Revelation: Coming SoonSample

We have seen most of the seals opened on the scroll that will tell us all of human history to come. At the start of chapter eight, the final seal will be opened. But first lies chapter seven.

The devastating judgment we saw in the sixth seal, at the end of chapter six, is not the whole story. There is a group that is not to be harmed (vv. 1-3). A seal, or sign of ownership, must be placed on the foreheads of the servants of God (v. 3). The number of those thus marked out as belonging to God is 144,000 (v. 4). Some have taken this literally, believing that there will only be that exact number saved on the last day. However, there are several reasons why this is very unlikely.

First is the obvious symbolism of the number—144,000 is twelve times twelve times 1000. We have seen these two twelves already in chapter four; they stand for the Old and New Testament people of God. A thousand is a Bible term for a large number. This is symbolic imagery for a huge number of the servants of God throughout history.

Secondly, there are obviously 'deliberate errors' in listing the tribes. John would know the list of tribes by heart. He would have spotted the omission of the tribe of Dan and the inclusion of Joseph and his son Manasseh.

This is a “great multitude that no one could count” (v. 9). The point is clear: all of God's people are eternally safe. They stand before the Lamb (v. 9). They wear the white robes we have seen in 3:4. They hold palm branches in their hands, reminding us of the worship of Jesus on His entry to Jerusalem. And their worship comes in verse 10 as they acknowledge that salvation belongs to God and the Lamb. Fulfilling God's promise to Abraham, they come “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (v. 9). This will be a truly international people of God. As God's people sing praise, so do the angels, the living creatures, and the elders. When one of the elders asks about this crowd (v. 13), he is told that they are those who have survived the tribulation of the last day (v. 14). That they have done so is not because of their effort but because of the work of the Lamb in their lives.

So it is no wonder that the chapter ends with a description of the eternal future of God's people. They are without need (v. 16) and will enjoy the shepherding, kingly rule of the Lamb forever and ever (v. 17). They will never cry or thirst again. Hooray for Jesus!

Reflect: Does this picture of eternity fill you with longing and encourage you to live under the rule of King Jesus now?