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THE FATE OF THE JEWS (REVELATION 7)
After my clubhouse closed the indoor pool in September 2021, most swimmers came out in full force to the outdoor pool to swim in in the warm morning weather. Into the second half of October the weather dropped to the low 20s and the turnout was poor. A week before that, I met a young man with a swim short or a surf shirt, so I asked him where he bought it and I did for $150 before the weather turned cooler because I planned to swim at night to strengthen my numbed right knee after my stroke.
For the first cool night I was trembling exercising in the pool, which my neighbor noticed and remarked that I was literally bouncing around shivering. I was ready the next few nights with my new swim shirt but one night the temperature was so cold that that it left only handful of swimmers. I said to the lifeguard, “How cold is the weather today?” He said, “22 degrees.” I asked, “How cold is the pool? He replied to my surprise, “27 degrees.” I remarked, “I felt colder in the pool than before entering the pool!” He continued, “Pastor it’s just a feeling, but it’s actually not that cold in the water!” I was ready the next day when the temperature dipped to 17, but the water was 26! I even conquered night swimming which was one degrees higher than morning!
Revelation 1 is the introduction, chapters 2 and 3 are the seven churches, 4 and 5 are the worship chapters, and chapters 6 and 7 refers to the great tribulation. Chapter 7 is an interlude or a bridge after the two chapters on the great tribulation highlighted by the four horse of the apocalypse and it ends with chapter 7 question, “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Rev 6:17). Surprising the great tribulation did not wipe out humankind, creation or the people of the Book – the Jews.
What is the condition of the world, the destiny of believers and the fate of the Jews after the great tribulation? Where is God in the tribulation? How do people call on Him in the great tribulation?
Seek His Protection
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The wind does not get much credit until the typhoons show up, and they did with a bang last month in Hong Kong. Within four days two typhoons made a dent in the city’s economy and labor force. The first time it arrived on a Friday and, thankfully, left before Sunday worship.
The next day, on Monday, we heard the next typhoon was coming two days later on Wednesday and could even disrupt the Chung Yeung public holiday on Thursday, the next day. A co-worker whose day off was on Wednesday remarked, “Don’t come on my holiday,” to which I and another staff immediately retorted, “Don’t come on Thursday pubic holiday!” What happened? Well, we got what we wanted because it came earlier on Tuesday land left the next day by Wednesday noon!
God’s protection on creation and His creatures is still manifest in the tribulation great or small, here “great tribulation.” The stark contrast in the tone of the four “gusty” angels in verse 1 with that of “another angel” in verse 2 is in the “hina” purpose clause in verse 1 with the four angels “to prevent” or “to blow” (on the earth). Without the wind, there would no dry clothes, rainy days or air circulation. Wind is renewable energy and without the winds weather would be bad, smog would be thick, and disease pressure would be high.
The good angel of verse 2, however, commanded the four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, with an imperative: “Do not HARM (pneo) the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” The protection of God is invisible, indistinguishable and inconclusive to the eye of frustration, but indispensable, inescapable and in disputable to the eyes of faith.
Cambridge Dictionary says it is “an official mark on a document, sometimes made with wax, that shows that it is legal or has been officially approved.”
What is the significance of a seal? A seal is a guarantee of security, surety and a stamp of approval. It means you are authentic, accepted, acknowledged, assured by God.
The verb “seal” (v 5) occurs five times in the chapter (vv 3, 4 twice, 5, 8). Why? Because those who were sealed were called “the servants of our God.” You might be surprised to know both the titles “servants of God” (1 Pet 2:16) and “servants of our God” (v 3) occurs only one time in the Bible, so we are precious to Him, protected by Him and possessed peaceful and permanent in God’s eyes. God gave us an honorable, heart-felt and highest happiest humble title. It is more important to know Israel’s future is in God’s hands, where it is sheltered, safe and secure.
Two times “cry with a loud voice” (vv 2, 10), most in a chapter.
Shout His Praise
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
This passage reminds me of my share of school assembly when I was a youngster. My experiences were mostly ok but flawed a few times because of dirty shoes and late arrival. Dirty shoes was something I cannot help because boys are boys.
I was never late for school when I was in primary school or grade school, because there was a paid person to pick me, my older brother and a few passengers to school. Secondary school or high school was different. We had to take a bus by ourselves and walk 20 minutes to be on time for the weekly assembly at the football field, where you sing the school song, listen to headmaster’s speech and be checked if your shirt is tucked in, your hair length is short and your uniform is acceptable. – not sure about nails? Assemblies usually last for an hour. Do you think I got my fair share of punishment? I got my fair share of whacking on the bottom for being late but we just bit our teeth and hide our pain.
Salvation is not limited to the 144,000 Jews. Nations (ethnos - singular), tribes/kindreds (plural), people (plural) and nations/languages (plural). No matter the homeland, hometown or heritage you have, we are saved and sanctified by the blood of the Lamb.
The clause “cried/crying with a loud voice” occurs five times in Revelation (Rev 6:10, 7:2, 10, 14:15, 19:17) – more than the other books added together, of which the most –twice – is from this chapter. The mood of this chapter’s loud voice (“"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.") (v 10) is in contrast with the chapter 6’s doom versus deliverance, tragedy versus triumph, and in (6:10).
The title “our God” occurs more times in the chapter (Rev 7:3, 10, 12) than any chapter in Revelation and in the New Testament, for that matter. We are His people, possession and pride. He is our seal, shepherd, and our salvation.
The angels, elders and beats collaborated before in song (Rev 5:11), but unlike the last time, this time the angels joined in falling and worshipping.
V 9 a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language Admittance Access Welcome
V 9 standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. Assembly Audience Whereabouts
V 9 They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Attire Acceptance Wear
10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Announcement
Acknowledgment
Salvation occurs for the first time in the book
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, Adoration
Awe Worship
12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Amen
Agreement
Only time twice “Amen” in one Bible verse
Serve His Purpose
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes — who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
This last section is dedicated to the Jews. The uniqueness of chapter 7 is their presence after the great tribulation. The Jews are the chosen people, the apple of God’s eye and the authors of the Bible. They ae most talented, envied and hated in the world, but God has never deserted them, disowned them or denied them. The title “servants of our God" contextually refers to the sealed 144,000 Jews from all the tribes of Israel (Rev 7:4)
The Jews have suffered like no other people or nation on earth, as attested by the 6 million of them who horrifically died in the Holocaust, by country below.
6 million Jews (by country more of death)
Poland
2.7 million Soviet Union
1.340 million Hungary
1.124 million Czechoslovakia
260k
Romania
404k Germany
165k Lithuania
130k Netherlands
102k
The formation in, surprisingly, John’s proclamation: is “they” + “He” in verse 14, and another “they” in verse 15 and “He” in verse 16.
V 15 they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; Our work
His servants
Attention on Him
V 15 he who sits on the throne will spread (dwell) his tent over them. Our worship
His sanctuary
Awe for Him
16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. Our welfare
His supply
Abundance in Him
“beat/fall” is the subjunctive imperative
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Our warmth
His sheep
Affection from Him
3/4 of 61 times of throne is in Revelation
Verses 15-17 is a reverse picture of Jewish history. The Lamb is the Passover in Egypt before leaving. The hunger and thirst is their experience in the wilderness. Verse 17 is in heaven. The verb “serve” appears for the first time in the book. “Spread his tent” is clumsy replacement for “dwell” (skenoo) in Greek, where its only time outside of Revelation refers to “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
God’s purpose of delivering the Israelites from Egypt was always to permanently dwell with them, not to dwell temporarily in Canaan:
I will dwell among them (Ex 25:8)
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God (Ex 29:45)
I might dwell among them. (Ex 29:46)
l, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites (Num 35:34)
And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel. (1 Kings 6:13)
I will live among you (Zech 2:10, 11)
Finally, all focus is on the Lamb – all but one of its 30 occurrences are from Revelation, from “in front of/before” the Lamb in verse 9, next “to” (dative) the Lamb in verse 10, to blood “of” (genitive) the Lamb in verse 14 and end with simply “the Lamb” (nominative).
Conclusion: Do you know the son “He’s got the whole world in His hands”?
1 He's got the whole world in his hands (4x)
2 He's got the wind and the rain in his hands.
3 He's got the little tiny baby in his hands. . . .
4 He's got you and me, brother, in his hands. . . .
5 He's got you and me, sister, in his hands. . . .
6 He's got everybody here in his hands. . . .
