9307

This is Pamphlet #9307, Study #314 in our series. Much of it taken from ntrevelation7
The truth about:

REVELATION

OF SAINT JOHN THE DIVINE BY JESUS CHRIST

Chapter 7 begins after the line of red stars ************* below.

But First please note:

Many churches stay clear of the Book of Revelation on a verse by verse study, because they teach;

"You're going to be gone anyway at that time".

They also say;
"It's not to be understood yet".

This is odd because the very word "Revelation"
means to "to reveal" or "unveil" something.

When you unveil anything,

you make it known.

The book of Revelation is a sister book to the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

Both of these books were written to the people who live in the final generation, of the "latter days".

Daniel was told to, "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end:" [Daniel 12:4].

He was told by God; "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand." [Daniel 12:10]

The wise are those who study God's word, line upon line, chapter upon chapter, and all these words are wisdom from God.

This is why the wise should understand.

As we study Revelation, let us take a fresh look at the book, and allow God's Word to speak through us. Let's permit the Holy Spirit to allow His words to speak to our hearts which is our minds with understanding.

This chapter covers a time period that most people living on the face of the earth today will live through, and the wise Christian should understand these teachings.

So, be very cautious of any group that would tell you not to study, or to throw away part of God's word. Those are words Satan would use.

Caution to students of God;s Word - Please remember two things when using our American Wisdom Series studies:
#1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Drake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "studies". These studies contain knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.
May the Holy Spirit be your only guiding light. Sincerely, John Rhine

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

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The seventh chapter is an insertion, to identify exactly what you are to be doing just before the end, which is the very time we are living in.

For those of you who were following along as Jesus was opening the seven seals, you know that only six have been opened so far. Christ has chosen to insert this message to us here before He opens the seventh seal. In the very beginning of chapter 8 He will open it. This must be a really important message He has for us here.

The Fig Tree [Nation of Israel] has been planted, and the generation of that planting will live to see the end. As Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." [Matthew 24:34-35]

We are moving into record setting historical affairs in Bible prophecy as these things happen rapidly.

The Jews and Arabs keep making covenants at the peace table; Even if to no avail.

The world is now under a controlling power by the one world treaty organization called the "United Nations";

And all the Nations of the world today go to that institution's agencies to settle their disputes.

Borders are being eliminated for the sake of tariffs and trade between nations and are superceding the laws of those nations.

The most powerful event taking place today, is that God's Christian Nations are being stripped of their alliance with our Heavenly Father, His name is being removed from schools, homes, and even Churches, and Christians sit by in a stupor and allow it to happen.

The "Kenites" are controlling God's houses through their control of money, and taxes and within their four hidden dynasties.

But, most proclaiming Christians are too busy
with things of the world to read it!.

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."

These "four winds" are the "four spirits". These four winds are what marks the end of this earth age.

They are four winds that come from all directions and focus on one point. Thus it will be "by nature and natural causes" that the end will come to pass, in a spiritual sense. This is also discussed in Ezekiel 37, and Daniel 7.

Revelation 7:2 "And I saw another angel ascending from the east [sun rising], 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 subject here is the sealing of God's elect; placing knowledge of everything that is to happen in the minds of God's elect and all those overcomers, so there will be no mystery in these events to them. When we know exactly what is to take place, Satan will not be appealing to us; for upon his arrival, we will know him for the cheap imitation he is, in relation to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 7:3 "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

This is what the angel from the east [God] said to the spirits of the four winds.

The purpose here is to save the earth, the trees and vegetation, also the water and everything else, until God's elect are sealed.

Until God's elect, each and every one of them completely understands the events that will take place before the seventh trumpet sounds, and Our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

That seal is knowledge in the minds of the elect, placed their by the seeds of God's Word. God's Word must placed there through your studying and learning what the Holy Spirit of God reveals to you. It's time for God's elect to stop chasing shadows, and study to know God's plan for the elect, and also what He has in store for the devil [Antichrist] and his world system. We are to be a part of God's plan, but not Satan's system.

Revelation 7:4 "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 Is'-ra-el."

This seal has nothing to do with going to heaven; but it is the full knowledge of How to stand against the wiles of Satan, the Antichrist.

This has to take place before the "son of perdition" [Satan] sets his feet on this earth as the Antichrist or false-christ, the spurious messiah.

You will either know how to identify Satan, from the true Christ, or you will be deceived by Satan, the false-christ and become part of his system.

This sealing will be marked in the minds of God's elect from all the tribes of Israel.

If you believe this is referring only to the Jews, then you are far off base and you already have the seal of Satan in your forehead.

The "House of Israel" comprise all twelve tribes, and they were scattered long ago. Ten of them entirely and most of the other two. We know them today as the Christian nations of the Americas, Western Europe, and wherever else they migrated to, and now exist. The book of Hosea details this fact for us.

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: Remember as you read this study, or any place in the Bible;

#1. When the talk is about the ancient "House of Israel", it is the ten tribes of Israelites who made up that northern kingdom house or nation and have since their dispersement by Assyria in 745-721 B.C., migrated on to the west and have become the Christian nations of our 21st. century.

#2. When the talk is about the ancient "House of Judah", it is the two tribes of Israelites, Judah and Benjamin, who made up that southern kingdom house or nation and have since, after mixing with the Kenites, i.e. descendants of Cain during their Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C., become the Jewish peoples of our 21st. century, now calling themselves, not Israelites but Israelis, many of whom in 1948 moved back to the middle east and with the help of England organized into the new country called Israel today, which was then recognized by the United States and three days later Russia,

Revelation 7:5 "Of the tribe of Ju'-da were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reu'-ben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand."

The Jews are of the tribe of Judah [Ju'-da], and Benjamin only, as well as part of the tribe of Levi.

Revelation 7:6 "Of the tribe of A'-ser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nep'-tha-lim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Ma-nas-sas were sealed twelve thousand.'

Manasseh [Ma-nas-sas] is the tribe comprising mostly the Caucasian people of the United States. The description of the seal and banner of Manasseh are deeply marked in our seal, motto and every thing else about our nation.

Revelation 7:7 "Of the tribe of Sim'-e-on were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Le'-vi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Is'-sa-char were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:8 "Of the trible of Za-bu'lon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Jo'-seph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Ben'-ja-min were sealed twelve thousand."

This completes the one hundred and forty four thousand [144,000] of God's elect, sealed in their minds with the events of the end times. The tribe of Joseph is also called "Ephraim", the Scriptures tell us in Genesis 48:8-27. This Scripture also tells us how the birthright of Abraham, was passed through Isaac, to Jacob [Israel], then on to Joseph's son Ephraim. The name of Israel was to be placed, and stay with the tribe of Ephraim. Ephraim is the British [Covenant] people, and the bond between Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh continues to this day [Britain and the U.S.].

The omitting of the tribe of Dan here is because of the sins of the people of that tribe, as recorded in I Kings 12:25-28. It was Dan that drew the other tribes of the old "House of Israel" into idolatry.

Salvation, or going to heaven is not the subject of the sealing in your mind. The 144,000 will be part of a much larger number that will also be sealed. In later chapters we will see that the "kings and queens of the ethnos" will also be sealed, they are not of Israel, but of Gentile nations. These are not royalty in this earth age, but of the millennium age. All these saints of God, as well as God's elect will know and understand the signs of the end times.

The object of the sealing being done in ones mind, or receiving the knowledge of God's Word and His plan, is so you will be able to teach others prior to Satan's coming earth at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, claiming he is God. Which is prior to our Lord's return, at the sounding of seventh trumpet.

Ezekiel 48 shows us that in that millennium age, the tribe of Dan will be reinstated into their inheritance, and the tribe of Ephraim will once again establish it's role as the head of all Israel at the Lord's return

Revelation 7:9 "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 Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;"

This is after John's second vision has taken place. Only here, and in John 12:13 were palms used to glorify our Lord. The people in Jerusalem used these palm branches, "and cried Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord". That is a fact, Jesus did come in the name of the Lord God Almighty.

Revelation 7:10 "And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."

This is not part of any "rapture" as many teachers teach. No, but it is the people who have died in the Lord's work, and have gone to be with Him.

It is my father who died twelve years ago, and my uncle Ron who has passed on. It's my grandmother Knecht, who passed on when I was a child, and every other saint of God, who lived a life on this earth, and died and went to be with the Lord, from any century in this earth age.

Those are the ones John sees standing before the Lord in their white robes, washed in the blood of the Lamb, and their sins made white as snow.

Though we laid their fleshly bodies in the ground, Praise God their souls went immediately to be with the Father.

From Adam and Eve to this present time, all these saints of God are now angelic soul beings; though they sinned in the flesh, each has repented of their sins, and God is faithful and just to forgive all those sins, and make them white and pure as snow.

Revelation 7:11 "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts [living creatures], and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God."

Revelation 7:12 "Saying, A'-men: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. A'-men."

There are seven-fold blessings the saints are ascribing back from themselves to the Lamb of God [Jesus Christ]. These are given to Jesus Christ because of what Jesus has done. They again are; Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Honor, Thanksgiving, Power, and Might.

Remember back in Revelation 5:12 it named the seven spirits of life given Jesus Christ by the Father? Here the saints recognize them and praise the Lamb. However rather than "riches", in verses 5:12, we have "Thanksgiving".

The saints have already received their riches, at this time; and they are part of those riches through all eternity. So now they stand before our Lord in their white robes and bow and praise God in Thanksgiving. What a glorious Wonder to watch.

Revelation 7:13 "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"

Revelation 7:14 "And I said unto him, Sir [My Lord], 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."

Notice where they came from, the great tribulation. They came out of the tribulation and "washed their own robes" in the blood of the Lamb. Nobody washed the robes for them. They were made white by the blood of the Lamb by their repentance and confession in Jesus Christ. These "witnesses", we will read of in Revelation 19, and our robes are the product of our righteous acts done in our flesh body, while living on this earth.

Those acts are the things you do, and in helping others in the name of the Lord. Our Salvation comes only by grace [unmerited favor] of God, through the blood of the Lamb [Jesus Christ on the cross]; yet our righteous acts are what we are clothed in throughout all eternity. True righteousness is only in Christ, but when you try, God accepts it as perfect. So these saints are standing there in their righteous works.

The term "great tribulation" is better translated "great afflictions" in the flesh, or body.

For these saints went through afflictions in the flesh, or body; However they may not have lived in the period of the "Great Tribulation".

Many millions have suffered greatly in the name of God, and even given their lives in His service.

Revelation 7:15 "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 [spread His tabernacle over] them."

Many of these saints will return with Christ at the seventh trumpet. However, when the Godhead, and His throne move to earth eternally, it will be following the Great White Throne Judgment. Then all souls will be on earth and in God's eternal kingdom, or they will simply not exist. Not even the memory of them will exist. We will discuss this in Revelation 22.

Revelation 7:16 "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat."

Our spiritual bodies are not conductors, or even affected by cold or heat. Though the flesh body is a producer of pollution; and holds the desires of the flesh, and the life styles we live. Pollution will not exist in the millennium and the eternal kingdom. The spiritual, or angelic body's desire and needs in that heavenly dimension are totally different than that of our physical body needs.

Revelation 7:17 "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them [be their shepherd], and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters [waters of life]: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

There will be no tears in that eternal kingdom, for their will be nothing to be sad about. The only nourishment in the eternal kingdom, following judgment, will be the living water we receive from Jesus Christ. We have a lot to look forward to, so take pleasure in the seventh chapter of Revelations. It's your destination.

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note:: We are going to stop here in this "Revelation of Jesus Christ" study to review some commentary from chapter 7 in an earlier study we published on the "Revelation of Jesus Christ." I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that did and will take place may prove helpful in our understanding of Jesus' revelation. Also, our introduction #9300 was taken from this earlier study so keep your eyes open for study tips and rules to help simplify your grasp of Jesus' end time revelation

We have now come to chapter 7 of the book of the "Unveiling" and, having seen the uncovering of 6 Seals, we would expect to begin the revelation of the final seal, the 7th Seal. But alas, such is not the case. We must "hold back" our viewing the unveiling of the 7th Seal until chapter 8.

John has just seen the 6th Seal unveiled and now, after that, he sees four angels (the number 4 denotes "earth" in Biblical numerics) standing on the four corners of the earth. This simply means that what is about to be said concerns the entire world, all four quadrants which make up the whole.

The four angels are holding back the "four winds" that they should not blow, i.e. they are stopping their action. What does that mean? Well, every time the "four winds" are spoken of they are always connected with the final events, the consummation of this earth age. You can read of them in Ezek. 37 and in Daniel 7 as well. Or log unto (live link to)-Four Win ds

So Rev. 7:1 is simple. John saw that there is a holding pattern concerning the final events of this earth age which are about to befall us. And I am sure there must be a very good reason why, and I am sure we will find out because Christ has foretold all things, remember?

[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,

Who is this angel ascending from the east having the seal of the living God? It is the angel of the 7th Seal, containing the 7 Trumps, saying "Hold it right there!"

[3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Aha! I knew it. There's the answer. There is a VERY IMPORTANT job that must be done before the four winds are released upon the earth and the final trumpets blow. The "servants" of the living God must have the "seal" of the living God placed "in their foreheads".

Hmmmm... sounds like an implant of sorts. Do you think this will require surgery?
I heard once that people are going to have the "mark of the beast" stamped, maybe even implanted, on their foreheads, which I was told was the number 666. Someone suggested that it might even be done in Roman numerals like VI VI VI which looks an awful lot like maybe a bar code, doesn't it? It might even be a computer chip.

If you have eyes to see and ears to hear you may be chuckling over such complete and utter nonsense. However, books and tapes and lectures and discussions and guesses like the one just illustrated here as to what is the "mark of the beast" are prevalent everywhere. And it would be funny if it weren't so sad.

We have already learned that the Seal of God is His Word. And we are expected to know from common sense or grade school anatomy class that our brains, or shall we say our minds, reside in our foreheads. Duh! So to have the Seal of God in our forehead is simply to have the Word of God in our mind, i.e. to have an understanding of God's Word, of His overall plan of salvation, to even understand the Seals themselves if you will.

It is interesting that the Greek word for "sealed" is sphragizo which means to preserve or mark for security. Why? Read this verse:

If you DO NOT have the Seal of God in your forehead, then you will have the Seal of Satan in your forehead, the mark of the beast, i.e. Satan's word, which is garbage, deception, and will lead you to the spiritual crematorium because you are "marked" for hurtin'!

It is really very simple. You either belong to Christ, the Son of God, and have His Word, His seal in your mind, or you belong to Satan, the son of perdition, and have his word, his seal (mark) in your mind.

So we know what the Seal of God is (His truth), and who it is that is to be sealed (His servants), but who is to do the sealing?

Next we will not only learn who will (even is) to do the sealing, the teaching of His Word, but we will learn about a group of 144,000 who are going to (even are) get their ears on!

Until then you could ask yourself these questions; "Am I a sealer or a sealee?" i.e. "Do I have eyes to see and ears to hear?" If you do, then you are a servant of the Most High God. How blessed you are!

Have you ever heard about the 144,000 of Revelation? Some churches and sects have taught (and still do this very day) that there will only be 144,000 people go to heaven out of the great tribulation. And of course you could guess that most of those who teach that will tell you those 144,000 are members solely of their church. So you'd better join their ranks if you want to be spared the great tribulation!

In fact, one major group started out teaching that they alone were the 144,000 and once their membership exceeded that number they were forced to modify their doctrine. It would now be those "among them" who were the more righteous servants of God (read "biggest financial contributors") who would be selected. So dig deep and give, give, give and we'll give you recognition as a good Christian.

The first problem with this line of thinking (other than it stinks) is that heaven isn't even mentioned, nor is it discussed at all in relation to the 144,000. So let's recap where we are in the Book of Revelation and learn from Him, not from the imaginations of men who preach "elitism" in order to hold captive their congregations.

We had just finished chapter six where the Lamb of God had opened six seals and it looked like we were ready for number seven. But in Rev 7:1 John then saw the four angels whose job it is to release the four winds upon the earth, which bring about the final events of this flesh age, standing on the four corners of the earth, N, S, E, W. Four remember is the number of "earth" in Biblical numerics. In verse 2 then we read (in Baby Boomer paraphrase form):

And besides, I thought race doesn't matter? That's correct as far as salvation goes, for it is available to all of God's children regardless of race, but did God create the races to exist just until Christ paid the price and then His purpose for them was finished? Don't be silly. In the next few verses the tribes will be specifically named so as to dispel this rumor. Not only that, the nations (Greek word ethnos, meaning non-Israelite races) are present at the New Jerusalem throughout eternity and they have kings as well.

Rev. 21:23-24
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. [24] And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Where are the 12 Tribes of Israel today? Did you know that the Book of James was specifically written to them? So this New Testament apostle recognized them and there whereabouts, didn't he?

James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Following King Solomon's reign, the last king to reign over the entire 12 Tribe House of Israel, the House of Judah, along with most of Benjamin, split from the House of Israel. (Look at the maps in the back of any Bible which has them and you will see the northern House of Israel and the southern House of Judah, for they are separate). Although all those of true Judah are of the 12 Tribe House of Israel, the other 11 Tribes are not of Judah, i.e. not Jews.

Abraham was an Hebrew, which comes from the word "eber" meaning "from across the river". Abraham's nephew, Lot, was also an Hebrew. Abraham then begat Isaac, who naturally was Hebrew, too. However, neither Abraham, nor Isaac, nor Lot were Jews! Why? Judah hadn't been born yet. Furthermore, we will have Lot and his descendants growing and multiplying as Hebrews, but they will never be of Israel or Judah. So there are Hebrew people, even to this day, who are not even of Israel (Jacob) much less of Judah.

Then Isaac begat Jacob whose name was changed to Israel and he had twelve sons who, today, have become nations, and their populations are as numerous as the sands of the sea and the stars of the sky. (If you are living in the U.S., you are living in one of those nations of true Israel). All twelve sons were Israelites (born of Jacob, who was Israel). But obviously only those of his son Judah were of Judah, i.e. "Jews".

Without a doubt, this is one the biggest reasons preachers and ministers of today are clueless about end-time Bible prophecies. Ask them where the United States and Great Britain are referred to in prophecy. When they can't give you an answer, or try to spiritualize (read "spin") them into the church of God, or worse yet gentiles, say "In other words, God forgot to mention the super power of super powers of the end-time in Bible prophecy?" It is at this point that you will be told it is of little importance my child, just have love in your heart and be kind and love Jesus, and don't worry, you'll be raptured away when all these events happen anyway.

No sealing of God's Word here! And so the mark of the beast has been firmly imbedded in her forehead, i.e. Satan's seal, his teachings. She'll be first to be taken in the field.

An entire book could be written here concerning who the 12 Tribes of Israel are and where they are today, but obviously space and time will not afford us. However, if you haven't read E. Raymond Capt's little booklet the "Abrahamic Covenant" then by all means contact Artisan Publishers at www.artisanpublishers.com and purchase a copy. It will give you an outline of the identity of God's people, who basically make up the Free World, the Christian nations. The so-called ten lost tribes are not lost to our Father, nor to those who have the seal of God in their foreheads.

Here are the nations of the full House of Israel to be taught before the four winds are let loose:

[5] 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.

You see, Judah is only a small part of the entire House of Israel.

[6] Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
[7] 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.
[8] 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.

If you analyze these 12 Tribes of Israel you will find that Dan and Ephraim are omitted and Levi and Joseph are substituted in their place. Why? Because of their idolatry. You can read of it in Lev. 24:10-16, Deut. 29:18-21, Judges 18:2-31, 1 Kings 12:16-33, and Hosea 4:17. However, know this: God has stated that all of Israel shall (eventually) be saved (Rom. 11:29) and therefore we find that Dan and Ephraim are restored in Ezek. 48 during the Millennium.

There is no mention of why there are 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel to be sealed, so one can only suppose. But here is the brief outline of the number 12 in Biblical numerics from appendix 10 in the Companion Bible:

And what of the palms? They were used in John 12:12-13 at the Feast where those with them were praising and blessing God. And we find the same thing in heaven. There's no mystery here!

John 12:12-13
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna means oh save! or "salvation now" which is what is being said by the great multitude in the next verse. (Isn't the Word of God absolutely incredible in it's consistency and accuracy? It should be no surprise though, for it is the Word of the Creator of the Universe.)

Rev. 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Rev. 7:11
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,

You should have a very vivid image of the throne by now with its "shekinah glory" radiating forth the beautiful colors of the rainbow, with the "zoon", the protecting cherubs, standing guard, and the 24 elders seated in their formal white robes and wearing their crowns, and the multitudes of the sons of God gathered at this awesome assembly in the throne room of Almighty God which has a floor resembling a crystalline sea of glass. If not, go back and re-read chapter 5.

[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.

Speaking of chapter 5, do you remember the seven spirits of God we read of in chapter 5 verse 12? They are given here in reverse order, basically, but with one exception. The "riches" in 5:12 have been replaced by "thanksgiving" in 7:12. Why? Because this is after the great tribulation and they have already received the "riches" for which they are now "thankful".

1.) Power        1.) Blessing
2.) Riches        2.) Glory
3.) Wisdom     3.) Wisdom
4.) Strength     4.) Thanksgiving
5.) Honour      5.) Honour
6.) Glory         6.) Power
7.) Blessing     7.) Might

And so it is 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?

This is just fantastic! Notice here that one of the 24 Elders spoke to John who must have been near where of one them was sitting. I don't think he expected John to know the answer, and so his questions are rhetorical.

[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.

These came out of great tribulation which implies they were in great tribulation. They washed their own robes in the blood of the Lamb, for only by personally accepting Christ as your savior can you be purified and your robe made white.

[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.

When we get to the last chapter of this Book of Revelation we will read about our Father leaving the current location of His throne and bringing the New Jerusalem down out of heaven and dwelling among His children for all eternity. (Also read the very last verse in the Book of Ezekiel.)

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

The reason is that the Lamb of God will be with us!

[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.

We shall read of this again in chapters 21 and 22. Let's jump ahead and get a glimpse into the future:

Rev. 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The flesh age has passed away and we are in magnificent spiritual bodies that feel no pain, and all the "rudiments", evilness and evil ones, have perished.

Rev. 22:1-3
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

This is the new throne now, in the New Jerusalem, here on earth, and our Father is with us.

[2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
[3] And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve Him:

Yes, the throne of God and He who sits upon it will be with us and we shall serve Him who has exciting things planned for us throughout this universe and all of eternity to enjoy.