Let’s take a look at the sealing of the faithful among all nations, beginning with Israel in Revelation 7.
Israel Sealed
Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners [angles] 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.
The four angles or compass points of the land are still used today. Winds are pictured as scattering the ancient nation of Elam (Jeremiah 49:36-37), as an attack by the enemy nation of Babylon (Jeremiah 51:1-2) and a spiritual battle with false doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).
Revelation 7:2-3 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, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
People must eventually decide to either have the mark of the beast, a trust in worldly politics and human solutions, sealed in their foreheads or the seal of God, the Holy Spirit. The people of God are certainly sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22) as a seal of belonging (2 Timothy 2:19) and a seal of holiness (Exodus 39:30).
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 Israel.
Are these literally physical Israel now converted to the true faith? Once first among the nations, they became among the last because they rejected Christ, now are they counted first once again after the conversion of many Jews just before Christ’s return?
Revelation 7:5 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.
No longer is Reuben counted first, the literal firstborn, yet unstable as water (Genesis 49:3-4), has been replaced. Judah, the tribe from which our Lord sprang, has taken first place among the twelve.
Revelation 7:6 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.
Manasseh was one of the sons of Joseph, here counted separately and Dan is now missing, possibly because they left their inherited land and began worshipping pagan gods. They eventually disappeared as a people from history. This possibly also symbolizes Judas Iscariot who betrayed his place among the Apostles and so a substitute, Matthaias was chosen (Acts 1:15-26).
Revelation 7:7-8 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.
The inheritance of Joseph now falls upon his second son Ephraim, who received the birthright of the first son. Thus bringing the number of the tribes back up to twelve, in a similar manner that a substitute was required for the twelve Apostles.
All Nations Sealed
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 throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Are the 144,000 literal Israel or spiritual Israel? We are not told. If spiritual Israel is intended, the church, then who are these other people also dressed in white, a symbol of righteousness? These other nations are also therefore in the church.
Let’s not wildly speculate, but be satisfied with the words as they are, and with the mystery of what is not said, for now. The use of palms elsewhere symbolizes rejoicing in the Lord at the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40) and Jesus’ victory parade (John 12:13).
Revelation 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
These are also the saved, giving praise to the source of their salvation. So, the theory that only the symbolic 144,000 are saved is wrong.
Revelation 7:11-12 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, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
This 7-fold doxology is an anthem of complete praise.
Revelation 7:13-14 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of [the] great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The Great Tribulation is that which was foretold by our Lord and Daniel (Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1) and results in persecution and suffering and martyrdom of the people who are washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:15-17 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. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 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.
Using words from Isaiah 49:10, this is a time when the plight of an oppressed people is over. There is no more hunger or thirst of starved and persecuted Christians, no more heat of fiery trials, no more tears, just the Lamb, a feast and life-giving water.
The time is coming when the faithful of all nations will be sealed and dressed in righteousness, ready for the great day of the Lord. Will we be among them?
