Revelation 7 is an interesting backdrop of information for the “Great Tribulation” period of time. It reveals to us the mysteries of the 144,000 Israelis and even the salvation of Gentiles. We will do a deep dive into this chapter in three studies and continue to refer back to this study when the Book of Revelation mentions the 144,000.
There are many misconceptions people have about this chapter in particular. Including different cults throughout the decades. One popular misconception among Christians churches is that this chapter only addresses the salvation plan of God to Jews/Israelis only, and does not mention salvation for Gentiles. Thus, you have heard on the pulpits of America, ‘that after the rapture, it will be too late for Gentiles to be saved because there will be no church body to preach the Gospel message of salvation of Jesus Christ from.’ This misconception is a lie!
Revelation chapter 7 actually addresses salvation to both Israelis and Gentile during the “Great Tribulation” period. In fact, according to the Holy Bible, without the continued salvation of the Gentiles, Israelis cannot be saved. Here’s the reason why. The Holy Spirit of God revealed a powerful mystery through the Apostle Paul concerning the salvation of Israel in the Second Advent of Christ,
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in
When will the fullness of salvation for Gentiles come in? Remember in Revelation 6:9-11, when the persecuted from the church age and in the Great tribulation period had asked the question, “How long O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” And God answered them,“Rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” The Book of Revelation answers that question in Revelation 19:2. Which points to the destruction of Babylon in Revelation 17-18 at the Second advent of Jesus Christ. And so, all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,
Romans 11:26-27 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, Therefore shall come out of Sion the Deliverer (that is: Jesus Christ), and shall turn away ungodliness from JacobTherefore shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. For this is My covenant unto them, when I take away their sins.
And this Prophecy of Jesus Christ’s points to the second advent of Christ to save Israel. This furthers our understanding why Jesus Christ taught about the lost sheep of Israel, being saved last, while the Gentile are saved first through Himself. This truth absolutely resonates throughout the Holy Bible, especially through the Book of Revelation.
And so, anyone who preaches the false gospel that, ‘Gentiles can no longer be saved after the rapture because they were rejected by God forever. And The Holy Spirit of God has been removed from the earth.’ May the blood of every Gentile be on the hands of all Pastors, Teachers, Evangelist, Prophets and lay-ministers that preach such lies and nonsense. Because again, in this chapter, it does reveal that salvation will continue to happen among Gentiles as well as the Israelis throughout the “Great Tribulation” period.
A Quick Highlight of Chapter 7
According to the visions of God shown to the Apostle John, this chapter mentions the 144,000 Jews/Hebrews/Israeli’s. That’s 12,000 from each tribe of Israel. And they receive a special mark of God on their foreheads. And all this happens after the rapture, but before Jesus Christ breaks the 7th seal in order for the Great Tribulation period to begin.
But it doesn’t stop there. As you read on, you also see in the visions of God as John saw it, revealing Gentiles standing before God in His throne room in Heaven. Clothed in the garments of salvation, with palms in their hands, worshiping God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ). Which answers the question that these are multitudes of Messianic Jews and Christian Gentiles from every nation that came out of Great Tribulation.
And that’s the complete context of Revelation 7, setting up the chapters in the Book of Revelation pertaining to the Great Tribulation period. This is important to know because it answers another question people are confused about, and that is, “who are the saints?” So in the next three studies, we will dive deep into Revelation (chapter) 7. Because it reveals 2 groups of believers and followers of Jesus Christ throughout the rest of the Book of Revelation.
Global Salvation Revival?
You may have heard on the internet, and/or behind pulpits across America… if not the whole world preaching, “One of the signs pointing to the rapture of the church age is a global salvation revival.” And uses Scriptures such as Joel 2 and Romans 11.
Joel 2:29 is pointing out “In those days,” meaning the far future from the days of Joel, which the Holy Spirit spoken through the Apostle Peter (Acts 2:17) saying, “In the last days,” the Spirit of God will be poured out upon all flesh. That’s not prophesying a global revival, That’s actually prophesying the day of Pentecost as Jesus Christ promised in John 14:12-23 and Matthew 3:11, which was fulfilled in the Book of Acts 2 & 4.
And from then on, the Holy Spirit of God will continually be poured out upon all flesh throughout the “last days.” And this is only promised to them that loves, believes, repents from sinning and follows Jesus Christ as Lord.
And what marks the beginning of the “last-days?” Pentecost! After Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead and His ascension in bodily flesh came Pentecost which means “50th day.” Referring to 50 days after His resurrection. Because 50 days after His resurrection, which is 10 days after His ascension (Acts 1), came the fulfillment of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2 & 4), Thus it is written, “In the last days…” The “Last days” are from the day of Pentecost to the end of the world!
Thus, in Revelation 7 is not revealing to us in any way, shape or form a “global revival” will occur. Either before the rapture or in the “great tribulation” period as part of a biblical sign of either event. The Holy Bible is simply showing us that Jews/Hebrews/Israeli’s, as well as Gentiles will find salvation in Jesus Christ to the end of the world. BECAUSE THAT’S THE MERCIES OF GOD! Because we see throughout the Book of Revelation alone that His hand is out stretched still, to stiff-neck, obstinate sinners to the end of the world. As is witnessed, as a continual theme in,
Psalm 106; 107; & 136 His mercy endureth forever.
If that were not true, the Holy Bible would never have taught the mercies of God 46 times throughout the entire Holy Bible. And if this were not true, No one could have a chance to be saved in the “last days!” But what sayeth the Holy Scriptures? The only group of people that are damnable to the Lake of Fire in all eternity, according to the Holy Bible, are those who:
- Are ashamed of Jesus Christ (Mark 8:38)
- Blasphemes the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:31-32)
- Continually/wilfully sins against God (Hebrews 10:26-31)
- Rebels against His instructions and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 3-4)
- Lives in unforgiveness (Mark 11:25-26)
- Rejects Jesus Christ to the end of their life (John 3:16-18)
- Receives the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:9)
Otherwise, people from every nation, kindred (tribe), and tongues (Revelation 7:9;13-15) shall find eternal life through Jesus Christ, if they so choose to… “whosoever wills,” (John 3:16/Romans 10:8-21). Even in the great tribulation period. And Revelation chapter 7 is the first Scripture to reveal this mystery. But first, who are the 144,000?
The 144,000?
Yet others teaches that the 144,000 is a symbolic number of the redeemed from all peoples, and not meaning Jews only. And its Biblical reference is found in Revelation 14:3??? But what saith the Holy Bible about this?
Revelation 7:1-2 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,
The four angels holding the four winds of the earth are the first four angels mentioned in Revelation 8 & 16. Whom God will grant permission unto these angels to sound the trumpets and pour out the vials. These holy angels of God are specifically assigned to the task of bringing the judgments of God to the earth, tree’s, vegetation. The waters and the sea; the sun, moon and the stars.
And they are standing on the four corners of the earth, meaning all directions of the earth, holding back the wind from blowing. As it is written, “holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor the tree’s.” Imagine that…. A moment when the earth’s air is still. That would be an unsettling feeling. Where there is no barometric or atmospheric pressure. Where the whole earth is at the exact same temperature. Almost as if the earth stood still for a moment.
Is that what this passage of Scripture is trying to reveal to us literally? Or is this a symbolic phrase that means, these holy angels are commanded to hold back the judgments of God, until God has the mark or seal on the four-heads of the 144,000? Or could it be both a literal and symbolic interpretation?
Nonetheless, These holy angels of God are holding the winds, and notice, “while another angel ascending from the east.” Not descending from Heaven to the east. But ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, commanding the four angels, “to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,”
Revelation 7:3-4 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.
This is why Versus 1-3 is written as it is, because when Jesus Christ breaks the 7th seal in Revelation 8:1, And the 7 holy angels with trumpets are released to sound their trumpets one by one. It is then that God will harm the tree’s, the waters, the earth. Sun, moon and the stars, while He judges humanity in the Trumpet of Judgments, which is the second round of global Judgments that begins in the great tribulation period.
The marking of the 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel will happen in the moment after the rapture, but before God sends out His next set of Judgments. The 144,000 will be marked with a special mark or seal of protection upon 12,000 Israelis from all 12 twelve tribes of Israel on their foreheads in Jerusalem literally, as it was spoken of by the Prophet Ezekiel long ago,
Ezekiel 9:1-4 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
According to the rest of Ezekiel’s vision from God, the 144,000 will be found in Jerusalem and be given a mark on the forehead. For this is a special mark; a seal of protection if you will. While He sends out other men to smite them without the mark, who defiled the house of God and Jerusalem with their abominations. This connects with the prophetic utterances of Zechariah 14 with Revelation 17-18, protecting the 144,000 before the second Advent of Christ occurs.
And why do we call this mark “a seal of protection?” As you read in a couple of Scriptures in the Book of Revelation, it reveals to us that the 144,000 will be here on earth. God’s redeemed will not be touched, corrupted nor harmed by any of the judgments of God. But all those without God’s mark will be smote as God revealed to Ezekiel 9:5-9 and in Revelation 9:4-5; because of unrepented sins against God.
Similar to the days of Moses during the exodus out of Egypt. None of the plagues that happened in Egypt, caused harm to the Israelites then. So God will do to His hand picked few among all Israel in the near future.
Revelation 7:4-8 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.
So far, we know the 144,000 are Israelis. Handpicked by God in Jerusalem, 12,000 from all 12 tribes of Israel. They are not the total number of faithful people who are saved in all the world (according to the Jehovah Witnesses). They are not the Skoptsy Russians. Nor are they the “symbolic” number of saints or faithful followers of Christ that makes up the “End-times Universal Church” of “spiritual Israel” (according to the 7th day Adventists).
They are literally Messianic Jews! Hebrews! Full blooded Israeli’s, who descended from the 12 tribes of Israel named in this very chapter who actually live in the land of Israel. The Redeemed who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and lives according to His teachings. And Spiritually follows Him wherever He is, according to,
Revelation 14:3-4 The hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
What else do we know about them according to the Scriptures? Have you ever wondered about whom Jesus Christ was referring to when He instructed (Matthew 24:15-28) to flee into the mountains and hide, when they see the abomination of desolation in Jerusalem occur that Daniel prophesied about?
He wasn’t instructing His original disciples. In fact, historically speaking the “abomination of desolation” hasn’t been fulfilled yet as in the day I published this message. They had come close with Caligula, the Emperor of Rome in the first century. And He wasn’t instructing all Israeli’s or the world when this occurs in the great tribulation period. He was instructing specifically, the 144,000 when they see the abomination in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ’s instructions concur with Revelation 12. They were mentioned as the woman with wings to fly into the wilderness for 3/12 years, due to the great persecution of the devil (the abomination)…protected by God
Revelation 12:6;13-17
Verse 6: And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Verses 13-17: And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Again, this concurs with Jesus Christ’s instruction to the 144,000 in Matthew 24:15-28, when you compare scripture with scripture. And after the 3 1/2 years are ended, they will await Jesus Christ’s second advent on Mount Zion as it is written,
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.
And together they will take back the Mount of Olives, before Jesus Christ establishes His Millennial Reign according to, Zechariah 14:1-4 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Interesting Note: Mount Sion and the Mount of Olives face each other across the Kidron Valley (east & west). And as the Scriptures say, when Jesus Christ descends from Heaven to Mount Sion, which is on the Israeli side. He will step foot onto the Mount of Olives also (Zechariah 14:4), which is the Palestinian side today. That’s when the Kidron Valley splits open and creates a “very great valley.”
And Jesus Christ; the world’s real Messiah, when He puts an end to Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21/Revelation 16:12-16), He will be King of all the earth (Zechariah 14:9). Which is the Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1-4). And in the complete days of His rule, He will fully restore Israel as prophesied by all the Old Testament Prophets of God (and also in Zechariah 14:11). God Most High is pleading with you both Gentiles and Israel! Hearken unto His voice and harden not your hearts!
Deuteronomy 4:30-40 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days (last days), if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them.
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? Or hath God assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord He is God; there is none else beside him. Out of heaven He made thee to hear His voice, that He might instruct thee: and upon earth He shewed thee His great fire; and thou heardest His words out of the midst of the fire. And because He loved thy fathers, therefore He chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in His sight with His mighty power out of Egypt; To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Thou shalt keep therefore His statutes, and His commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever.
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