Receiving God s Salvation. The Faithful are Rewarded. Revelation 7:1-17

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Receiving God s Salvation The Faithful are Rewarded Revelation 7:1-17

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 Text: Revelation 7:1-17, Receiving God s Salvation The Faithful Are Rewarded 1. After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3. saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond servants of our God on their foreheads." 4. And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 5. from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6. From the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7. from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8. from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed. 9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10. and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11. 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 worshiped God, 12. saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13. Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?" 14. I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15. "For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16. "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17. for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." (NASV) Introduction: I. Revelation contains three visions depicting the future from John s time in A.D. 95-96 to the consummation of the kingdom of God. A. Within these visions there is a recurrence of the number seven (7) as:... 1. seven seals. (6:1 8:1).

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 2. seven trumpets (8:2 11:19). 3. seven bowls of wrath (15:1-16:21) B. Between the sixth and seventh elements in each series John places an interlude. 1. Revelation 7:1-17, 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. 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, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (AKJV) 2. Revelation 10:1 11:14, And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write:

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 6 and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 7 their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. (AKJV) 3. Revelation 16:15, Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (AKJV) B. These interludes:...

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 8 Commentary: 1. build suspense in regard to what will follow. 2. draw sharp distinctions between Christians and non- Christians. 3. encourage readers to view their present circumstances in light of what God will do in the future. a. This enables suffering Christians to place their tribulations in God s overall scheme of things. b. This first interlude answers the question (6:17), for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? (NRSV) I. After what was presented in Chapter 6, John saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth. II. These four angels held back the four winds so that no wind would blow on the earth or sea or any tree to do harm. A. This is a most comforting scene especially after the events associated with the opening of the sixth seal. B. Be assured that the angels under orders of God the Father hold back the destructive winds that afflict faithful Christians. C. All of us are well acquainted with destructive winds, literal and spiritual.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 9 III. John saw another angel ascending from the east, from the rising of the sun. IV. This angel had the seal of the living God. V. This angel cried aloud to the four angels to whom had been given permission to harm the earth and sea. VI. This angel ordered the four angels, Do not harm the earth, sea or trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads. (NASB) A. Song of Solomon 8:6, "Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the Lord. (NASB) B. Ezekiel 9:4, The Lord said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst." (NASB) C. 2 Corinthians 1:22, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. (NASB) D. Ephesians 1:13, In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (NASB) E. Ephesians 4:30, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NASB)

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 10 VII. A total of 144,000 were sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel, Jacob. A. These 144,000 represent the totality of Christ s church, the Israel of God. B. The 144,000 are one and the same as the unnumbered multitude of 7:9, After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; (NASB) VIII. Twelve thousand were sealed from each of the following tribes: A. Judah. B. Reuben. C. Gad. D. Asher. E. Naphtali. F. Manasseh. G. Simeon. H. Levi. I. Issachar. J. Zebulun.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 11 K. Joseph (Ephraim). L. Benjamin. Question: Why was Dan not included in this list? IX. After these things John looked and beheld a great multitude which no one could count. A. The scene now moves from earth to heaven. B. Scriptures: 1. Genesis 12:2, 3, And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (NASB) 2. Genesis 13:16, "I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. (NASB) 3. Genesis 15:5, And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." (NASB) 4. Genesis 26:4, "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 12 these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; (NASB) 5. Genesis 28:14, "Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (NASB) X. The people making up this multitude came from:... A. every nation. B. all tribes. C. all people. D. all tongues. XI. This unnumbered multitude was seen standing before the throne and before the lamb. XII. The multitudes were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. A. Palm branches were symbols of celebration and victory. B. White robes were indicative of cleansing and purity. C. John 12:13, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel." (NASB)

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 13 D. Leviticus 23:40, Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. (NASB) E. Nothing that comes upon us between now and eternity can separate us from the love of God. (NASB) 1. Romans 8:39, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB) F. This saved multitude wore the right clothes. 1. Matthew 22:11,12, But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. (NASB) 2. Revelation 3:4, 5, 18, But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. (NASB) XIII. The great multitude shouted aloud, Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 14 A. This song was not sung before the throne of Rome, but before the throne of God in heaven. XIV. All the angels were standing around the throne with: A. the twenty-four elders. B. the four living creatures. XV. All these angels fell on their faces and worshiped God. XVI. These angels said:... A. Amen. B. Blessing. C. Glory. D. Wisdom. E. Thanksgiving. F. Honor. G. Power. H. Might. be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 15 XVII. One of the elders said to John,... A. Who are these who are clothed in white robes? B. Where did they come from? XVIII. John responded to the elder that he did not know, but stated with assurance his conviction that the elder knew the answer to the question he had just asked. XIX. The elder answered, These are the ones who have... A. come out of the great tribulation (ordeal),... B. washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. C. Daniel 12:1, "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. (NASB) D. Mark 13:19, "For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. (NASB) XX. For these reasons, as just specified, the unnumbered host from every nation under heaven,... A. stand before the throne of God. B. serve God day and night in his temple.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 16 XXI. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. A. God cares for his own! B. Psalm 23:1-6, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (NASB) C. Isaiah 49:10, 11, "They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them And will guide them to springs of water. "I will make all My mountains a road, And My highways will be raised up. (NASB) D. Ezekiel 34:23, "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. (NASB) XXII. These redeemed of earth will:... A. hunger no longer. 1. Luke 6:21, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. (NASB)

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 17 B. thirst no more. 1. Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (NASB) C. will not bear the burning heat of the sun. XXIII. Why? Because... A. the sacrificial Lamb in the center of the throne will now be their shepherd B. and will guide them to springs of the water of life. C. God will wipe every tear from their eyes What Does All This Mean? I. Chapter 7 is an interlude in the on-going series of events. A. This interlude is placed between the sixth and seventh seals. B. The purpose of this interlude is to show the preparedness of the church to face the terrible afflictions which were to come upon it. II. The idea of the earth s having four corners from which four winds blew is a familiar figure in the Old Testament. A. Isaiah 11:12, And He will lift up a standard for the nations And assemble the banished ones of Israel, And will gather the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. (NASB)

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 18 B. Ezekiel 7:2, And you, son of man, thus says the Lord God to the land of Israel, An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land. (NASB) C. Zechariah 2:6, "Ho there! Flee from the land of the north," declares the Lord, "for I have dispersed you as the four winds of the heavens," declares the Lord. (NASB) D. Daniel 7:2, Daniel said, "I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. (NASB) E. Daniel 8:8, Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. (NASB) F. Daniel 11:4, But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded, for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them. (NASB) III. The four winds appear to be another symbol for the four horsemen of the first four seals. A. Revelation/Apocalypse uses many of Zechariah s figures. 1. Zechariah 6:5, The angel replied to me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth, (NASB) B. The winds are also said to be God s avenging spirits.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 19 1. Isaiah 19:1, The oracle concerning Egypt, Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt; The idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, And the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. (NASB) 2. Isaiah 66:15, For behold, the Lord will come in fire And His chariots like the whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. (NASB) 3. Psalm 18:10, He rode upon a cherub and flew; And He sped upon the wings of the wind. (NASB) 4. Psalm 104:3, He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; (NASB) 5. Jeremiah 4:11-13, In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, "A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness in the direction of the daughter of My people - not to winnow and not to cleanse, a wind too strong for this - will come at My command; now I will also pronounce judgments against them. "Behold, he goes up like clouds, And his chariots like the whirlwind; His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!" (NASB) 6. Jeremiah 23:19, "Behold, the storm of the Lord has gone forth in wrath, Even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the wicked. (NASB) IV. The earth, sea and trees are protected for a while from the destructive four winds.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 20 A. The servants have been sealed, have had a mark of identity placed upon their foreheads. 1. Ezekiel 9:4, 6,The Lord said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst." "Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary." So they started with the elders who were before the temple. (NASB) 2. Martyred saints are here said to be protected. V. The number of the sealed was 144,000 taken from every tribe of the children of Israel. A. The 144,000 represent the whole church as spiritual Israel. B. Christian disciples are known as the Israel of God. 1. Philippians 3:3, for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, (NASB) 2. Revelation 21:12-14, It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 21 them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (NASB) C. The 144,000 here may be identical with the 144,000 of Revelation 14:1, the army of the Lord on Mt. Zion. VI. The great unnumbered host represents the faithful of all ages. A. Salvation is tantamount to victory. VII. John s central theological theme in the Book of Revelation is the sovereignty of God, the ultimate power in the universe. A. God cares for the world and seeks to provide for all health, wholeness, peace, security and salvation. B. He warns that judgment will fall on those who oppose his purpose. C. God s faithful will ultimately be victorious over all the afflictions faced in this world. VIII. Seals were clay or wax images stamped on scrolls or other documents to signify ownership and to protect contents. A. God s seal was stamped on the foreheads of the redeemed to signify that they belonged to God and that his protection was over them. (NASB) B. Genesis 4:15, So the Lord said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. (NASB)

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 22 C. Exodus 12:1-28, And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 23 ever. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 24 shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. (AKJV) IX. In the ancient world both 10 and 12 were symbols of completeness. A. The number 144,000 are multiples of 10 and 12. B. Some believe these 144,000 represent all Christian martyrs. X. What trouble do you now face that will be no more once we get to heaven? What is your greatest present ordeal?... worry? Conclusion: I. Who then will be among the 144,000, the unnumbered multitude to be eternally blessed? A. The bond-servants of God. B. Those who have been sealed on their foreheads, in their minds. C. Those dressed in white robes washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. D. Those who worship God. E. Those who remain faithful in tribulation, persecution. II. Are you among the 144,000, the unnumbered multitude of the redeemed of earth?

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 25 Bibliography Adult Bible Studies, Spring, 2004, Cokesbury, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN 37202-0801. Adult Bible Studies, Teacher, Spring, 2004, Cokesbury, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN 37202-0801. Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition, Foundation Publications Inc., Anaheim, California 92816. The College Press, NIV Commentary, Revelation, Christopher A. Davis, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri, 2000. The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, International Sunday School Lesson, 2003-2004, Standard Publishing Company, a division of Standex International Corporation, 8121 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231.

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 26 Questions on Revelation 7:1-17 1. contains depicting the from s time in 95-96 A.D. to the of the of. 2. Within these visions there is a recurrence of the ; viz.,,, and of. 3. Between the and elements in each series John places an. 4. What are the purposes of interludes in Revelation? 5. After what was presented in chapter 6, what did John see and what was the purpose of the vision John saw?

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 27 6. How many were sealed? Who was sealed? Why was Dan not included in this list? Who are literally represented by those sealed? 7. Who is represented by the great multitude no one could count? 8. Where was the unnumbered multitude standing, how were the multitudes clothed and what did they hold in their hands? What was the signification of all this?

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 28 9. The aloud, to our who on the, and to the. This was not before the of, but the of in. 10. The angel said,,,,,,,, and be to our and.. 11. Who were those who were clothed in white robes? 12. The of will, and will not the head of the. 13. Chapter 7 is an interlude. What is the purpose of this interlude?

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 29 14. What do you make of the numerous references in the Bible to the four corners of the earth? 15. What is the significance of the four winds of Revelation, Zechariah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and the Psalms? 16. What was the purpose of seals in the ancient Jewish world? What is the seal on the foreheads of God s servants and what does it signify? 17. What is the central theological theme in Revelation?

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 30 18. cares for the and for all,,, and. He warns that will on those who his. 19. What troubles do you now face that will be no more when you get to heaven? 20. Are you among the 144,000 and/or unnumbered multitude of earth s redeemed? How do you know?