REVELATION LESSON 7

REVELATION

LESSON 7

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

REVELATION 7:1   7 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.

Chapter seven verse one says, after these things, he is speaking of the first six seals that have been open in chapter 6. The four angels will stand at the earths four corners to prevent any wind from blowing.

This does not mean that the world will become square, its simply symbolic expression meaning the four angels will be standing at the four points, north, south, east and west.

They will control the winds of the Earth. Without these angels, the airborne plagues from the previous six seals would spread around the world.

Just when all hope seems lost, these four angels hold back the four winds of judgement until Gods people (the ones who have accepted Jesus as savior) are sealed as his own. Only then will God open up the seventh seal.

The bible clearly teaches that God controls all things. The good winds and the bad. The trade winds, the hurricanes, the tornados, and everything else. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in the Earth, in the seas and in all the deep places.

Psalms 135:6-7   ⁶ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

⁷ He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

Everything He does is for a reason. Fulfilling his word, as he always does.

Revelation 7:2-3   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,

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

Christians have always believed in angels. It would be impossible to believe the bible without believing in angels. They play a big role in Gods plan for mankind. This is especially true of the stories about Jesus and the judgements of Revelation.

Angels are divided into different categories or ranks. Some rank higher than others. We do not know who this angel from the east is. But we do know that he will have authority over the other four angels.

The four angels will have power to harm the earth and sea. Just before they unleash their great power, the angel from the east will intercede with a loud voice to stop them. He will have the seal of the living God in his hand, it will be used to mark a group of special people.

God places His own seal on his followers. Identifying them as His own and guaranteeing his protection over their souls. This shows how valuable we are to him. Nothing can harm our souls when we are sealed by God.

Ephesians 1:13   ¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly realm, means that in Christ Jesus we have all the benefits of knowing God.

The four angels will be commanded to hold back their destruction forces until Gods servants can be sealed. Nothing will happen to the land, sea and trees until these special people are protected.

The bible does not say what the seal will be, we are only told that these believers will be protected by some type of mark. Since the beginning of creation, God has been marking his people. Gods mark will be placed on their foreheads. It will be an actual mark that will show others that these are Gods people.

Revelation 7:4-8   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.

⁵ Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

⁶ Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

⁷ Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

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.

God will seal 144,000 of his servants. They will not come from the church or any particular denomination. Instead they will come for the twelve tries of Israel. God will call these Jews and supernaturally protect them from the antichrist and his followers. For the primary purpose of winning multitudes to Jesus.

This is a different list from the usual listing of the twelve tribes in the old testament, because it is a symbolic list of Gods true followers.

Revelation 7:9   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;

Once God has sealed his 144,000, the whole world will hear His message. Multitudes will believe and be saved. The antichrist and his false prophet will be furious and try to stop the revival by forcing new believers to turn away from their faith. They will deny people food and medicine. Executions will be frequent and numerous. The number of martyrs will be more than any man can count.

These martyrs will be given white robes symbolizing the righteousness of Jesus. They will stand in the presence of Jesus before the throne of God. No true believer ever needs to worry about which group he or she will be in. God protects each of us, and we are guaranteed a place in his presence.

This is further evidence that the believer’s knowledge will be greatly improved in Heaven.

Until the next lesson;

Romans 10:9-10   ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.