Max's Weekly Musings
Vol. 9, No. 38, for the week of November 5-11, 2006
Revelation 7
I want to thank those of you who remembered my Mom in prayer as she had surgery to remove a suspicious spot from her lung. The report came back that the tumor was benign for which we give all the praise to the Lord. She had a little set back after the surgery when her lung developed a leak and the air moved up into her neck and face. But, gradually the air seeped away, the leak healed, and she is doing well.
Well, the midterm elections have come and gone. Really not a lot of surprises. The prognosticators were right when they declared that the Democrats would sweep to victories in the House and the Senate. The races were close, in most cases, but the outcomes the same. Now the fun begins. Can the two parties really work together to get some serious things accomplished in the next two years? And, what about the war in Iraq...how will that be resolved? Yet, what I found most interesting as I evaluated the midterm elections this past Tuesday were the conservative ballot-initiatives in many states that passed. Marriage amendments passed with overwhelming majorities in seven states. In one state, Michigan, a ballot-initiative redefining affirmative action was passed. It would appear that the electorate, at least on some issues of morals, is tracking in a more conservative direction. This might be a hopeful sign that both political parties should sit up and notice. Unfortunately, it is the liberals who now control the chairmanships of the various congressional committees. So, time will tell what will happen.
Before we look at Revelation 7, I want to make a passing comment on what happened in Israel this past week. One of those tragedies of war occurred. An Israeli artillery shell missed its target and destroyed a home in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 18 people and wounding dozens of others. We have seen civilians killed in Lebanon last summer and in Iraq on an almost daily basis. Of course the reaction of the world has been of horror and cries for the punishment of Israel. Yes, it was a tragic error, and Israel quickly apologized for its happening. But, if kassam rockets had been fired from Beit Hanoun into Ashkelon and other Israeli communities with the expressed intent of destroying Israeli lives and property, Israeli artillery would not have been firing shells into Beit Hanoun. The Hamas fighters are not stupid. They know, as they shoot their rockets while embedded in a civilian area, that, if Israel retaliates and civilians are killed, the guilt will rest upon Israel. So, we will have a period now of tit-for-tat retaliation. It so reminds me of the story of Samson. It will be interesting to see if the United Nations says anything.
Okay, now back to our study in Revelation. We have come to chapter 7 which we can outline as follows:
I. Sealing of the 144,000 (vs. 1-8)
II. A multitude of praise (vs. 9-12)
III. Who are these? (vs. 13-17)
Friends, these 144,000 are described for us here in Revelation 7 and again in Revelation 14:1-5. Let's look at these two texts.
I. The suspension of God's judgment - Revelation 7:1-3
A. In suspending judgment for a time, God will use angels
B. Winds are symbolic of judgment - Genesis 41:6, 23, 27
C. While the east wind brings the most devastating judgments (Isaiah 27:8; Ezekiel 17:10; Ezekiel 19:12; Hosea 13:15; Jonah 4:8), the east wind also can bring blessing:
1. The Magi came from the east - Matthew 2:1
2. The glory of the Lord is to come from the way of the east - Ezekiel 43:2
3. The Sun of Righteousness will come with healing in His wings - Malachi 4:2
II. What does it mean to be sealed?
A. It is principally a guarantee of ownership and security
B. They are owned by God which means they are a redeemed people
C. They are kept secure by God which means they have physical safety from their enemies on the earth while they are accomplishing their service for the Lord
III. When were these people saved and by whom were they saved?
A. They were saved after the start of the Tribulation, because if they had been saved before its start, they would have been raptured by Christ.
B. They were probably saved during the ministry of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 who worked during the first half of the Tribulation
IV. Why are the tribes of Dan and Ephraim not listed?
A. These were the first two tribes to go into idolatry. The tribe of Dan was the first to have calf-worship in Judges 18 and 1 Kings 12.
B. Ephraim is omitted, and instead Joseph, the father's name is used. The tribe of Ephraim is obviously represented under the name of Joseph, but the name likely is omitted because of the evil report attached to it elsewhere in the Scriptures.
V. Does this mean that Dan will not have a place in God's future plans?
A. Dan is the first tribe mentioned when the millennial land is distributed - Ezekiel 48:1
B. Dan's name is ascribed to one of the eastern gates of Jerusalem during the millennium (remember the east is the side toward the coming of the glory) - Ezekiel 48:32
C. God's grace abounds to the chiefest of sinners. Dan is purified during the Tribulation time
VI. What are the traits of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 15:1-5?
A. They had written on their foreheads the Name of the Lamb, and the Name of His Father. These 144,000 were sealed from the 12 tribes of Israel to be purchased out of the earth to enter into the Millennium. They are not taken to heaven at the end of the Tribulation, but in their physical state, they enter directly into the Millennial Kingdom.
B. This 144,000 could learn and sing the "new song."
C. They had been purchased out of the earth. They will be connected with the Lamb's earthly rule and reign.
D. They have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins.
1. This could mean that these people were never married - Matthew 24:19, 21 (Woe to those pregnant during the Tribulation. These men have avoided putting themselves into that position)
2. This could mean that they were completely separated unto God, not defiled by the love of the world or compromised with sin - 2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 25:1-3 (the emphasis of the ten virgins is not on their sex but on their purity)
E. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
F. They are the first fruits unto God. First fruits always indicate that there is more to follow. Thus, the 144,000 are the first of a great spiritual harvest which will come from Israel - Romans 11:25; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 8:22
G. In their mouth was found no lie - they are without blemish - Zephaniah 3:13; Ezekiel 36:26. Because of their redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are made perfect in Him so there is found no guile or fault in them. They shall be clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Thoughts to Ponder: In the midst of judgment God does send forth His messengers of hope. This time His evangelists are 144,000 from the nation of Israel. Their task is to carry the message of God's love and mercy to a world that is rapidly falling apart. God never lacks for a witness, nor is His hand of mercy every stayed from those who desire to trust Him. The attacks upon believers are intensified, yet countless people come to Christ. The spirit of arrogance of the age does not impact everyone. Even during the days of the tribulation, God calls forth a people to serve Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Great ideas need landing gears as well as wings. (C. D. Jackson)
