Bible Groups - Digests of Bible Commentaries

The Revelation to John - Chapter 7

Revised 2013

Chap 6 ends with announcement of day of judgement - would then expect theophany of noise & lightning. But an interlude of 2 visions before the 7th seal is broken. Just as unexpected delay for some Christians before 2nd Coming of Christ and the New Age. To the prophet quiet times without persecution and tribulations were abnormal, holding back the inexorable sequence of destruction & judgement. Reminds that the end will come suddenly, like a thief in the night, yet certain things destined to happen first. Especially gospel has to be preached to whole world, everyone given opportunity to join the elect. Hence quiet times must be used to preach gospel, not for rest. The roll of those to be saved must be made up, while those who have already died in the faith are assured of their places in heaven. Similarly 2 visions between 6th & 7th trumpets (ch 10). In 1st vision the elect are sealed to protect against coming cataclysm. Then faithful Christians around God’s throne to encourage those on earth to persevere, even to death. After this interlude, might expect 7th & final cataclysm - but, no, 7 more to come.
1 Earth seen as flat table with 4 corners. 4 divine storm winds will come as signs of God’s wrath or power (1 Kgs 19:11; Jer 49:36; Ezek 37:9; Zech 6:5-6).
2 Sun rises in east. Whatever is marked by a seal belongs to the owner of the seal & is under his protection.
3 Seal will protect God’s servants who have avoided idolatry (Ezek 9:4) against coming damage to sea & trees (sealing cf Exod 12:7-14; 28:11,21; Isa 44:5). Sealing does not protect from death, but protection through death (3:10). The victorious will be given new names (Rev 3:12). Being “sealed” seems already to be a metaphor for becoming a Christian through baptism (Eph 1:13).
4 12 x 12, 12,000 from each tribe: perfection of fullness multiplied by fullness times a number too great to count - an infinite number. The new Israel embraces all people from every nation, race, etc. By time Rev written tribal identity had virtually disappeared. But draws attention to the “new Israel” (Mt 19:28; Gal 6:16). So idealised “chosen” from old Israel used as symbol for new Israel, organised as battalions in Christ’s messianic army. But conquering now by suffering in the “great ordeal”. Identity of 144,000 clarified later (14:1-5).
5 Judah first because Christ is “lion from tribe of Judah”.
6 No distinction in heaven between 144,000 from old Israel and multitude from new Israel. Or could see multitude from old already in heaven, with 144,000 on earth waiting to be sealed. Either way, the church militant & church triumphant.
8 Dan omitted because tradition antichrist would come from tribe of Dan, considered idolatrous & unfaithful (Judges 18; 1 Kings 12:28-30), and which had Satan as prince guardian..
Seismic impact in 1st C of Jew & Gentiles, humans & angels worshipping together.
9 And - in contrast - innumerable multitudes too from “every nation” - don’t need to be Jew to become Christian, as some early Christians may have thought. Or 144,000 may be select sub-group (cf 14:1-5). White robes, palm branches symbolise joy & victory. Palms also remind of feast of Tabernacles or Booths, when God’s care during Exodus remembered, and also anticipates messianic feast when everyone will come to Jerusalem & celebrate Booths (Zech 14:16-21), fuller version later (21:1-22:5). Standing before both throne & Lamb. Rev not just about disasters. Following the vision of cosmic praise, a vision of Christian hope.
10 “Salvation belongs to “ ie “let salvation be ascribed to”. IE not to martyrs’ own heroism or righteousness, but to God & Lamb. Again equally to both. Salvation is eternal life with God. Praise repeated at fall of dragon (12:10) & of Babylon (19:1).
11 Now the praise ripples out as the angels respond antiphonally to the worship song of mankind, singing Amen to mankind’s song, then adding their own.
12 Exactly 7 words of honour, symbolising fullness of praise.
13 (cf Zech 4:1-5; Ezek 37:3).
14 “Great ordeal”, may be fierce persecution by the Romans, or the last judgement (Dan 12:1) just announced (Rev 6:12-14). Presumably martyrdom continues during the great tribulation. Robes “made white in the blood of the Lamb”. Martyrs’ robes stained with their own blood; now white robes obtained not by their heroism or their own righteousness, but because of their faith in Christ crucified: the purifying blood of the Lamb. Victory has come through Christ’s blood. Implication is need for inner transformation and perseverance, but not necessarily all will suffer persecution.
15 Having come through the ordeal, they will no longer need to build shelters because God will shelter (ie tabernacle) them. The temple is the heavenly throne room, where God’s presence is, making his dwelling, sheltering those who belong to God. Serving in God’s temple symbolises being close to God, in God’s presence. In Jewish wars, when Rome destroyed Jerusalem (AD 70), no Christians died because they fled across the Jordan.
16 Echoes of Isa (Isa 49:10; Ps 121:6). Beautiful description of peace in God’s presence. The victorious martyrs are freed from bodily sufferings & needs (hunger, etc), their whole person fulfilled.
17 “Water of life” ie God’s grace, flowing from Christ (cf 21:6; 22:1,17; Jn 4:10,14). More Isa (Isa 25:8), sheep will have shepherd (Ezek 34:23; Ps 23). A profoundly moving message of hope: despite appearances to the contrary, God is sovereign and will protect his followers and rescue them from their sufferings to join this glorious litany of praise. Now we have seen salvation won for all the elect by the death of Jesus, we are ready for the 7th seal to be opened.