2. Review of Ch. 6: The Seal Judgments 1.They cover the entire Tribulation period 2.They are all from God Jesus breaks the seals The four living creatures are involved 3. The Rider on the white horse is Jesus

3. Review of Ch. 6: The Seal Judgments 3.The Rider on the white horse is Jesus Crown of Ch. 6 = Heb. 2:9 = Victor! Crowns of Ch. 19 = One who has defeated the Kings! Bow = distant judgment – ch. 6 Sword = close battle – ch. 19 - Both in Ps. 45

4. Review of Ch. 6: The Seal Judgments 3. The Rider on the white horse is Jesus Symbolizes purity Horses often used in judgments 4. This brings us to the coming of Christ

5. Revelation 7 This represents an interlude to the judgments. The slaughter of innocent martyrs leads to judgment and then, to Ch. 7.

6. Revelation 7 Now, in His wrath, God remembers mercy (Hab. 3:2) and the scene takes us to a perspective in the midst of judgment. In the midst of massive judgment, we see massive movement toward God; world- wide revival!

7. Revelation 7:1-2 – The four angels “After this” = the next thing John saw. The four angels restrain the four winds, which seems to be linked to judgment Jer. 49:36-38; Dan. 7:2; Hos. 13:15

8. Revelation 7:1-2 – The four angels Many of the judgments of the Tribulation strike the earth and its environment. Rev. 8-9, 16

9. Revelation 7 It seems as though the first four Seal Judgments and first five Trumpet Judgments occur before the middle of the Tribulation. Matt. 24:4-14 with Rev. 6:1-7; Matt. 24:15ff. With Rev. 6:9-11; Also, Rev. 11:14

10. Revelation 7 So, the 144,000 probably minister in the second half of the Tribulation following the ministry of the two witnesses in the first half.

11. Revelation 7:2-3 – The sealing of the servants Like Ezek. 9:4-6, the servants of God are marked. They are apparently set apart as those who will be serving the purpose of God in evangelism and those who will be excluded from God’s judgment (9:4).

12. Revelation 7:4-8 The distinctly Jewish character of Revelation becomes more evident here. The 144,000 are presented literally and they are clearly Jewish.

13. Revelation 7:4-8 – the 144,000 They are Jewish males and called “virgins”, either due to their being sexually pure and unmarried or due to their separation from the world. Rev. 14:1-5

14. Revelation 7:4-8 The tribes are different in that the tribe of Dan is replaced by Levi and Joseph (including Ephraim?) and Manasseh are in the list.

15. Revelation 7:4-8 It’s possible this is due to the idolatry of Dan (Judges 18:30; 1 Kings 12:29), though he is part of the land distribution in the Kingdom (Ezek. 48:2)

16. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers These are apparently the result of the ministry of the 144,000 (Mt. 24:14).

17. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers The white robes elsewhere are the result of a believers works (19:8; 3:4-5; 15:16). Here, they may be symbolic of the cleansing of sin they receive from Christ (v. 14)

18. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers The redeemed with palm branches, celebrate the One who is King. John 12:13; Psalm 118:25-26

19. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers Salvation Into eternal life (Eph. 2:1-10) From the Beast (Micah 5:6) From the physical corruption of sin (Rom. 8:21-22; Isaiah 35) From the rebellion of men (Ps. 2:9; Jer. 30:23-24)

20. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers The “great tribulation” is a reference to the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation (Mt. 24:21), the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7).

21. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers The fact that they are now before the throne and have come out of the Tribulation indicates their faithfulness to Christ. Matt. 25:31-46

22. Revelation 7:9-17 – The Gentile believers Having been faithful in such a difficult time, their reward is significant.

23. Rev. 7:15-17 with Isa. 49:8-13 They are close to God and He to them. They serve Him.

24. Rev. 7:15-17 with Isa. 49:8-13 Life is a rich and pleasant experience! All that is sad is forever a thing of the past and God will comfort them!