Well, do go ahead and turn in your Bibles to Revelation chapter 7.
Before you stand, let me set the context,
and then I'll have you stand for the reading.
Perhaps this is not a book that you're very familiar with,
or maybe you've heard many different things about the book of Revelation,
and it holds a lot of mysteries for you.
But you need to remember, we all need to remember,
that this is a book that was given by God himself to be an unveiling.
An uncovering.
That's what the word apocalypsis or revelation means.
An unveiling.
To make something that was previously unknown to be known to his servants.
So this is a book for you, dear Christian.
It's a book for us.
In fact, it's said this in Revelation 1.1.
It's called the revelation or unveiling of Jesus Christ,
which God gave him to show to his servants the things that soon must take place.
Specifically, we can say that this book is a revelation both from Jesus Christ and about Jesus Christ.
And what is it ultimately about?
Joel Beeky says it this way.
It's the great theme of the victory of Christ and his church over the old serpent,
over his helpers, and over the kingdoms of this world.
So you must remember that this is a book about Jesus Christ, the conquering king.
At the same time, it's important for us to remember that this revelation,
this unveiling comes to us in the mode of visions.
Visions that were given to the apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos.
And he was in the spirit on the Lord's day.
In other words, he was worshiping Christ on the Lord's day.
And Christ came and gave him these visions for the purpose of recording them for his church.
As the last book of Holy Scripture.
The book is structured where it has seven cycles of seven visions.
And we're going to be looking at what can be considered the second cycle this morning.
The first being the vision of the Son of Man and then the seven letters.
So we're going to be looking at the second cycle of seven.
And as we come to this, then what you need to think about this is
we're coming more to like an art museum than you are to a lecture hall.
You know, some books like an epistle,
it's like someone's directly addressing you like you're in a lecture.
But some books like the book of Revelation, because it's visions,
it's like you've come to an art museum.
And sometimes in an art museum, what you find is that
different paintings are grouped together in a room.
And then you have another room with different paintings.
So as I said, there's seven cycles of seven.
It's like we're coming to that second room
with seven different paintings in it or a few more.
And that's what you need to be thinking.
John comes as our tour guide.
And he brings us to the portion or to the room
where there's a collection of paintings about the seven seals.
There's a scroll.
And on it, think of seven wax seals.
Okay.
And that's what we're going to be considering.
There's also, before you get to that,
these exquisite paintings in Revelation 4 and 5.
These visions of the heavenly throne room.
Where you have God on the throne.
Then you have the Lamb as well.
And then these six seals that are first opened.
There's first the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
And then the fifth seal, which is the martyrs in heaven.
And then the sixth, the great day of the coming wrath of God and the Lamb.
But then we're not through.
There's more paintings in this room.
Two more visions that serve as a sort of interlude
between that opening of the sixth seal at the end of chapter six
and the opening of the seventh seal at the beginning of chapter eight.
So what we're focused on is chapter seven.
So please stand.
And hear now the very word of God.
Starting in Revelation chapter seven, verse one.
And we'll read down to Revelation chapter eight, verse one.
This is the infallible, inerrant word of the living God.
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 the earth or the sea or against any tree.
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,
saying, do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees
until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.
And I heard the number of the sealed.
144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel.
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed.
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben.
12,000 from the tribe of Gad.
12,000 from the tribe of Asher.
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali.
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.
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,
and crying out with a loud voice,
Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.
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 worshipped God, saying,
Amen!
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen!
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying,
Who are these clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?
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.
Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple.
He and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more.
The sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
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.
And when the Lamb opened the seventh seal,
there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Amen.
Let's pray together.
Heavenly Father, as we have come once again into Your presence on another Lord's Day
that You have set aside for us to rejoice and be glad in,
we come pleading with You that You would please send Your Spirit in greater measure to us,
send Your Spirit to enlighten all of our hearts,
especially we pray for the hearts of Your children here today,
that we would know what is the hope to which You have called us,
what is the riches of our glorious inheritance in the saints,
and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power towards us who believe.
And Lord, if there are any in this room who do not yet believe,
would today be the day of salvation for them,
that they would come to believe not only that they are great sinners,
but You are an even greater Savior,
and that they would put all their trust in You alone.
Oh, Lord, speak to us through this Your holy word, we pray,
for Christ's sake.
Amen.
Please be seated.
Now, as I said, we're in this second series of visions,
and in this series of visions, the Apostle John first takes us to heaven.
In chapter 4, just to remind you again of context,
John sees God in His glory, seated on the throne,
and He's surrounded by a rainbow.
I have to say, one of the glorious things about our vacation
was we were driving, and we actually saw not just one rainbow,
but a double rainbow.
And quite frankly, I couldn't help but think of Revelation chapter 4,
and the throne of God, surrounded by the rainbow,
showing that He is a covenant God who's faithful to all His covenant promises.
And that's the vision that John sees,
and around the throne there are 24 elders who fall down and worship Him,
and four living creatures all praising Him as the creator of all things.
But then, it's as though the camera,
which is showing this wonderful vision of God
and all those worshiping Him in heaven,
it zooms into the throne,
and it zooms into the right hand of God.
In chapter 5, we find the right hand of God is holding a scroll.
G.K. Beale tells us,
which I believe he's right,
that the scroll is best understood as containing God's plan
of judgment and redemption,
which has been set in motion by Christ's death and resurrection,
but has yet to be completed.
It is that plan from Christ's death, resurrection,
to the ultimate consummation.
For that to be completed,
this scroll must be opened.
Everything that's to take place has already been written,
but now it has to actually take place in space-time history.
You remember chapter 5, there's this great dilemma.
There is John, and he's there,
and he hears an angel crying out,
Who is worthy to take and open this scroll?
And you remember,
search is made in heaven above and earth beneath
and even under the earth,
and no one is found.
And you remember what John does.
He weeps.
Because he knows what this scroll represents.
He knows the only way the consummation of our redemption is going to happen
is if someone is found who is worthy to open the scroll.
And as he is weeping bitter tears,
an angel comes and says,
Weep no more.
Behold the lion of the tribe of Judah.
And John then ceases his weeping.
He's been looking down.
Then all of a sudden,
you remember what happens.
He looks up to see the lion of the tribe of Judah.
But what does he see?
A lamb standing as one who had been slain.
And this is the one who is worthy.
It is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ,
who came as the great sacrifice for his people's sins.
He is now worthy as he enters heaven after his resurrection,
as one who's ascended.
He's worthy to take that scroll
and open its seals.
That's what chapter 5 is telling us.
And you remember,
immediately as he takes the scroll,
there's an eruption of praise.
The 24 elders are singing,
Worthy.
The saints in heaven,
they're singing,
Worthy are you,
who was slain,
to take up the scroll
and open its seals.
Because you were slain,
and by your blood,
you ransomed people for God
from every tribe,
language,
people,
and nation.
And this praise erupts out.
And then in chapter 6,
what happens is,
now the Lamb begins to open those seals.
And as he does so,
what it represents for us,
remember,
this is a vision.
So you must not think of this
in overly literalistic terms.
It's a vision communicating heavenly truth.
Jesus is now able to execute
what God has decreed is to take place.
These seals,
as they're opened,
it's an execution of the decrees of God
from the time of Christ's ascension,
we could say,
until his return.
The first four seals,
as I mentioned before,
are the four horsemen sent by the Lamb
to execute God's judgment on the earth,
even before the final judgment.
That in the period from this time,
from Christ's ascension to his return,
God's wrath is being revealed on the earth.
That's what Romans 1 tells us.
There is a great day of his final wrath,
but his wrath is being revealed today.
You know how his wrath is being revealed?
Some of it is by giving up people
to their sinful desires.
Part of what Romans 1 talks about
is unnatural desires for men
to be inflamed with lust for men,
women for women,
Do we see that in our world today?
And do you realize that
that is the wrath of God
being revealed in the world now?
That's part of the four horsemen going out.
That is Christ executing God's decree
in judgment against those
who refuse to repent.
Of course, at the same time,
there is the white horse that goes out.
There is Christ who goes out
to do what?
To bring in his elect.
Throughout all the periods
of the ages before his return,
he is both executing judgment
and redemption at the same time.
So you have these visions
of what's happening.
And then, of course,
you have the fifth seal is opened.
And this time,
it's what's happening not on earth,
but what's happening in heaven.
And there you have the martyrs
under the altar of God
crying out,
how long, O Lord,
before you will judge
and avenge our blood?
Right now,
all the Christians
who have been martyred
from Stephen forward
are under the throne of God,
as it were,
crying out,
O Lord,
bring ultimate justice.
They're looking forward
to that great day of consummation.
And what does God say?
He says,
not yet.
Rest for a little while longer.
That day will come.
Then comes the sixth seal.
And the sixth and the seventh seal
are representative
of that final great day.
And in the sixth seal,
you remember what's said
is judgment is coming
so much so
that the people
that are there being judged,
they would prefer
that the mountains fall on them.
And you have a good sense
of what mountains look like here.
I'm from the East Coast.
We have, you know,
what you might call hills.
We call them the Appalachian Mountains.
You have the Rocky Mountains.
Could you imagine
the largest of the Rocky Mountains?
You're like,
please cover me
so I don't have to see
the blazing eyes
of the Lamb of God
and His wrath.
That's what's going on
as the sixth seal is opened.
And indeed,
you notice the last couple of verses,
notice chapter 6,
verse 16,
they're 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.
For the great day
of their wrath has come
and who can stand?
That's the question.
Who can stand
before the holy,
holy,
holy God
and live?
it's actually an answer
to this question
that John has given
the two visions
that we find
in Revelation chapter 7.
Two visions
of the church
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Two pictures
that I want you to have
before your mind
all your days
on the earth.
That's what Revelation is for.
See,
it's not so wrong
for us to like images.
Yes,
we're a culture
who loves movies
and those kinds of things.
But let me tell you this,
don't let the images
of the world
captivate your heart and mind.
Let the images
of Scripture
so captivate you
that you can't stop
thinking about these things
and what they mean.
Two visions.
One,
the vision
of the church militant
sealed and secure
on the earth.
That's verses 1 to 8.
I'll say it again.
A vision
of the church militant
sealed and secure
on the earth.
And then the second vision
is a vision
of the church triumphant
standing and serving
in heaven.
So two pictures,
one of the church on earth,
the other of the church
in heaven.
So let's unpack
these visions
and what they mean
for us
and to the glory
of our king.
first then,
a vision of the church militant
sealed and secure
on the earth.
And I want to,
with each of these visions,
ask and answer
three questions.
Okay?
The first question is,
where and when
is this vision
taking place?
Right in verse 1,
we learn
that John sees
four angels
standing on the
four corners
of the
earth.
You can speak,
it's okay.
Earth, right?
So this is a vision
of the church
on earth.
Some visions
that we find
in the book of Revelation
are what's taking place
in heaven.
That's what we said
with the throne room
in Revelation 4 and 5.
Others of what occurs
on the earth.
The first four seals,
the four horsemen,
that's on earth.
Right?
The sixth seal,
that's on earth.
So here is something
that takes place
on earth.
You need to
understand that.
And what's occurring?
Well, what we see is
there are four angels
at the four corners
of the earth,
if you're thinking
of the earth
kind of like a
flat earth.
I'm not a flat earth
conspiracist,
but you know what I'm
saying.
That's the vision here.
Okay?
And these four angels
are restraining,
keeping back
the four winds
from doing what?
From bringing harm.
That's what it says.
Right?
Keep them from
bringing harm.
Verse 2, right?
He could have been
given power to harm
the earth and the sea.
Now what's going on here
is you need to understand
the book of Revelation
is these wonderful
paintings, you could say,
these wonderful pictures,
but the Lord is painting
using the colors
of the Old Testament.
Every verse
of the book of Revelation
is actually dipped
in the paint
of the Old Testament
to paint these pictures.
And what you have here
is an echo
from Zechariah chapter 6
in which it speaks
about four horsemen
that are closely related
to four winds.
And the horsemen
and the winds
are that which are
bringing judgments
on the earth.
So we see these four winds
are related to the four
horsemen of the apocalypse.
And so what this means
is these four winds
are to be seen
as judgments
that will come upon
the earth
throughout the time
of Christ,
between Christ's first coming
and his second coming.
They're pictured here
like winds of a hurricane
bringing destruction
and devastation
upon the earth.
And also then
the final judgment
in which the earth
and the sea
and even the trees,
it says,
will be shaken.
Even the trees.
And so the four winds
here represent
God's judgment.
I don't know
if you've ever
seen a tornado
or you've ever
experienced a hurricane.
It's almost like
there's nothing
that can stand
in its way.
And that's the power,
the image you're
to have in your mind.
And there's these
four angels
that are restraining
this powerful winds
from coming
and bringing
this destruction.
But what happens
to God's people
when God's judgments
are unleashed
on the earth?
And here's where we see
another part
of this vision.
John sees another angel
coming from the east
who calls out
that the judgments
are not to go forth
until what?
God's servants
are sealed
on their foreheads.
That's what he says.
You see it there.
Verse 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
the four angels.
He says,
Do not harm the earth
or the sea
or the trees
until we have sealed
the servants
of our God
on their foreheads.
So before final judgment
comes,
before the ultimate
end and consummation,
all God's servants
will be sealed.
That's what this is saying.
So this is a vision then
of something that takes place
on earth
throughout the church age
in one sense
before the final judgment
of Christ
and his return
as a reminder
that something
must take place.
God's elect people
must be sealed.
Let me just say something.
This is a reminder
to us as well
that the order
in which things
and these visions
take place
is not necessarily
chronological always.
These are visions
teaching us truth
about what's going to happen
or is happening
during this whole age.
But what's the significance?
Here's our second question.
When and where we've said
it's happening on earth
during the period
between Christ's
first and second coming.
The second question is
what is the significance
of being sealed?
What does that mean?
What is the vision
communicating to us?
What's the truth here?
And here you need to think
about what happens
in the ancient world.
Maybe you've watched
a movie
set in the Middle Ages
or even
Reformation time period
and you have
an important document
from the king
and he rolls it up
and then you remember
he's got a candle
over here
and he's got this wax
and he melts the wax
and presses it on there
then takes his signet ring
and presses it in it.
He has sealed it.
Right?
That's the image.
A wax seal
authenticated
by say a signet ring.
That's the kind of idea.
It indicates both
authenticity
and security.
That this document
for example
is truly from the king.
It's authentic.
This decree
that goes forth
is real.
But also security
that it's sealed
and not opened
except by the person
that has the authority
to open it.
So it represents both
authenticity
and security.
Now how does that relate
to us
you and me
as Christians
the idea of having
our foreheads
stamped with this seal?
Well first
being sealed
on the foreheads
as God's servants
means you have
the seal
of authenticity.
God is saying
by this seal
this one
is truly mine.
She
has been adopted
into my family.
She is certified
to be
part of
the people
of God
and the Lamb.
that you are
authentically
one
who belongs
in the family
of God.
You are genuinely
a child
of the King.
This understanding
of the meaning
of the seal
on the forehead
is confirmed
by Revelation
chapter 14
verse 1.
You can turn there
if you like
or just listen.
This is what it says.
Then I looked
and behold
on Mount Zion
stood the Lamb
and with Him
144,000
who had His name
and His Father's name
written on their
foreheads.
Same idea.
The name.
Where is it written?
The same place
as the seal.
On the forehead.
You think about this.
Having a seal
or your name
written on something
is a sign of ownership.
This belongs
to you.
My wife
not too long ago
well long ago
she gave me one
and then it broke
and so she gave me
another one.
But it's one of those
seals that you stamp
your books with
right?
It says
from the library
of John Alexander Miller
right?
And particularly
my sons
they like to stamp
my books for me
right?
And so
when that book
is stamped
it's a seal
saying
it belongs to me.
When God
writes His name
on your forehead
or puts the seal
on your forehead
He's saying
this one belongs
to me
God says.
You are authentically
a child
of the King.
You are owned
by Him.
You belong
to Him.
As Christians
you are those
who bear
the name
of Jesus Christ.
You have
the family name.
Just like a wife
in our
at least tradition
in the U.S.
when she
marries
she takes
her husband's
name.
She now
bears that
name.
The children
bear the
family name.
That's what
is being
communicated
here.
And this
connection
between the
seal
and God's
name
is also
seen in
places like
2 Timothy
chapter 2
verse 19
where it says
this
but God's
firm foundation
stands
bearing this
seal
the Lord
knows
those who
are His.
The seal
is what?
The Lord
knows those
who are His.
You belong
to the Lord.
The next
verse in
parallel
says this
let everyone
who names
the name
of the Lord
depart from
iniquity.
To bear
the seal
is parallel
with bearing
the name.
To having
the name
of Christ
upon you.
Thus to be
sealed
means you
are authenticated
as one who
genuinely belongs
to the Lord
Jesus Christ.
So that's
the first part
authenticity
but the second
part is this
security
security.
This seal
secures
God's people
from the
harm
of God's
judgments.
Before
the winds
are let
go
every one
of God's
elect people
must be
sealed
secured.
This is
reminiscent
of what
we read
earlier
in one sense
but that's
part of
Ezekiel
9 through
11.
Ezekiel
is also
a book
of visions.
The first
vision is
sometimes one
of the most
confusing
visions in
Ezekiel
chapter 1.
It talks
about wheels
within wheels
and going
forward and
backward and
all this.
What's
Ezekiel 1
about?
Let me
just give
you a
simple
explanation.
It is
God on
his war
chariot,
his throne
chariot and
he's coming
to judge
his people.
That's what
Ezekiel 1's
vision is
about.
But there's
another vision
that's given
to Ezekiel
while Ezekiel
is in
Babylon.
It's a
vision of
what's
happening
in Jerusalem
and that's
Ezekiel
8 to
11.
And in
that vision
what he
sees is
all the
idolatry
that's
taking
place.
Here are
God's
people.
They're
to worship
the one
true and
living God
and instead
they're
worshiping
idols.
They're
worshiping
the sun.
They're
worshiping
all these
false
gods even
within the
temple.
The height
of breaking
the commandments
of God.
What's the
first
commandment?
Thou
shall
have no
other
gods
before
me.
You
shall
not
make
for
yourself
any
graven
images.
So on
and so
forth.
They
break
on all
the
commandments
and God
said
when you
break my
covenant
I'm going
to bring
the
covenant
curses
on you
and part
of those
covenant
curses
are going
to be
I am
going
to destroy
that
temple
and I'm
going to
remove
my
presence
from
you.
And
the
vision
is the
vision
of God
coming
to bring
his
judgment
and also
not only
him bringing
his
judgment
but the
glory
of the
Lord
ascending
from the
temple
and leaving
from Jerusalem
and actually
going to be
a sanctuary
for his
true remnant
in Babylon
which is part
of what we
read in
Ezekiel 11.
In
Ezekiel 9
though
there's
this
vision
of one
who's
to go
throughout
the city
of Jerusalem
before
the
judgment
comes
before
the
temple
is
destroyed
and this
is what
it says
pass
through the
city
through
Jerusalem
and put
a mark
on the
foreheads
of the
men
who sigh
and groan
over all
the abominations
that are
committed
in it
and so
after this
angel goes
through
and marks
on the
forehead
those
who
are
grieved
over the
idolatry
because
they
still
love
and
worship
the
Lord
after
them
in
the
vision
what does
Ezekiel
see
the
executioners
are
to
come
and
what
are
they
to
do
it
says
kill
old
men
outright
young
men
maidens
little
children
and
women
but
touch
no
one
on
whom
is
the
mark
do
you
see
the
Lord
is
painting
with
the
paint
from
Ezekiel
9
here
in
Revelation
7
and
he's
saying
those
who
have
been
sealed
who
have
the
mark
on
the
forehead
when
God's
judgment
comes
they're
the
ones
who
are
saved
from
the
harm
of
the
judgments
of
God
doesn't
that
remind
you
of
the
greatest
act
of
redemption
in
the
Old
Testament
the
Passover
where
there
the
blood
of
the
Passover
lamb
is
taken
in
that
bowl
and
the
hyssop
and
you
dip
it
in
and
you
paint
it
on
the
lintels
and
the
doorposts
so
that
when
the
angel
of
death
comes
passes
over
because
they've
been
marked
out
as
the
place
of
safety
a
place
of
security
from
the
coming
wrath
and
judgment
of
God
so
now
this
seal
here
in
Revelation
7
it is
talking
about
the
security
of
God's
people
but
let me
be
clear
it
is
being
secure
from
the
harm
of
God's
judgments
not
from
the
experience
of
them
it
does
not
mean
that
God's
people
will
not
experience
trials
sufferings
and
even
great
tribulation
John
himself
says
that
he
is
one
who's
going
through
tribulation
and
he
was
he
was
exiled
he
was
away
from
the
church
he's
alone
on
an
island
he's
suffering
he
experiences
it
but
he's
secure
from
the
harm
of
it
see
when
judgments
are
unleashed
on
the
earth
Christians
are
not
immune
from
wars
from
famines
from
sickness
from
death
itself
we
do
and
we
will
experience
all
these
things
tribulation
but
as
those
who
are
sealed
God's
people
are
spiritually
protected
we
are
secured
from
the
harm
of
these
things
secure
in
Christ
and
in
fact
you're
secured
!
so
that
you're
enabled
to
go
through
these
tribulations
and
able
to
still
have
faith
in
Christ
so
that
you
can
overcome
that's
what
it's
saying
not
that
you
will
never
go
through
pressures
dangers
difficulties
but
in
the
midst
of
the
pressures
the
influences
dangers
snares
of
the
sinister
world
you
will
not
be
overcome
by
them
you
will
not
be
destroyed
by
them
but
you
will
continue
to
cling
to
Christ
and
be
forever
with
him
ultimately
that's
what
the
picture
of being
sealed
is
about
!
you
will
persevere
you're
secure
in
Christ
isn't
that a
comfort
to your
Christian
that you
if you're
a Christian
here today
you have
been
sealed
and
no
one
not
even
the
devil
himself
can
take
that
seal
from
off
of
your
forehead
so
often
if
you're
like
me
you
look
at
your
own
heart
and
you
realize
that
I'm
a
weak
man
I
have
fear
and
I
even
sometimes
fear
that
I'll
make
a
shipwreck
of
my
faith
and
be
swept
away
but
God
is
the
one
who
comes
to
assure
us
God
is
the
one
who
assures
you
and
he
says
to
you
I
have
sealed
you
and
made
you
secure
you
are
being
guarded
and
kept
by
my
power
not
your
own
through
faith
yes
but
where
does
faith
come
from
it's
a
gift
for
salvation
yes
a
salvation
that's
ready
to be
revealed
at the
last
time
Christ
seals
those
who
belong
to
him
God
has
sealed
you
and
he
will
preserve
you
to
the
end
beloved
as a
Christian
you've
been
sealed
and
no
matter
what
trial
no
matter
what
tribulation
your
faith
as
genuine
faith
will
not
ultimately
fail
but
here's
a third
question
for this
first
vision
but
are
all
Christians
sealed
I
mean
after
all
in the
vision
it's
only
144
thousand
right
144
thousand
are
sealed
!
so
are you
part of
that
or not?
Now
some
take this
number
very
literally
right
you know
certain
cults
for example
the Jehovah's
Witnesses
they limit
the number
to those
who are
believers
who will
spend
eternity
in heaven
and according
to Jehovah's
Witnesses
that number
144,000
was reached
in 1935
so sorry
if you're
Jehovah's
Witness
you're out
of luck
dispensational
Christians
are those
who would
say
that this
is the
number
of
ethnic
Jews
who
convert
to
Christ
after
the
church
has been
raptured
out of
the
world
I'm
just
going
to
tell
you
I
don't
believe
that
that's
not
what's
going
on
in
this
passage
you have
to
understand
these
are
visions
and
visions
in the
book
of
Revelation
when
there's
numbers
these
are
meant
symbolically
they
communicate
truth
but in
a
symbolic
theological
book
of
Revelation
John
takes
Old
Testament
language
and
imagery
about
Israel
and he
applies
it to
what
the
church
of
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
made
up
of
who
believing
Jews
and
believing
Gentiles
who
are
those
who
are
saved
all
who
believe
in
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
are
saved
from
Adam
and
Eve
to
the
last
person
who
saved
Moses
David
all
of
them
they
were
looking
for
who
the
coming
Messiah
!
everyone
Jew
or
Gentile
is
saved
by
faith
in
Jesus
Christ
and
that's
what
this
represents
what's
going on
here
is
this
is
a
language
to
represent
true
Israelites
those
who
believe
in
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
this
understanding
is
confirmed
when
you
recognize
as
you
read
through
this
list
of
the
12
tribes
it's
unlike
any
list
you
find
in
the
Old
Testament
do
you
notice
some
tribes
are
missing
did
you
notice
it's
not
in
the
usual
order
so
take a
few
moments
and
notice
how
it
is
who's
listed
first
Judah
who's
the
firstborn
of
Jacob
though
Reuben
should be
first
he is
in
every
other
list
but
here
it's
Judah
why
because
this
is
not
just
talking
about
physical
ethnic
Israel
this
is
about
those
who
come
from
and
belong
to
Jesus
Christ
Jew
and
Gentile
who
believe
in
him
that's
why
Judah
is
first
he's
the
lion
of
the
tribe
of
Judah
so
Judah
is
first
and
then
you'll
notice
the
sons
of
Jacob's
concubines
are
listed
before
the
sons
of
Jacob's
wives
that's
not
the
usual
order
so
you
have
Gad
Asher
and
Naphtali
before
you
would
have
Simeon
Levi
and
so
forth
why
some
of
this
is
to
symbolize
the
incorporation
of
the
outcasts
the
incorporation
shall we
say
of
the
Gentiles
into
the
very
people
of
God
that's
why
they're
next
and
then
you'll
notice
not only
this
the
tribes
of
Dan
and
Ephraim
are
omitted
they're
not
there
at
all
why
would
Dan
and
Ephraim
be
omitted
from
this
list
what
do
you
know
about
the
city
of
Dan
and
the
city
of
Bethel
shall
we
say
those
are
the
two
cities
where
Jeroboam
placed
the
golden
calves
to
lead
Israel
to
what
idolatry
and
the
point
is
even
if
you're
a
Jew
ethnically
but
you
don't
actually
worship
the
true
God
and
his
Messiah
you're
not
part
of
Dan
and
Ephraim
are
omitted
idolatrous
Jews
are not
part of
the people
of God
idolatrous
Jews
today
are not
the people
of God
only those
who believe
in the
Messiah
the Lord
Jesus
Christ
are truly
the people
of God
and they
are the
ones
who are
sealed
authentic
Christians
so
what
we
have
here
is
the
144
thousand
is
used
to
represent
the
whole
number
of
God's
elect
people
12
12 tribes
of Israel
12
apostles
12 times
12 is
144
times
a thousand
the
fullness
of all
God's
covenant
people
again
from
Adam
and
Eve
to
the
last
person
that
saved
that's
what
this
is
saying
it's
a
reminder
that
not
one
of
God's
elect
people
will
be
lost
but
all
will
be
saved
all
will
be
sealed
for
the
day
of
salvation
and
here's
my
question
for you
this
morning
what
about
you
just
because
you're
in
this
room
and
even
just
because
you
profess
with
your
mouth
that
you're
a
Christian
that
doesn't
necessarily
mean
you
are
have
you
been
sealed
that
is
do
you
actually
believe
that
you
are
a
sinner
worthy
of
eternal
damnation
because
you've
sinned
against
your
maker
the
one
who
has
loved
you
with
an
everlasting
love
just
by
creating
you
deserve
damnation
but he's
offered
salvation
have
you
run
to
Jesus
Christ
the
only
place
of
safety
the
only
one
who
can
save
sinners
from the
coming
wrath
of
God
and
the
Lamb
or
are
you
still
trying to
live
on your
own
righteousness
are you
still
living
in your
own
pretended
world
or are
you
living
according
to the
truth
how is
someone
sealed
it happens
like this
the spirit
of God
comes to
you
and opens
your
and
you
and
you
run
to him
by
faith
and
you
are
given
the
Holy
Spirit
that
the
Holy
Spirit
himself
comes
and
lives
inside
of
you
and
what
is
the
spirit
called
in
Ephesians
chapter
1
verse
13
in
Christ
you
also
when
you
heard
the
word
of
truth
the
gospel
of
your
salvation
and
believed
in
him
you
were
sealed
with
the
promised
Holy
Spirit
who
is
the
what
the
guarantee
security
of our
inheritance
until we
acquire
possession
of it
to the
praise
of
his
glory
this
is
what
it is
the
Holy
Spirit
is
the
seal
you
are
sealed
when
you
are
given
the
Holy
Spirit
and
if
you
have
been
given
the
Spirit
when
you
hear
the
word
of
truth
you
believe
and
the
reality
that
you
have
believed
is
then
publicly
displayed
when you
come to
the
waters
of
baptism
that's
what
baptism
is
baptism
is
baptism
into
the
one
name
of
Father
Son
and
Holy
Spirit
baptism
you could
say
is
when
God
writes
his
name
on
your
forehead
and
says
mine
you
belong
to
me
and
you've
already
been
given
the
Spirit
you've
already
come
to
faith
in
Christ
but
baptism
is
that
public
kind
of
I
call
it
the
betrothal
ceremony
where
you're
betrothed
to
Christ
publicly
looking
forward
to
the
wedding
supper
of
the
Lamb
have
you
joined
the
ranks
of
God's
church
on
earth
the
church
militant
that
fights
not
with
physical
weapons
but
with
spiritual
weapons
by
faith
against
the
world
the
flesh
the
devil
it
is
these
and
only
these
those
who
are
true
Christians
who
are
sealed
that
come
even
now
and
the
great
harm
that
will
come
as
he
will
cast
those
who
do
not
believe
in
him
into
the
lake
of
fire
with
the
devil
and
his
demons
have
you
been
sealed
and
if
so
rejoice
that
you
are
secure
you're
authentic
you're
part
of
even
those
who
are
now
the
glorified
spirits
in
heaven
maybe
you've
heard
of the
hymn
a debtor
to
mercy
alone
it's
one
of
my
favorite
hymns
there's
a line
at the
end
of
that
hymn
where
it
says
more
happy
but
not
more
secure
are
the
glorified
spirits
in
heaven
you
see
right
now
in
heaven
the
Christians
the
saints
who've
died
their
bodies
in
the
earth
somewhere
but
their
soul
is
glorified
in
heaven
and
yes
they're
happier
than
we
are
now
we're
pretty
happy
we
know
the
Lord
but
we
have
lots
of
sorrows
and
difficulties
and
tribulation
on
the
earth
so
it's
right
for
us
to
grieve
now
they're
happier
than
we
are
but
if
you're
a
Christian
they're
not
any
more
secure
than
you
you're
secure
because
you've
been
sealed
with
the
seal
of
God
on
your
forehead
as
we've
thought
about
the
spirits
in
heaven
now
we
must
turn
to
heaven
in
the
second
vision
we've
seen
a
vision
of
the
church
militant
sealed
and
secure
on
earth
now
secondly
it's
a
vision
of
the
church
triumphant
standing
and
serving
in
heaven
and
so
you
see
after
this
verse
nine
so
this
is
now
a
second
vision
a
different
vision
and
we
have
to
ask
and
answer
some
of
the
same
questions
where
and
when
is
this
vision
taking
place
and
clearly
we
are
no
longer
viewing
what
occurs
on
earth
but
what
occurs
where
in
heaven
the
imagery
that
we
find
throughout
this
vision
is
the
same
as
what
we
saw
in
chapters
four
and
they're
singing
they're
singing
to
God
on
the
throne
and
to
the
lamb
and
again
in
this
vision
you
see
the
elders
and
the
four
living
creatures
they're
all
around
the
throne
and
what
are
they
doing
praising
God
and
the
lamb
in
verse
15
plainly
it
tells
us
right
therefore
they
are
where
before
the
throne
of
God
and
serve
him
day
and
night
in
his
temple
this
is
a
vision
of
the
heavenly
temple
the
true
temple
where
God
and
Jesus
the
lamb
and
his
glorified
spirits
they're
all
there
this
is
a
vision
of
that
so
this
vision
is
taking
place
in
heaven
but
the
question
is
when
is
this
vision
taking
place
and
what
we
see
is
there's
this
great
multitude
that
that's
wearing
white
robes
and
they
have
palm
branches
right
palm
branches
and
what we
have to
recognize
from
this
vision
is
that
this
happens
after
God's
servants
have
completed
their
sojourn
on the
earth
after
all
of that
tribulation
has
happened
this
is
what
takes
place
at
the
end
in
that
sense
white
robes
were
mentioned
in the
seven
letters
as one
of the
things
that will
be given
to those
who
overcome
so what we
have here
are a
picture of
those who
have
overcome
they've
been given
the white
robes
they've
come
through
so those
who have
been faithful
to endure
the trials
and tribulations
that they
had to go
through on
the earth
in fact
that's part
of what we
have with
the idea
of the
palm
branches
the palm
branches
again
is paint
we could
say from
the Old
Testament
and the
palm
branches
reminds us
of one
of the
great
feasts
and that
is the
feast
of
tabernacles
every
camper's
delight
right
what they
had to do
is they
had to come
towards
Jerusalem
and instead
of sleeping
in nice
tents
what did
they do
they had
to make
these
shelters
out of
branches
and sleep
in them
why
it was a
reminder
of their
pilgrimage
through the
wilderness
that they
at one
time were
brought
through the
wilderness
into the
promised land
and so the
feast of
tabernacles
is about
God's
protection
of them
and how
he brought
them safely
into the
promised land
so now
holding these
palm branches
and white
robes
it's saying
the same
thing
it's a
commemoration
of how God
protected them
throughout their
wilderness
wandering on
the earth
and now
they're safe
in the
ultimate
promised
land
in heaven
that's
what's
going on
and in
fact
you have
this
question
asked
well
so what
we have
here
let me
say it
this way
is a
picture
of not
the church
militant
fighting
against
the world
the flesh
and the devil
it's a
picture of
the church
triumphant
in heaven
rejoicing
and praising
God and
the lamb
for bringing
them safely
through
now to be
safe with
God forever
so that's
the first
question
right
the when
and the
where
it's in
heaven
when
it's after
going through
tribulation
on earth
the second
question is
who is
this great
multitude
that no one
could number
right that's
what it means
after this I
looked and
behold a
great multitude
that no one
could number
I submit to
you what it
is is the
very same
group of
people symbolized
in the
144,000
but viewed
from a
different
perspective
see the
144,000
is viewed
from the
perspective
of earth
and isn't
that how
the church
seems to
us so
often
it seems
small
I mean
144,000
is a lot
but come
on
I mean
my city
of Macon
is over
144,000
it's
155
or something
like that
Denver
is more
than that
right
and here
is a
church
of maybe
80
seems so
small
and so
few
right
that's
how it
seems
from earth's
perspective
but if you
view the
same thing
from heaven's
perspective
which is
the true
perspective
the church
is a
multitude
that you
could never
number
because it's
made up
of God's
elect
people
through all
time
and all
places
gathered
together now
in one
place
that's
the vision
the elder
comes and
asks the
question
who are
these
right
and of
course
John has
what I
consider
both the
safe and
the wise
answer
you know
I don't
know
but you
know
why don't
you tell
me
always a
great
answer
and what
does he
say
he says
these are
the ones
coming out
of the
tribulation
right
the great
tribulation
now that
phrase
particularly
great
tribulation
is a
phrase from
Daniel
chapter 12
verse 1
and yes
in one
sense
what it
says in
Daniel 12
is it's
what will
occur in
the last
days
what will
occur in
what's called
the end
times
and I have a
news flash for
you we've
been in the
last days
ever since
Christ's first
coming
we're in the
last days
in fact
Peter in his
Pentecost
sermon
you remember
after the
spirit has
fallen
they're
speaking in
other
languages
the glorious
wonderful
deeds of
God
some men
who are
hearing people
speak languages
they don't
understand
go those
guys must
be drunk
and instead
of them being
drunk Peter
stands up and
says let me
explain to you
what's going
on look
it's 9 a.m.
who gets drunk
at 9 a.m.
that's not
what's going
on what's
going on
is what God
prophesied back
in Joel
chapter 2
that God
would pour
out his
spirit
and it's
a sign
ultimately
Peter says
that the
Lord's
Messiah
that you
crucified
has been
exalted
into heaven
and is now
king of kings
and lord of
lords and he's
poured out
this gift of
the spirit
on his
church
but if you
actually notice
when he
quotes from
Joel chapter
2
there in
Acts chapter
2
he changes
some of
the wording
in Joel 2
says after
these things
I will pour
out my
spirit
on all
flesh
Peter
when he
preaches
says
in the
last
days
I will
pour out
my
spirit
on all
flesh
what is
Peter
doing
he's
interpreting
and he's
saying
Joel
prophesied
that
after
these
things
meaning
after
Israel's
return
to
the
land
the
Messiah
has
come
and all
that
I'll
pour
out
my
spirit
and
Peter
saying
that's
happened
and
now
we're
in
the
last
days
the
last
days
signifies
the
fact
that
there
is
no
other
great
act
of
redemption
we're
looking
for
to
accept
the
consummation
there's
nothing
else
in
between
so
the
last
days
began
with
Jesus
coming
so
we're
in the
last
days
tribulation
is now
the
great
tribulation
began
we could
say
and the
reality
is
you see
this
throughout
the
church
age
there
are
those
who
are
Christians
who
have
been
martyred
killed!
and
brothers
and sisters
it's
happening
today
I
already
told
you
about
how
that's
happening
in
Nigeria
you know
of those
even
northern
Africa
other
places
it's
happening
still
because
this is
still
the
great
tribulation
until
Christ
returns
but
when
it's
over
this
is
the
picture
a
vision
of
those
who
have
come
out
of
it
and
it's
not
a
minuscule
number
it's
so
many
people
we
can't
even
count
it
you
see
something
similar
to
what
happened
in
Revelation
chapter
5
you
see
John
hears
about
something
and
then
he
sees
something
that's
slightly
different
he
hears
the
lion
of
the
tribe
of
Judah
he
sees
the
lamb
standing
who
was
slain
and
here
he
hears
notice
what it
says
verse
4
and
I
heard
the
number
144,000
but
when
he
looks
right
verse
9
after
this
I
looked
he
sees
a
multitude
no
one
can
number
the
lion
and
the
lamb
!
we're
referring
to
the
same
thing
Jesus
Christ
the
144,000
and the
multitude
that no
one
can
number
are
referring
to
the
same
thing
all
of
God's
saved
people
so
you see
the same
thing
here
and here's
the amazing
thing
how are they
described
notice this
verse 9
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
you remember
what
the question
was at the
end of
Revelation
chapter 6
who can
stand
before
God
and the
wrath
of the
lamb
these
who
have been
sealed
these
who belong
to Christ
can stand
they can
stand
a great
multitude
sealed
and secured
by God
but here's
the last
question
that we
must ask
and answer
how did
they get
there
and how
are they
enabled
to stand
before the
holy
God
and live
and this
is where
you notice
again
verse 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
that's
hell
you see
they're
not there
primarily
because
they went
through
tribulation
it's not
the suffering
that they
experienced
that
qualified
them to
be
there
nor
are they
there
because
of their
own
blood
right
no
they did
not gain
these
white
robes
through
washing
them
in their
own
sufferings
and blood
no
they have
gained
these
white
robes
because
they're
washed
in the
blood
of the
lamb
!
their hope
is not
in
themselves
not
even
in
their
good
works
their
hope
is
in
the
savior
and
his
good
works
on
their
behalf
that
he
said
I
will
come
and
represent
my
people
I
will
come
and
do
what
they
failed
to
do
they
have
broken
every
one
of
my
commandments
but
I
will
keep
every
one
of
God's
commandments
I
will
love
God
above
all
else
my
father
in
heaven
the
truth
and
love
to
those
that
are
straying
I
will
rebuke
but
I'll
rebuke
in
love
I'll
comfort
I'll
give
myself
for
my
neighbor
greater
love
has
no
man
than
this
that
he
laid
down
his
life
for
his
friends
and
Jesus
did
that
very
thing
and
said
I
will
take
upon
myself
all
the
guilt
all
the
wrath
that
the
sins
of
my
people
deserve
that
they
may
be made
clean
and
white
and
qualified
to
stand
before
God
and
the
Lamb
that's
what
it is
this
is the
only
way
to have
a
white
robe
this
is the
only
way
to
be
enabled
to
stand
before
God
and
the
Lamb
it's
by
coming
to
Jesus
yes
in
all
your
sin
yes
in
all
your
filthiness
and
crying
out
wash
me
Savior
or
I
die
his
blood
is
the
only
fountain
that
can
make
you
clean
the
good
news
is
this
if
you're
here
today
and
you
have
never
come
to
Christ
and
you're
still
in
your
sins
the
good
news
is
that
if
you're
living
right
now
you
still
have
an
opportunity
to
come
to
him
the
fountain
is
still
open
and
today
can
be
the
day
of
your
salvation
so
that
when
the
Lamb
returns
in
all
of
his
fury
!
here's
the
reality
you
don't
know
how
much
longer
you
have
to
live
don't
think
because
you're
15
or
16
you
have
a
long
life
ahead
of
you
don't
know
that
16
year olds
die
don't
think
that
you
can
just
put
this
off
for
several
more
months
oh
I
want
to
do
other
things
I
want
to
sow
my
own
wild
oats
blah
you
don't
know
if
you
have
that
but
today
you
have
been
given
the
opportunity
right
now
to
come
to
Jesus
Christ
so
come
to
him
today
cry
out
to
him
and pray
to
him
and say
!
Lord
save
me
wash
me
seal
me
make
me
clean
and
indeed
you know
the reality
is this
one day
that
final
seventh
seal
will be
opened
that's
what chapter
eight
is about
it talks
about
that
seventh
seal
at the
end
of
every
one
of
these
seven
cycles
the
seventh
of
them
is a
picture
of
the
consummation
from
a
different
angle
and
here
the
seventh
seal
is
opened
and
what
does
it
say
happens
right
after
it's
opened
in
heaven
there
was
silence
for
half
an
hour
think
about
that
right
now
there's
continual
praise
and
singing
that's
going
on
in
heaven
but
when
Jesus
finally
opens
that
seventh
seal
silence
all
singing
all
praising
will
stop
every
hand
will be
placed
over
the
mouth
because
they
know
the
end
is
coming
God
will
bring
about
the
completion
of
both
his
salvation
and
his
judgment
and
that's
where you
have
verse
five
of
chapter
eight
where
it
says
that
an
angel
took
a
censer
and
filled
it
with
fire
from
the
altar
and
threw
it
on
the
earth
and
there
were
peals
of
thunder
rumblings
flashes
of
lightning
and
an
earthquake
which
signifies
the
ultimate
destruction
of all
those
who
refuse
to
repent
and
the
ultimate
salvation
of all
those
who
trust
in
Christ
that
day
is
coming
until
that
day
reformed
heritage
church
until
that
day
you
must
remember
you
must
arise
and be
the
church
militant
you
must
know
that
there
is
a
great
multitude
that
will
believe
even
here
in
Denver
as
hard
as that
is to
believe
and
your
job
is to
pray
and to
preach
and to
trust
the
Lord
and to
labor
as long
as he
gives
you
breath
and
life
in
this
world
so
be
the
church
militant
you
are
sealed
you
are
secure
you
can
stand
do
not
fear
the
enemy
do
not
shrink
back
but
take
every
opportunity
the
Lord
gives
you
whether
it's
at
school
at
work
with
your
neighbor
speak
the
gospel
this
is
the
means
and
pray
for
the
Lord
to
be
faithful
to
save
his
people
because
he
will
be
yes
when
he
opens
that
seventh
seal
there will
be
silence
for
half
an
hour
but
until
then
don't
be
silent
but
preach
the
gospel
of
your
glorious
savior
the
lamb
of
God
slain
that
you
may
stand
before
him
forever
amen
let's
pray
heavenly
father
we come
to you
once
again
amazed
at
your
word
and
how
rich
it
is
how
a
vision
that
can
seem
strange
to
us
or
difficult
to
understand
by
your
spirit
you
can
make
it
clear
and
plain
lord
we
thank
you
for
these
visions
of
your
church
visions
of
your
work
in
us
and
through
us
and
ultimately
your
work
to
bring
honor
and
glory
to
yourself
we
do
worship
you
and
adore
you
we
ask
that
you
would
help
us
to
remember
these
things
and
to
live
according
to
them
that
your
word
would
guide
us
and
direct
us
you
are
the
good
shepherd
and
that
you
would
lead
us
safely
all
the
way
home
that
all
glory
and
honor
!
go
to
you
!
I
pray
in