The Bible Study for Revelation 7 is available online.
An outline can be downloaded here.
Bible Study Revelation 7
the sealed servants of God
After these things: see 6:17
Four angels: the four corners of the earth. Four winds: Four is number of the earth.
Earth, sea, tree: trees mentioned: usually most affected by storms.
Angel from the east: God’s glory from the east. Here: God’s seal!
Do not harm: God’s patience lasts even longer.
Living God: contrast with the dead gods: (Joshua 3:10, 2 Kings 16:4,16, Psalm 42:3, Daniel 4:34, 6:27)
Seal: see Ephesians 1:13: sealed with the Holy Spirit. New Life. See ch. 13:16. Contrast!
Those sealed: the servants of God. See 1:1 : the believers.
144,000: 12X12 : twelve tribes X 12 apostles.
1000: very large number. hard to count. Also: army unit
Numbers 1: Israel counted according to their tribes.
Who are they? Not only the Jews! From all over the earth!
Consider:
- 12X12: twelve tribes, enlarged by the work of the twelve apostles.
- Jews: only from the tribe of Judah and Levi. Where are the other 10 tribes?
- Vs. 3: servants of God: they are the ones sealed. Not limited to certain groups in vs. 3.
- See vs. 9: after this things I looked. John first hears the number, then sees them.
- The tribes mentioned: not the same as in Genesis.
- See also 14:4 : These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes…
List of tribes: different from Genesis. Dan not mentioned. Joseph and Manasseh.
See Psalm 87:5-6!
After these things I looked: John now sees what he heard about in previous verses.
A great multitude which no one could number: Gen., 15:5
Response to 6:17 : Who is able to stand? Those who are sealed, and they are many!
From all nations, tribes, peoples, tongues: see 5:9 : four words: from all over the earth.
All nations: Genesis 10:32; Genesis 12:3; Daniel 3 and 4: Nebuchadnezar ‘to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth’.
Standing before the throne and before the Lamb: clothed with white robes. See 3:5,18, 7:14.
Palm branches: festive. Reminder of feast of booths.
Crying out with a loud voice: Languages no longer divides them. Genesis 11: tower of Babel
the Spirit (seal) unites
11-12
11 All the angels stood around the throne and the
elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne
and worshiped God, 12 saying:
Seven words: heavenly praise. Heaven and earth unite in the praise of God.
Forever and ever: without end, into all directions: infinity in length and width, height and depth.
13-17
Elders: those who have knowledge.
Out of the great tribulation: the great enmity of Gen. 3:15
Before the throne of God: God gathers for Himself a people to His praise: a kingdom of priests to praise Him! Temple, throne: See Exodus 19:6 : a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore, nor sun or heat: see time in the desert. Promised land.
Lamb as Shepherd!
Living fountains of waters: See also the palm branches in vs 9, reference to John 7:37-39: during feast of booths: the Lord Jesus spoke about the fountains of living water.
Wipe away every tear from their eyes: no suffering, no sorrow. No pain. Perfect blessedness.
Questions:
- What is God’s seal in our lives? What distinguishes us from those who belong to the beast?
- What can we expect in this life now that we have the seal of God?
- Vs. 14: The Great Tribulation, the great enmity (Gen. 3:15): do you experience this life as being part of the great tribulation? If so, how?
- Vs. 16-17 : hunger, thirst, heat of the sun: are we still in the desert? (See also Hebrews 4:9-10). If so, do we look forward to entering the promised land?