Rev 7, The sealing of the Jewish tribulation saints prior to the breaking of the seventh seal

• Chapter 7 is a short prelude. One suggested structure
• Chapters 6-9 is the first half
• Chapters 10-14 is the middle
• Chapters 15-19 is the second half


Rev 7:1-8 (ESV) After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
   12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
   12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
   12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
   12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
   12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
   12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
   12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
   12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.



• There are two ways to view the phrase "after this" in this context
• One, it is chronological. But that would not make sense with the fifth seal
• Two, this vision merely follows the preceding vision of the seals (Fruchtenbaum' s position)
• Also, what are we not discussing, that you would expect to be discussing? The seventh seal
• Who are these four angels? These angels are to judge the earth (vs 3-4)
• They are told to wait or hold off, why? Until the sealing of the 144,000
• The four corners suggest that these Jews are called from all over the earth
• The word "seal" is mentioned twice here
• In the first case, an angel from the east possesses a seal of the living God (there are a number of cases in scripture where divine salvation comes from the East)
• A seal had three uses
• A symbol of ownership -- 2 Cor 1:22
• Authentication -- John 16:27
• Protection leading to final salvation -- Eph 1:14; 4:30
• Fruchtenbaum argues that a seal is used for two purposes: service and protection
• Interestingly that there is no mention of the HS. An angel seals them but there is no mention of the Spirit's indwelling through his baptizing ministry. It could be the Spirit acts as it did in the OT and comes upon the saints
• The placement could indicate the last of the 144K come to Christ near the end of the seal judgments with the later picture (7:9-12), the photograph of the results of their ministry at the end of the tribulation period
• The 144K are clearly delineated. Who are they?
• They are Jewish (this is not about the church, this is not about Gentiles, this is a specific program for the Jews)
• The Jews are finally taking the gospel to the world as they were originally intended
• There are twelve tribes listed but one is missing
• The missing tribe is Dan which could be a negative thing (outgrowth of actions in Judges)
• They were to the first to establish idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30)
• Although they do receive a portion of the land in the Millennium (Ezek 48:1-2)
• Or the author could merely be maintaining the symmetry of 12
• Ephraim falls under Joseph (as does Manasseh, but it is still mentioned -- possibly Manasseh faithfulness is honored in contrast to Ephraim's unfaithfulness)
• There are other examples where the symmetry of 12 is maintained and a group is left off
• How do these Jews come to Christ?
• Right now, there is a worldwide messianic movement ongoing
• More Jews than ever are coming to Christ -- but since today's Jews are part of the church and would be removed during the rapture, these Jews are not them -- so who are they?
• These are Jews who have been witnessed to and understand the gospel but did not respond until after the rapture
• APPLICATION: You may be witnessing to a future 144K even if that person does not respond


Rev 7:9-12 (ESV) After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12  saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."



• "After this" also has the same probable meanings
• One, a new vision is starting, but that would leave the previous vision unexplained or hanging, so then this one is integral to understanding the earlier one
• Two, this one follows the other, chronologically, and then it would be a "cause and effect" relationship
• Assuming a causal effect, as a result of the witnessing, there is an innumerable number of new believers
• Included in this group are some from the fifth seal who faced martyrdom for their faith
• In the next section, God specifically speaks to their comfort since these were people who came to Christ and lived through part of the tribulation
• So here is another purpose of the tribulation: a worldwide revival (I believe the other purpose is judgment for sin)
• This is a photograph of the result, a multitude who come to Christ by the end of the tribulation period
• We can assume this because in 7:14 they are identified as the ones coming out of the Great Tribulation (which would be the whole period of time)
• Also, the doxology is a sevenfold ascription to God
• Blessing (ESV) / praise (NIV) -- Grk, eulogia, meaning blessing or praise
• Glory -- Grk, doxa, meaning the honor due him because of his good reputation (delivered them)
• Wisdom -- Grk, sophia, means wisdom; root is rendered wise and similar to saphes meaning clear
• Thanks -- Grk, eucharistia, meaning "well" and "to give freely"
• Honor -- Grk, timee, meaning a value, i.e., money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem
• Power -- Grk, dunamis, reflecting God's omnipotence
• Strength -- Grk, ischus, meaning might or strength


Rev 7:13-17 (ESV) Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" 14 I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
 the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."



• In scripture, when God asks a question, it is not because he is in need of information. In this case, one of the elders asks a question and yet knows the answer, why?
• Not immediately clear, but apparently is trying to make a distinction or he knows what is on John's mind
• They look like anyone who has been saved, white robes and palm branches, but they are not church saints but tribulation saints. They have specifically lived through the tribulation
• If the church is intended to go through the tribulation, then why make a distinction on these as opposed to any who have suffered under the name of Jesus?
• The fact is that the church is already translated and in heaven. They have already been purified, and are not with the groom. The next major event will be the marriage supper of the lamb
• Another interesting idea is the progression
• Six seals broken
• Wait until breaking the last seal
• Seal the Jewish saints
• Show a picture of martyrdom of the tribulation saints (in which case the sealing for protection may not extend to the whole period)
• Share a unique promise to them
• Continue the story
• There is also a sevenfold promise to this group, the tribulation saints (some of these rewards are also promised to church believers in other places, 21:1-5)
• Before the throne
• Serve him
• Never again hunger
• Never again thirst
• Not experience scorching heat
• Will be led to the spring of living water
• Every tear will be wiped away from their eyes
• APPLICATION: So how do we apply this?
• One, our impact in this time can extend into the next age
• Two, while the intent of God is judgment, it is also revival. Even in discipline, God is showing his mercy
• Three, people are important to God. He doesn't need to any of this, but he chooses to do it some that some might be saved

Rev 6, The breaking of the seals

• Seals
• Seals protect a person from something
• Seals protect information from unauthorized persons
• God will put a seal upon certain believers for a time during the tribulation
• God has protected the world from his wrath by sealing up judgment


• "The tribulation is the time when the seals are broken and the protection from God's wrath is removed

The vision in chapters 4–5 is described in 4:1 as “after this,” that is, after the revelation to the seven churches which is described in 1:19 as “what is now,” in contrast to “what will take place later.” Since the scroll in 5:1 is “sealed,” the clear implication is that the seals are broken at a time after chapter 5. All attempts to find fulfillment of the seals in history have failed to yield any uniform interpretation with no two commentators agreeing. Actually there is no sequence in history that clearly corresponds to these events. So it may be concluded that they are yet future. (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 946). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)"



Rev 6:1-2 (ESV) Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.


• The first four events of the tribulation are called the four horsemen of the apocalypse
• Of course the key to understanding this verse is to determine the rider
• How is the rider described? [Jumping ahead, we know the colors and descriptions are important because each is different.]
• White horse
• White usually does refer to righteousness and purity
• But this is not Jesus for reasons that will be clear (description, crown, and context)
• The description does not fit the earlier description of Jesus, nor the later description in the book when he does come on a white horse
• Rev 19:11-15 (ESV) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
• "When men wage war they always pretend to be fighting for righteousness" (Niles)
• As a symbol, a horse has many uses, but the primary usage seems to be war. Additionally, the leaders and commanders sit upon horses
• Crown
• Greek is "stephanos" crown and not "diadem." He has the crown of an overcomer or victor and not the crown of sovereignty or royalty
• The crown is given to him, as if he is expected to be victorious
• The other thought is that he had earned the crown earlier
• In Chapter 19, Jesus will wear the "diadem" crown
• Bow
• He will use weapons of warfare to achieve his objectives
• The bow is a long range weapon as opposed to the sword which is a close-in weapon. Possibly, this person uses stand-off weapons to achieve his objectives without the messy close-in fighting that loses troops on both sides
• He came out conquering and to conquer
• Interestingly, he "came out … and to" does not mean he was successful
• Or, it could mean that he used the threat of war to achieve his objectives
• The other three horseman bring judgment, so why would the first horseman bring relief? The first horseman is judgment too, he is the Antichrist. He starts a righteous crusade that ends poorly
• Most probably the person is the antichrist. Who is he?
• From Dan 9:26, 27, we understand him to be Roman
• Gen 3:15 prophesies the coming of the Messiah and the coming of the antichrist
• Satan uses the antichrist as a counterfeit son and the prophet as a counterfeit holy spirit in his attempt to recreate the trinity


Rev 6:3-4 (ESV) When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.


• The next horseman comes out on a red horse with a large sword
• Red is usually of blood
• To take peace from the earth means war
• The sword suggests close-in fighting which is messy
• One of our events that occurs prior to the Tribulation is a time of peace and security
• 1 Thess 5:1-3 (ESV) Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
• There are three major wars in the Tribulation period. The second seal is the first major war of the tribulation
• APPLICATION: Thank God for times of peace. Pray for peace


Rev 6:5-6 (ESV) When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!"


• This is the third horse.
• What could be the meaning of black?
• The black could symbolize famine (dark days) or the black market (using undercover means to gain food) or disease (black plague) or a combination of all three
• What does the passage say?
• Scales -- inflationary prices or even price controls
• Wheat (considered a good food), a quart will cost a day's wages
• Barley (cheap cattle food), 3 quarts will cost a day's wages
• Do not damage the oil and wine
• Could be a famine that does not affect plants with deeper roots
• Could be a reference to price controls
• Also oil and wine were medicinal, so there was a shortage of food but lots of medicine (Fruchtenbaum)
• The first three events may also be the result of each other
• Strong-handed war mongering
• Results in a bloody war
• Results in famine …
• APPLICATION: Thank God every day for a job and home and food


Rev 6:7-8 (ESV) When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.


• The fourth horse is described as follows:
• It has a name, death
• The color is ashen or pale green (the color of a human corpse)
• Hades followed close behind. Hades claimed the unbelievers immaterial part after death
• Power is given over a fourth of the earth to kill by
• Sword
• Famine
• Pestilence
• Wild beasts -- food must be very scarce
• Today the earth has 7.6 billion people, so one-fourth would represent 1.9 billion people
• This large of a number does suggest some type of nuclear war
• And the aftermath effects (disease, hunger, etc)
• The banking crisis shows how interconnected the world. The food / supply chain is even more interconnected. Any disruption will have a massive effect, especially in the large cities
• APPLICATION: Thank God for food, health, and life

Rev 6:9-11 (ESV) When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. 



• The fifth seal moves to heaven. We are now in a temple with an altar
• These are the people who have died so far in the tribulation
• These are not church saints, since the church has been raptured. Also they would have resurrected bodies
• We also equate this group with the tribulation since they must wait until others of their number are also killed
• Also, this group is not looking for mercy because now is the time for judgment. In many times in Christian history, following the example of Jesus, men have prayed for their persecutors!
• How did these people come to Christ?
• The answer is found in the next chapter, the 144,000
• Also, some may come to Christ as a result of seeing the rapture happen to people they knew or who had witnessed to them
• APPLICATION: Have you told anyone what will happen, so that after you are raptured, they might believe? Could be a witnessing tool -- "if someday I just disappear, along with a great number of others, it will probably be the rapture"


Rev 6:12-17 (ESV) When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14  The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16  calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"



• Scene shifts to earth
• Each series of judgments end with convulsions of nature
• How are the convulsions described
• Great earthquake (it appears to extend across the planet)
• Blackout of sun and a blood moon (first blackout of tribulation)
• Meteor shower
• Not sure, but the rolling up of the sky could be a glimpse into the throne room
• Or it could just represent anarchy on earth
• The result is
• Acknowledgement from the unbeliever that God is behind the events. Not saying that wrath begins at this point but that the unbeliever acknowledges God's wrath
• APPLICATION: If God's wrath against sin is so strong, how do we view our own sin?

Rev 5 Jesus' importance in breaking seals and beginning judgment

Rev 5:1-14 (ESV) Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth."

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.



• Chapter 5 continues the vision in chapter 4. What do we observe?
• The man on the throne is suddenly holding a book or scroll with seven seals. Scroll is full of words, front and back. It is the story of the end times (it is already written)
• A mighty angel (not a weakling and not identified) is calling out for someone worthy to break the seals
1. No one was worthy to open the seals or to read the book
2. No one is good enough
3. And no evil is strong enough (cannot take it out of God's hand)
• John is weeping, why?
• (One idea) The strong desire of human nature to know the future
• One of the elders (who is not identified) comforts John by pointing out Jesus
• The Lion (Second coming description); The first coming was the Lamb of God
• Tribe of Judah
• Root of David
• Triumphed (over death and sin)
• Now the person appears with telltale features. What are they?
• Lamb -- lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world // In his second coming, he will not be a lamb but a lion
• Appearance as if slain -- reference to the cross (death) and resurrection (he is alive now)
• Now standing in the center of the throne (not sure if the other man is gone) or what
• Also surrounded by the four living creatures and 24 elders
• Receives the same honor as God
• Seven horns -- horns were a common OT symbol for power or strength (and kingly authority). Seven stands for completeness. This person has complete authority
• Seven eyes are the seven spirits representing the fullness of the Spirit who works in and through Jesus and individuals
• A new thing happens which by compliment tells us that the 24 elders do other things
• They sing a new song
• The new song references all the people saved
• Talks about them as a kingdom and priests
• It says they will reign on earth (my thought is that this group is the church that is now complete)
• They fall down before Jesus as they fell down before God the Father (with the four living creatures)
• They now have harps (but we are also rulers, intermediaries in some way, and musicians (worshipers))
• They have bowls of incense representing the prayers of the saints
• And now, an innumerable group of angels appear, 100,000,000 (100 Million) at least sing a song
• And then every creature in heaven and earth sang a song
• Not sure I can explain this one
• It could be prophetic
• It may also only refer to all who are able, singing a song
• APPLICATION: New thoughts: Jesus came as a lamb but soon he is returning as a lion. Jesus is the only one worthy in history to open the scroll because he conquered sin, Satan, and death