Revelation 7, The Sealed Ones

 Revelation 7 The Sealed Ones

What we have learned so far is that the church has been raptured up. John told us what we will see in heaven. Then last week we learned what will happen on earth to those who are left behind. The world is in chaos. The Holy Spirit is still on earth, but he is no longer holding back evil like he did before the rapture. The devil is having a holiday during this. He can now do as he pleases. God grants this because this is his period of judgment upon a Christ rejecting the world. The question is how will the people be saved during the tribulation? John explains that in this chapter. Before the rapture, God used the wind in judgment in way of fire, hail, snow, storms and vapors. (Palms148: 8). Now in the tribulation God holds back the wind. He is still in control. God's purpose is to bring the rest of the world to Him. If He still didn't love those who were left behind, He would shut the earth down and speak it out of existence. But we will see that multitudes will turn to him. When we have struggles in our life we will either turn to God or away from Him. These people that are left behind have hardened their hearts to God. Therefore, God's judgments are harsher than before. This will turn a multitude of people to God. So far, he has four angels holding back the north, South, East and West winds. Then there is a 5^th. angel ordering them not to hurt the earth, sea, and trees until God's servants are sealed in their foreheads. This is an indication that God's judgment is going to get worse, so it is necessary to secure the servants of God. Without the seal, they will not survive. Those who received the seal will be those of the 12 tribes of Israel and the Gentiles. It doesn't say what the seal in their forehead will look like but there will be a great distinction between God's people and those who take the mark of the beast. He promises to shorten the days of His people because the people will not be able to buy and sell unless they have the mark of the beast. God will protect and provide for His servants. He numbered how many Israelites that will be saved but he did not number the Gentiles as they were too numerous to count. There will be more saved during the tribulation than ever before. And now at the end of it all there is a fantastic scene of universal worship of God by his creatures. The church is there, the Old Testament Saints are there, and the tribulation saints are there. And all the angels join in. Now those that went through the tribulation and were redeemed are before the throne of God and are serving God in His temple. Christ is dwelling with them. These people were hungry, thirsty and suffered in the heat. Now they are in heaven and will be fed and given living waters and God will wipe away all their tears. These people are not a part of the church but were people redeemed through the tribulation.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary