Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
May 16, 2004
The Flaming Evangelists of Revelation Seven
Revelation 7:1-17
INTRO: Between the sixth and seventh seals, we have a parenthesis, or an interlude of grace. Such a parenthesis is also found between the sixth and seventh vials (bowls) of wrath. In these interludes we see the grace of God in the midst of judgment.
The seventh chapter of the Revelation is in two parts or divisions:
1. Division one (vss 1-8), the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists.
2. Division two (vss 9-17), the salvation of a Gentile multitude (vs 9).
Revelation chapter six ends with this question: "...and who shall be able to stand?" Revelation chapter seven is the answer to this question.
I. VSS 1-8, THE SEALING OF THE 144,000 SERVANTS OF GOD
A. Vs 1, The stilling of the storm
1. "After these things..."
a) After the cosmic calamities (6:12-16), has ended.
b) After the four horsemen have made their appearance.
2. "I saw four angels."
a) Special ministers of God.
b) Special agents to administer God's plan on the earth.
3. "Standing on the four corners of the earth."
a) There are actually four corners of the earth. Dr. Henry Morris says: "...the earth actually does have four 'corners.' These are protuberances standing out from the basic 'geoid,' that is, the basic spherical shape of the earth. The earth is not really a perfect sphere, but is presumably, caused by the earth's axial, rotation, and its four 'corners' protrude from that" (126).
b) The four corners speak of the four points on the compass, north, south, east, and west.
4. "That the wind should not blow..." Judgment is held back.
a) There is peace in the midst of the storm. This peace is like the eye of a hurricane; it is not a permanent peace, just an interlude until the wind and rain rages again.
b) In scripture, the four winds are often associated with judgment (Jer 49:36; Dan 7:2).
c) There will be an eery calm.
B. Vss 2-3, god has a purpose for this interlude of grace, the sealing of the 144,000 servants of God.
1. Vs 2, "Another angel"
a) Another of the same kind.
b) "Ascending from the east," from the rising of the sun.
c) "Seal...." The kings signet seal. A seal denoting ownership and protection.
d) "The living God"-- Not an idol but alive, not a statue, but alive.
(1) Unbelievers worship dead idols.
(2) Believers serve and worship the living God (I Tim 4:10, Heb 9:14; 10:31, rom 9:26).
e) A loud cry goes out to the four angels, "to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea."
2. Vs 3, The judgment must wait until, "We have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads," the Bible says.
a) The "hurt" is put on hold.
b) The four angels must wait to release the winds of judgment upon the earth, sea, and trees.
(1) The four angels at the four corners of the earth are holding back the fierce, wild, and raging winds of judgment.
(2) Four is the number for the world. Judgment will come to all the world, all four corners.
c) God's special servants will be sealed in their foreheads.
(1) This seal is God's branding iron, marking His own for tribulation service.
(2) "The servants of God," The Greek word for "servants" is doulos meaning a bond slave, one already redeemed and faithful.
(3) Some believe that this mark is not literal but that it is the doctrine they hold in their minds.
C. Vss 4-8, the sealing of the Jewish saints.
1. Vs 4, There is no doubt as to who the 144,000 Gospel preachers are. They are Jews. This number is not symbolic; it is literal.
a) God is not finished with Israel; He still has an elective purpose for them (Rom 9:1-4; 12:1-2).
b) "Were sealed" is in the perfect tense means "to be sealed and remain sealed forever."
c) Believers today are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; 4:30).
2. Vss 5-8, In these verses, we have the list of those from the house of Jacob that will provide the flaming evangelists for the tribulation period.
a) Today Israel is in darkness; they are blinded (Rom 11:25-26). During the tribulation, God will open their eyes, ears, and hearts to the truth.
b) You will note that the tribe of Dan is not listed.
(1) Dan is described as being a serpent in Gen 49:17.
(2) Dan led Israel into idolatry in Lev 24:11.
(3) Dan set up the golden calf (I Kings 11:26).
II. VSS 9-17, THE RESULTS OF THE GOSPEL BEING PREACHED BY THE 144,000
A. Vs 9, John sees a great multitude. This multitude comes from all over the world. These folks are distinct and separate from the 144,000 sealed Jews of vss 1-8.
1. "No man could number"-- number is the Greek word arithemeo from which we get the word arithmetic. God can number them for He knows all His sheep.
2. "Of all nations" indicates Gentiles.
3. "Stood before the throne"
a) They stand there accepted in the beloved (Eph 1:6-7).
b) Rejected by the world, accepted by Christ.
4. "White robes, and palms in their hands" symbolizes victory in Jesus. Palm branches used in time of rejoicing.
B. Vs 10, Joyfully they cry out in song.
1. Salvation belongs to God.
2. These understand the meaning of salvation by grace through faith.
3. This cry is a shout of praise for salvation full and free.
C. Vs 11-12, the heavenly host praise Him.
1. Vs 11, Not only do the redeemed praise God, the angels, the elders, and the four beasts join in.
2. Vs 12, This is what the multitude round about the throne has to say:
a) "Amen"-- I believe it; Jehovah God and His Son are worthy of all praise and adoration.
b) "Blessing"-- praise God from whom all blessings flow.
c) "Glory"-- excellence, pre eminence.
d) "Wisdom"-- supreme intelligence
e) "Thanksgiving"-- thankfulness, giving of thanks
f) "Honor"-- reverence
g) "Power"- strength and ability
h) "Might"-- force, strength, might
D. Vss 13-14, The tribulation martyrs identified.
1. Vs 13, One of the elders asks John a question, not because he does not know, but because he wants John and those who read the revelation to nail down and know for sure who these martyrs are.
2. Vs 14, John admits that he does not know who these martyrs are but he desire to know.
a) "They lived into it, were redeemed during it, and have now come out of it through death by violence, natural causes, and martyrdom" (MacArthur 230). The Greek indicates that the number of martyrs will grow throughout the tribulation.
b) These tribulation saints are in the presence of God because of the blood of redemption.
c) At one time, they were dressed in old dirty garments stained with sin (Isa 64:6). Now they are cleansed and made clean by the blood (Isa 1:18; Titus 3:5; Rev 1:5).
d) "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus...."
E. Vss 15-17, Heavenly Blessings for the Martyred Saints
1. Vs 15, The continuous occupation of the redeemed in heaven will be to serve God.
2. Vss 16-17, Gracious Provision
a) Vs 16, All the torments of this life will be over. What they experienced in tribulation is behind them (16:9).
b) Vs 17, The Good Shepherd will lead, feed, and water His sheep. All tears will be wiped away for all suffering, pain, sorrow, and death is ended for them.
CONCLUSION: We should thank God for the blessings of the Gospel now and in the future.
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com