Who Are The 144,000 In Heaven? Series

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!!