Revelation 7

1 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.

 

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.

 

 

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....

  

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;

 

 

 

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

 

 

 

11 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,

 

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 

 

 

 

14 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.

 

 

 15 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.

 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither* shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

 

 

17 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.

 

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Timeline of Events in Revelation 7

This chapter focuses on a single, visionary event rather than a sequence of events. Therefore, a traditional timeline format is not applicable. Instead, we can break down the event into a series of key moments:

1. Four Angels Hold Back the Winds: Four angels stand at the corners of the earth, restraining destructive winds from harming the earth, sea, and trees.
2. Fifth Angel Arrives: An angel ascends from the east, bearing the seal of God. This angel commands the four angels to wait until God's servants are marked.
3. 144,000 Sealed: 144,000 individuals, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, are marked with God's seal.
4. Great Multitude Appears: A vast multitude of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue assembles before the throne of God and the Lamb. They are clothed in white robes and hold palm branches.
5. Praise for God and the Lamb: The multitude cries out, praising God and the Lamb for salvation.
6. Angels Worship: All the angels join in worshiping God.
7. Elder Explains the Multitude: An elder explains to John that the multitude comprises those who have endured great tribulation and have been purified by the blood of the Lamb.
8. Eternal Reward Described: The elder details the eternal rewards for the redeemed multitude: dwelling with God, freedom from hunger and thirst, protection from the elements, and eternal joy.

Cast of Characters in Revelation 7

1. The Angel with the Seal of God:

• Description: An angel ascending from the east, carrying God's seal.
• Significance: This angel's role is to command the four angels and oversee the sealing of God's servants. He represents divine authority and protection.

2. The Four Angels:

• Description: Powerful angels stationed at the four corners of the earth.
• Significance: These angels control the destructive winds, symbolizing God's power over nature and judgment. Their restraint shows God's mercy and his plan to preserve his faithful followers.

3. The 144,000 Sealed:

• Description: A symbolic number representing the total of those sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel.
• Significance: The 144,000 represent those chosen by God for a special purpose and protection during the end times. They are often interpreted as a representation of the faithful remnant of God's people.

4. The Great Multitude:

• Description: A vast, uncountable group of people from all nations and backgrounds.
• Significance: They represent all those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and have remained faithful through tribulation. They symbolize the universality of God's salvation, extending beyond Israel to all humanity.

5. The Lamb:

• Description: A symbolic representation of Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed like a lamb.
• Significance: The Lamb is central to the scene, representing Christ's sacrifice as the source of salvation and the object of worship and praise.

6. The Angels Around the Throne:

• Description: Angelic beings surrounding God's throne.
• Significance: They represent the heavenly hosts and join in praising God, highlighting the cosmic scope of worship.

7. The Elder:

• Description: One of the twenty-four elders surrounding God's throne.
• Significance: He acts as a guide for John, explaining the identity and significance of the great multitude and providing insight into God's plan.

8. John:

• Description: The author of the book of Revelation, receiving this vision.
• Significance: John acts as the reader's surrogate, witnessing and recording these events for future generations of believers.

The Saved in Revelation 7

Revelation 7 highlights several key aspects of salvation and portrays the characteristics of those who are saved:

• Salvation is linked with God's seal. The 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel are marked with God's seal for protection before a time of tribulation on earth. This act of sealing signifies their chosen status and security in God's plan.
• Salvation encompasses a multitude beyond Israel. A vast, uncountable multitude from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" are also depicted before God's throne. This emphasizes that salvation extends beyond the Jewish people to include Gentiles from every corner of the earth.
• The saved are those who endure tribulation. They are described as having "come out of great tribulation" , implying they faced hardship and persecution for their faith.
• The saved are cleansed by Christ's sacrifice. Their robes are made "white in the blood of the Lamb," signifying that their sins are forgiven and they are made pure through Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice .
• The saved experience God's presence and provision. They are before God's throne, worshiping Him and experiencing His comfort and care. They are freed from hunger, thirst, and suffering .
• The saved serve God eternally. They serve God "day and night in his temple" , indicating their ongoing worship and service in God's presence.

In summary, Revelation 7 reveals that salvation is a gift from God, available to people from all nations who endure hardship, have their sins cleansed by Christ, and live in eternal fellowship and service to God.

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 The four angels in Revelation 7 are preventing destructive winds from harming the earth. The passage states that the angels are "holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." This action suggests a divine purpose in delaying a period of judgment and destruction, allowing time for the sealing of God's servants.

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 Revelation 7 states that 12,000 people are sealed from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This means a total of 144,000 individuals from the tribes of Israel are sealed. The passage lists each tribe and specifies that 12,000 are sealed from each one.

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The Lamb's Care in Revelation 7

The Lamb in Revelation 7 provides nourishment, guidance, and comfort to those who are sealed, which includes the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel.

• The Lamb feeds them. Revelation 7:17 states that "the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them." This signifies the Lamb's role in providing spiritual sustenance and nourishment to the redeemed.
• The Lamb leads them to living fountains of waters. This act, described in the same verse, symbolizes guidance, refreshment, and an abundance of spiritual blessings that the Lamb offers to those He cares for.
• God wipes away their tears. While this action is attributed to God, it occurs in the context of the Lamb's care for the redeemed. This emphasizes the comfort, solace, and healing that those who are sealed receive in God's presence.

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While the sources describe the Lamb's actions towards those who are sealed, they don't explicitly state what the Lamb does for those who are not sealed in Revelation 7.

However, the sources do say that 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". This multitude is distinct from the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel. This unnumbered multitude is also described as those who "came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" .

Therefore, we can infer that this multitude benefits from the Lamb's sacrifice, as their robes are cleansed "in the blood of the Lamb" .

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 Experiences of Those in White Robes

The individuals arrayed in white robes in Revelation 7 are said to have experienced several things, signifying their status as redeemed followers of God:

They have come out of great tribulation. The source states, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb". This indicates that they have endured a period of intense hardship and persecution for their faith.

 

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. This imagery symbolizes forgiveness and cleansing from sin through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. It suggests that they have accepted Christ's atonement and have been purified as a result.

They stand before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. This signifies their eternal fellowship with God and their ongoing worship and service in His presence.

They are free from hunger, thirst, and the scorching heat of the sun. Revelation 7:16-17 states that "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat". This imagery depicts a state of complete provision and protection in God's presence, where they are no longer subject to earthly suffering.

God wipes away all tears from their eyes. This signifies the ultimate comfort, healing, and restoration that they experience in God's presence, free from sorrow and pain.

It is important to note that while the source doesn't explicitly state whether these individuals were part of the sealed 144,000, the passage suggests they are a distinct group. They are described as a "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues," setting them apart from the specific group of 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel.

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 The Lamb as Shepherd

According to Revelation 7:17, the Lamb, who is in the midst of God's throne, feeds those in white robes. This act is mentioned alongside the Lamb leading them to living fountains of water and God wiping away their tears, all pointing towards the care and provision these individuals receive in God's presence.

It's noteworthy that the term "feed" can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. While the source doesn't specify what the Lamb feeds them, it likely alludes to spiritual nourishment and sustenance, especially considering the symbolic nature of Revelation.

Remember, this interpretation is based on my understanding of the provided source and your previous queries.

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 According to Revelation 7:9, the individuals in white robes are said to carry palms in their hands.

Let's consider the context:

• A multitude before the throne: This verse describes a "great multitude, which no man could number," standing before the throne of God and the Lamb. This multitude is distinct from the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel mentioned earlier in the chapter.
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• Symbols of victory and rejoicing: Palms are often associated with victory, triumph, and peace. In the Bible, they are frequently used symbolically, particularly in contexts of celebration and rejoicing. For example, people used palm branches to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, recognizing him as the Messiah.
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• The context of Revelation 7: The individuals in this scene have "come out of great tribulation" and have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. They are described as praising God and the Lamb, indicating a state of joy and victory.

Therefore, the palms in their hands likely symbolize the victory they have achieved through their faith in the Lamb, their deliverance from tribulation, and their joyous worship in God's presence.

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Serving Day and Night in God's Presence

While the sources don't explicitly state why those in white robes can serve God day and night, they offer clues through descriptions of their state of being:

• Freedom from earthly limitations: Revelation 7:16 states that "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." This suggests that they are no longer bound by basic human needs and the physical limitations of the earthly realm. This liberation could be one reason why they can serve God continuously.
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• Sustained by the Lamb: The source highlights that "the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters" (Revelation 7:17). This constant spiritual nourishment and guidance from the Lamb could empower them for perpetual service.
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• Residing in God's presence: The individuals in white robes are depicted as standing before God's throne (Revelation 7:9), indicating their dwelling within God's eternal realm. This constant proximity to God could provide the strength and motivation for unceasing worship and service.

Therefore, their ability to serve day and night might stem from their transformed existence, free from earthly constraints, sustained by the Lamb, and immersed in God's presence.

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