Alpha and Omega, Part 31, Revelation Part 8
Who are the 144,000 in Heaven?
Revelation 7:1-17
Introduction
- Taking this a part, chapter by chapter, to understand God’s plan for creation
- Last week, we discussed the unleashing of the Four Horseman:
• White: Antichrist
• Red: War
• Black: Famine
• Pale: Death
-- We were shown those who are martyred for Christ in Heaven, and,
-- We also saw a terrible earthquake rock the Earth: beginning of God’s judgment
- Today we will discuss the rescue of several thousand believers
-- Takes place during the Tribulation & John is seeing a vision of the future
-- Remember, he has just seen a vision of ¼ of the Earth’s population killed
-- And this was an after-effect of the rider on the pale horse (death)
- These people (Ch 7) are saved during the tribulation; they are of Jewish descent!
-- Plainly, they are Jews who receive Jesus as Lord during the Tribulation
-- RE: Israel has always been God’s chosen people; they are His pride, His nation
- Read Revelation 7:1-17 / Pray
- TR: Let’s jump right in with a critical reminder for us all today …
Point 1 – God’s mercy is still shown to humanity
- First, John sees the immense power/strength of God and His angels (v1)
-- They stand at the four corners of the Earth, holding back His judgment
- The picture for us is God’s control over everything that happens on the Earth
-- He has complete rule over it all – AND we see here something wonderful
-- We see God’s mercy to hold back the judgments for a short while
- Why? In His mercy … His choice is to wait just a little while longer
-- To restrain from unleashing His avenging angels upon humanity
- To us today, this should be a most comforting thought:
-- We must know that judgment is in His hands – yet … He shows restraint
-- It must remind us of the saving grace of Christ – He has provided an escape
- However, this pause does not last forever, the judgments are still coming!
- How do we know this? He gives an astonishing (shouting) command! (v2)
-- The command is to delay judgment: He says, “WAIT! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” (v3)
-- Before judgment falls, God’s command is to ensure His people are accounted for
-- This seal is a mark of possession – a physical seal – assuring them of protection
- In the OT, a seal like this would be made with the king’s ring in wax
-- Much like we saw on the scroll: a stamp of authenticity – a sign of agreement
- In the NT, the seal we are given is that of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit
-- APP: It is a sign of a guarantee that the person (we) belongs to God
- Now, in contrast, the Antichrist will also demand a seal on his people
-- Rev 13:16-17, “He required everyone - small and great, rich and poor, free and slave - to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.”
- And those who choose to follow him will be sealed or judged for eternity
-- Rev 16:2, “So the first angel left the Temple and poured out his bowl on the earth, and horrible, malignant sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue.”
- APP: The judgment of God will fall on those who do NOT have God’s seal
-- God gives the most wonderful promise to believers: we will be rescued!
-- John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
- TR: So within God’s mercy, comes His remembrance of Israel …
Point 2 – God’s promise of protection remains for Israel
- John hears God’s promise clearly: 144,000 will be protected
-- Greek: sphragizó; set a seal upon – to be marked by God forever
-- Get this: Israel will be remembered AND offered grace by God
- They are sealed from each of the tribes of Israel, 12,000 from each
-- However, one tribe is missing! It is the tribe of Dan!
-- Join us on Wednesday night and we’ll discuss why they aren’t here!
- BIG: Jesus revealed this same promise to Paul; captured in Romans 9-11!!
-- Turn to and read Romans 11:25-36
-- APP: Take a moment, consider what we read … now we see the completion
- In Revelation 7, we see 144,000 Jews being converted to Christ
-- They are a special body of believers set apart to do God’s work: to evangelize
-- They are called “servants of God”; they will remain pure for Christ, and …
-- They are redeemed from among Jewish men; they are Israel’s first fruits
- APP: This whole scene shows the restoration of Israel; of God’s protection
-- Bible reveals (in Romans) that Israel was to be saved in the end time
-- This is the unveiling of that promise – and John captures it for us clearly
-- Imagine the “light bulb moment” when he remembered Paul’s writing!
- TR: Now … what John sees next ought to excite you as a believer!
Point 3 – The multitude of Heaven worship
- John gets to see all those who’ve been saved during the Tribulation!
-- From all nations, tribes, people, and tongues (diff. languages)
-- APP: He sees all who’ve been found in Christ praising at God’s throne
- FACT: Millions will come to Christ during the Tribulation (turn from sin)
-- Why? The purpose of the 144,000 will be to evangelize & preach the Gospel
-- From that work, countless of people will come to know Jesus & be redeemed
- Don’t miss: These people have a glorious position in Heaven
• They stand before the throne of God, before the Lamb, near to Him (safe)
• They are clothed in white robes, made pure and free from sin’s effects
• They hold palm branches in their hand, symbol of triumph/victory
• They shout their praises for their salvation (re-read Rev 7:10)
- They praise God because they have been delivered from their sin
-- That praise because He has rescued them from the terrible things to come
-- Know this: Even during the Tribulation, God will call men/women to Himself
- APP: It is a tremendous sign of His mercy … but don’t wait until then!
-- BIG: What if you are one of the ¼ of population who die & miss your chance?
-- Action: Today could be the day that you become Christ’s for all eternity!
- Accompanying these before the throne are the four living creatures
-- Consider the picture here before God –
• The outer circle is the angels
• Inside of them are the 24 elders
• Then we see the four living creatures
• Finally, the numberless multitude standing face to face with Christ
-- How big do you think THIS praise service is? Why don’t we try it here?
- They sing a song of praise, because of all that He has done! (v12)
• They offer thanksgiving to God which leads to
• They praise Him for His blessing
• They praise Him for His glory
• They praise Him for His wisdom
• They praise Him for His honor
• They praise Him for His power
• They praise Him for His might and strength
-- BIG APP: If you are struggling for how to praise God, maybe start here?
-- One verse of Scripture … from Heaven’s throne … shows you how!!
- TR: Just when it cannot get any better, an elder approaches John …
- Got to admit, I’m sure John was just standing there in awe during this
-- Elder’s question is simple: “Do you know who these are in white?”
Point 4 – The identity of the Worshipers
- RE: This whole vision is in the future now – and John is told who they are
-- They are those (v15) who died during the great Tribulation of Revelation
-- John is stunned to see this worship, but now he realizes why they praise!
- They are believers who’ve come out of the great Tribulation (been killed)
-- What would cause them to respond in such worship before God’s throne?
-- Because … they refused the Antichrist and lost their lives for Christ!
- Daniel predicted this terrible time of trouble – but rescue – as well:
-- Daniel 12:1, “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.” (promise to be redeemed …)
- Jesus predicted for us that a great tribulation was coming:
-- Matt 24:21-22, “For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.” (Tribulation is only 7 years …)
- Even Paul described the attacks of the Antichrist against all religions:
-- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, “Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed - the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.” (He demands worship …)
- John shows later the Antichrist will make war against the saints and believers
-- Rev 13:7, “And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.” (Don’t miss the words “allowed” & “given” …)
- John confirms the Antichrist’s purpose will be to setup worship of himself
-- Rev 13:15, “He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.” (Again, “permitted” – demanded worship…)
- The point is this: Those who defy the Antichrist will lose their life
-- His demand of ultimate worship from humanity is his primary goal
-- Worship of who? Satan – which is to be the ultimate betrayal to God
- But notice what is said about these believers before God’s throne:
• They serve God continually in His presence
• They will have the living presence of God with them forever
• They will have all their physical and spiritual needs met
• They will be protected, they will have leadership, there will be no sorrow
BIG IDEA
- Imagine: A terrible tragedy coming upon the Earth, and there’s still hope
-- There is still salvation - and celebration and rejoicing in Heaven for being saved!
- Now, imagine those who are there – who experience this joy for loving Christ
-- They will have come from the great Tribulation – having seen evil incarnate
- APP: We who know the truth must stand ready to proclaim the Gospel now
-- Why? To be rescued, to be found at the throne, to avoid this terrible time
-- If we are truly to show others the way, we must be devoted to Him now!
- The 144,000 give us great insight into the rewards of Heaven
-- Will we be found among them when they enter those wonderful gates?
- Pray
