

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 5. The Lamb has conquered! Rev. 5:5 Heb. 2:14 – he conquered the devil, who had the power of death “It is finished!” – John 19:30

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 6. Jesus’ death redeemed people’s sins – Rev. 5:9,10 Jesus paid the price for salvation – Heb. 9:11-28 Only Jesus could make us into a new kingdom of priests

Seals – Why was only the Lamb able to open them? 7. Jesus is our Passover Lamb – I Cor. 5:7 Before we could become kings and priests – we needed to be delivered from our Egypt of sin

God is in Control Again we see that because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross – He is the Ruler of mankind and history that He revealed in the 7 seals