Revelation 7:1-3 —Interlude: Angels Await Sealing of 144,000 Servants from 12 Tribes of Israel

Rev. 7:1   After this I saw four angels standing at the  four corners of the earth, holding back  the four winds of the earth,  so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.  2 And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the  four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,  3 saying, “ Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their  foreheads.”

Prayer and Bible Expo

Revelation 7:1-3 —Interlude: Angels Await Sealing of 144,000 Servants from 12 Tribes of Israel

Rev. 7:1   After this I saw four angels standing at the  four corners of the earth, holding back  the four winds of the earth,  so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.  2 And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the  four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,  3 saying, “ Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their  foreheads.”

After seeing the vision of the Lamb breaking the first six seals (Rev. 6), what does John see? (7:1-2)

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God. . .” (Rev 7:1-2).

Describe the angels (how many, their location, activity, command).

§  Four angels: four corners of the earth; holding back the four winds of the earth; authority given to them to harm the earth and the sea. (7:1-2).

§  Another angel: ascending from the rising of the sun (east); has the seal of the living God; cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads” (7:2-3).

What must happen before the four angels can do harm to the earth, sea, or trees?

The four angels are commanded by another angel not to harm the earth, sea, or trees “until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads” (7:3).

What do you learn about God from Rev. 7:1-3?

God protects His bond-servants by placing His seal on their foreheads. The bond-servants of the living God do not share in the common judgment of fallen humanity. God spares His bond-servants from judgment.

How could this transform your life?

Trust God to remember.

LORD God Almighty, Covenant God, God of Yeshua Your Lamb, Lion of Judah, and King of Israel, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of Israel, God of David, God of both Jews and Gentiles, Living God of terrifying holiness and glorious grace, God of heavenly armies and human bond-servants. How great and glorious is Your Name, a strong tower, solid rock, and safe refuge. Great is Your faithfulness! In the heat of judgment, You remember Your bond-servants and place Your seal upon their foreheads, that all may know that You are their God, the Living God, Who tabernacles His own. Your seal shields and spares Your bond-servants by Your great and powerful Name. No power in heaven or earth, above or below, can breach the seal of Your protection. Your bond-servants are fearless because You are fearful and faithful. Great and glorious is Your Name! May You be glorified in this moment, forever, and always, from the heights above to the depths below, to the ends of the earth. May every creature tremble at the sound of Your great Name. In the stillness of that day, may Your bond-servants exult in the glory of  the One Whose seal they bear. Salvation to You Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to You, our God, forever and ever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.