The American Wisdom Series

Presents

Revelation chapter 7

Let us find out why.

Rev. 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.

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 Four Winds

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,

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

Hmmmm... sounds like an implant of sorts. Do you think will this 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.

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:

Rev. 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

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):

But after those things John looked and ascending in the eastern sky, "It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an angel having the Seal of the living God saying to the four winds of the earth with a great voice 'Stop, do not bring about the final events of this earth age until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads'."

Rev 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 Israel.

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.

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

Here's a brief synopsis of the terms Hebrew, Israelite and Jew:

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.

[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.

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:

TWELVE. Denotes Governmental Perfection. It is the number or factor of all numbers connected with government: whether by Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to do with government in the heavens and the earth. Companion Bible, appendix 10, pg. 14.

Next verse:

Rev. 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 throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

They are clothed in white robes. We know what that is symbolic of!

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.

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,

[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.

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

[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.

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.

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.

[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:

Do you think a big house and a fancy car now can compare to that?