Sealing The Servants Of God. Revelation 7 concerns members of Ecclesias rather than Roman Empire overall. Divisions occur between the church of Constantine and minority groups e.g. Donatists. “Peaceable Donatists” - conscientious objectors - would not fight for the Empire - often exiled.

True and Counterfeit Religions. Claimed to exist - true and counterfeit amongst Christianity itself. Beliefs / practices mutually exclusive. Both groups claimed allegiance to Jesus Christ. Paul had warned of error which would arise. Period of peace after Constantine allowed true believers to re-group - be strengthened.

Rev 7:1,2. 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,

Rev 7:3,4. 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 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.”

Winds, Earth & Sea (Rev 7). 7:1 “...four winds of the earth...” - wars from whatever quarters. “...angels holding the four winds...” - events leading to war are subject to the control of Christ - to whom angels are subject. 7:1 “earth” represents Roman Empire. “sea” denotes nations in general. Picture of all armies held in restraint - state of peaceful calm throughout empire.

Sealing by ‘the Angel.’ During time of peace - sealing process takes place. 7:2 “an angel ascending from the east” - literally “from the sun rising” - Jesus - Sun of Righteousness – and his apostles pictured as ‘multitudinous angel’. Effect on minds of preaching of gospel by multitudinous angel likened to impress made by a seal.

“Sealing” During External Peace. When in contact with “good honest hearts” gospel truth makes mark or impression on thinking - and living - the seal of God. 7:3 To be “sealed in the forehead” - to have truth impressed and adopted in the understanding. Time of peace enabled effective sealing process. 7:4 144,000 - symbolic number only represents number of Redeemed. Strong overtones of Israelitish themes.

Household of God. Symbolic number of redeemed represents full completion of household of God. Basis of perfect Israelitish Government of millennial age. Only faithful believers are true seed of Abraham - Jew or Gentile. In Jesus - hope of Israel extended to Gentiles who also become seed of Abraham.

A Great Multitude. 8 “Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

Results of Sealing Process. 7:9 Vision of glory and rejoicing of the “sealed” before the throne. Sealing process involves moulding influences on characters by which shaping takes place, for divine use in Age to come. Vision of encouragement for believers under pressure. Number of The Redeemed - still being made up.

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.“ (Rev 7).

The Mount of Olives