REVELATION 7: WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?

Revelation 7:1

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

“Four corners of the earth”

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:12)

Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land. (Ezekiel 7:2)

Here we find four heavenly beings who excel in strength, stationed at the four corners of the earth. This expression indicates the four directions of the compass: north, south, east, and west.

“The four winds of the earth”

A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. (Jeremiah 25:31–32)

And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. (Jeremiah 49:36. Judgment comes upon Elam like four winds.)

Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: but I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. (Zechariah 7:12–14. The Jews were scattered with a whirlwind because of sin and unbelief.)

Winds represent political strife, war, and social and economic upheaval and confusion among men and nations, brought about because of their separation from God through sin and rebellion. The word four here indicates the four corners of the earth, or encompassing all the earth. Throughout the world the angels are holding in check the winds of strife until they are instructed to loose them.

Revelation 7:2

And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.

“Angel ascending from the east”

Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. (Ezekiel 43:1–4. God’s glory is seen coming into the temple from the east.)

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (Revelation 16:12. Ancient Babylon was destroyed by Cyrus, a king from the east. The deliverance of God’s people and the judgment against spiritual Babylon, signals the soon coming of Christ in the glory of God and with the angels, as the true king of the east.)

“Ascending from the east” is also translated “from the sun rising.” This expression refers to the manner of the angel’s work, more than his location. The sun rises, with rays that are initially weak, then increases in strength until it shines in all its power and splendor. So the work of this angel begins in moderation, moves onward with ever-accumulating influence, and closes in strength and power. The messenger-angel, like the rising sun, grows brighter and brighter in the three-fold message of Revelation 14 and culminates in the message of Revelation 18:1–4.

“Having the seal of the living God”

Seal—a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy or genuineness)¹

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. (Romans 4:11)

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. (Isaiah 8:16)

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27)

The seal is a sign of ownership or God’s authority being recognized and followed in our lives. It proves the genuineness of our faith. In the book of Revelation it is in contrast to the mark of rebellion—the mark of the beast. All true believers in Christ are sealed by “the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:22). This seal in Revelation 7:2 includes that and more.

The seal of God and the mark of the beast revolve around the question “To whom do we give allegiance and worship?” Those who are sealed show by their lives that they have the experience of righteousness by faith, manifested by obedience to God and departing from iniquity or lawlessness, and who keep God’s Word and His law as part of their experience.

The mark of the beast and the seal of God indicate our spiritual allegiance, which is a choice of the heart and mind. Therefore, it cannot be simply a physical mark. Yet there will be outward tests that will show whether our allegiance is to God or to the beast.

The final test and controversy will be on the issue of worship. The reception of the mark or the seal will be determined by obedience to the laws of men or obedience to the law of God. Those who receive the mark of the beast may have a profession of believing God, but they obey the dictates of the beast, either willingly or by coercion. Those who have the seal of God will obey God rather than man, regardless of the consequences.

Revelation 7:3

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

“Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees”

As we hear of wars and rumors of wars, and as famine and pestilence, fire and flood ravage the earth, and evil men wax worse and worse, we can wonder if the earth is not already being hurt. True, sorrow and judgment are abroad in the land. Yet they are tempered with the mercy of God. But when the winds of strife are let loose, there will be a sorrow in the world that no man can heal. And because men will have by then sinned away the day of grace, it will be as the prophet said, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” (Jeremiah 8:22).

The answer will be no, for “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

This seal, like the seal of genuineness given to us by the earnest of the Spirit, shows the validity of our relationship with God. The final message of warning to the world in the midst of the mark of the beast crisis clearly distinguishes God’s people as those who keep His commandments, in contrast to those who worship the beast. Revelation 9:4 reveals that when the demonic forces, like locusts, are given free rein on the earth, the sealed people of God shall be protected.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (Psalm 91:1–7)

“The servants of our God”

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:35)

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:26)

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:24–25)

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:17–18)

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)

Who are the servants of God? This question is of vital importance, and it is one we should understand. But more important, we must be servants of God, for the servants of God are the ones who are sealed, protected, settled for all eternity, standing unmoved in the midst of global apostasy, faithful and obedient to Christ and His Word. John sees them in Revelation 14 as distinct and separate from the worshippers of the beast. 

“Sealed … in their foreheads”

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4)

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness to the Lord. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. (Exodus 28:36–38)

And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4)

We are now, in our daily lives, preparing to be sealed with either the seal of God or the mark of the beast. We are preparing for the seal of God by settling into the truth intellectually and in a heart experience of fidelity and love, so that we cannot be moved from our allegiance to God. Alternatively, if we are settling into error, falsehood, and sin, we are preparing to be marked spiritually and intellectually so that we cannot be moved from a decision to follow the beast when that time comes, as we have been training ourselves to obey and respect men rather than God.

The seal of God is placed upon a special group who stand for God and who pass through the time of the seven last plagues and are alive to meet Christ at His coming. There is another class of people in Revelation who receive the plagues or are hurt by “the four winds.” These people have the mark of the beast.

In contrast to those who receive the mark, Revelation 14:12 reveals a people who do not receive this mark. They are distinguished by three characteristics:

• “Here is the patience of the saints.” The saints possess a patience to follow God and His Word that is consistent, enduring, and steadfast.

• “Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” They keep by faith all the Ten Commandments of the moral law.

• “And the faith of Jesus.” They not only have faith in Jesus but also allow Jesus’ faith and life to be manifested in them. They have the same faith that Jesus had, which permitted Him to go to the cross, knowing that the love and faithfulness of God would keep Him, even though He was surrounded by darkness.

The people with this experience shall be sealed with the Father’s name or character upon their foreheads or in their experience, the forehead being the portion of the brain where the will and conscience reside. Thus the will and conscience have been fully yielded to God’s law and Word; therefore, He can seal or write His name there, because He is the center of their lives.

Revelation 7:4

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

“An hundred and forty and four thousand”

And I looked, and lo, a lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His fathers name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of great waters and like the rumbling of mighty thunder; the voice I heard [seemed like the music] of harpists accompanying themselves on their harps. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:2–3; verse 2 AMP)

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:5)

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Revelation 15:2–3)

The number 144,000 is based on the square of the number twelve, and it represents completion. This is a promise that in the last days all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, making up that “holy temple in the Lord … an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21–22). They are sealed, having the Father’s name in their foreheads, being “a glorious church without spot, or wrinkle or any such thing; … holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).

The number 144,000 is based on the kingdom number of twelve. Twelve is the number of ancient Israel, based on the twelve tribes of Israel. It is the number of the church as well, which is built on the twelve apostles. The New Jerusalem is the home of both Old and New Testament believers, for the city “had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:12, 14).

The uniqueness of this group is not so much in the number, be it literal or symbolic, but in their character and experience. They are the ones who gain the victory over the beast and His mark, not by being secretly raptured out of this world, but by remaining faithful to God in the midst of worldwide apostasy. They are like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who stood for God when threatened with death for not worshipping the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s time, and who chose to obey God rather than man. (See Daniel 3.)

Shall I obey God or shall I obey man? That is the issue by which the world shall be tested. To the 144,000 is the promise given: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

This is why only they can sing the special song of victory and deliverance. They are the ones to whom the question was addressed in chapter 6: “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17). Chapter 7 identifies the who: they are the 144,000 faithful souls who “overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). They are “the remnant … which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:11, 17).

“Of the children of Israel”

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28–29)

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:14–16. Those who are born again and new creatures in Christ are the new covenant Israel of God.)

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:6–8)

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. (Galatians 4:28)

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:7, 29)

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9–10)

The 144,000, rather than representing literal Israelites from the twelve tribes, represent the true seed of Abraham—the children of faith, the children of promise, the followers of Christ, be they Jew or Gentile. The characteristics found in the names of the following twelve tribes is a representation of the characteristics of this group of victorious saints, coming from various backgrounds and encumbered with humanity’s weaknesses, but who overcome in the name of the Lord and in the power of His might.

Revelation 7:5

Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Judah—meaning “celebrated.”² “Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter or leadership shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes to Whom it belongs, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 49:9–10 verse 10, AMP).

Reuben—“But unstable and boiling over like water, you shall not excel and have the preeminence [of the firstborn], because you went to your fathers bed; you defiled it—he went to my couch” (Genesis 49:4 AMP).

Gad—“A raiding troop shall raid him, but he shall raid at their heels and assault them [victoriously]” (Genesis 49:19 AMP. Overcome by enemies, but the people of Gad overcome at last.)

Revelation 7:6

Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Aser—meaning “happy.”³ “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties” (Genesis 49:20).

Nepthalim—meaning “wrestling.”⁴ “Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words” (Genesis 49:21).

Manasses—meaning “causing to forget.”⁵ This is the son of Joseph who turned his back on the wealth and religion of Egypt to serve Jehovah, as his father did.

Revelation 7:7

Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Simeon—“Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel” (Genesis 49:5–6).

Levi—meaning “joined.”⁶ “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lords side? and the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him” (Exodus 32:26).

Issachar—meaning “he will bring a reward.”⁷ “And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute” (Genesis 49:15).

Revelation 7:8

Of the tribe of Zebulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Zebulon—meaning “a habitation.”⁸ “Zebulon shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon” (Genesis 49:13).

Joseph—meaning “Jehovah has added.”⁹ “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel)” (Genesis 49:22–25).

Benjamin—meaning “son of the right hand.”¹⁰ “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil” (Genesis 49:27. The tribe of Benjamin is fitly compared to a ravenous wolf because of the rude courage and ferocity which they often displayed.)

This list of tribes is missing Dan from the original twelve sons of Jacob found in Genesis chapter 49. Also, in this list, Revelation begins with Judah, who became the tribal leader instead of Reuben, the firstborn, who was guilty of defiling his father’s concubine. Judah is mentioned first here because this is the tribe from which the Messiah came forth. This variation in Revelation from the list of the tribes in the Old Testament indicates that this is not intended to represent a literal tribal grouping.

Why is the tribe of Dan missing? While most of the sons of Judah had their moral failures, Dan’s prophesied characteristics were unrepented of and not overcome. This led to the exclusion of Dan from the list of victors. The 144,000 were also morally weak, as all men are, yet they overcame. Therefore, in this symbolic list of victors, Dan is not included, for he was not an overcomer.

This omission of Dan tells us that profession of religion, or belonging to the seed of Abraham or the supposedly right church, is not enough for salvation and victory. For “Dan shall be a serpent by the way, a horned snake in the path, that bites at the horses’ heels, so that his rider falls backward” (Genesis 49:17). The sin of backbiting was the sin that kept Dan from the list of overcomers.

The character traits found in the twelve tribes are the same characteristics good and bad found in all of us. Therefore, the hope set before us is, that regardless of our weaknesses we can be overcomers if we follow the Lord. Only the overcomers shall be able to stand when Christ appears in the clouds of glory to redeem His people. The 144,000 follow the Lamb and overcome the defiling practices of false religion, the beast, the dragon, and the false prophet. Let us not worry about the number itself, but let us strive for the experience of the overcomer that we might gain “the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name” (Revelation 15:2).

Manasses took the place of Dan. Even though Israel, as he was dying, blessed Ephraim the younger over Manasses the elder, Ephraim is not listed here in Revelation 7 for they lost their way, despite great privileges. Only “he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

The Old Testament reveals that Ephraim went into great apostasy; therefore, God declared through the prophet, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone” (Hosea 4:17). Dan and Ephraim stand in contrast to the overcomers represented by the 144,000. The blessings of Revelation belong to those who prevail and overcome and that can be you.

Revelation 7:9

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.

“A great multitude”

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. (John 5:2–3)

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. (Mark 14:43–44)

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. (Matthew 20:29–30)

And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the Lord, Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day. (1 Kings 20:27–29)

The term great multitude in the above examples can mean anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds to thousands, even hundreds of thousands or more. But the great multitude that is seen by John is too great to be readily numbered. Not that heavenly beings are incapable of taking a census, but the term is used to describe a vast amount of people. This description of an innumerable multitude should give us hope, for there will be room enough in heaven for you and me and all that we can influence to accept the great gift of salvation.

There will be a great multitude in heaven, the saved of all ages, who shall dwell with Christ for eternity. However, Revelation chapter 7 is largely concerned with identifying those who will stand when Christ comes, for that is the question chapter 6 leaves us with. “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

Chapter 7 comes as an answer to that question. Scripture has told us there will be a people who love God and are ready for His coming. “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:8–9).

The 144,000 who, according to Revelation 14:1–5, gain the victory over the beast, and who stand when Christ comes, will not experience death. In heavenly vision John sees them as a great multitude from all nations.

In Revelation 7:14–17 we learn more details about this multitude. Their experience is descriptive of the overcomers who pass through the time of tribulation, standing faithful to God. There will be many more of the redeemed than the 144,000, for when Christ comes, “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

The 144,000 are those who pass through great tribulation and are not defiled by the woman “Mystery Babylon” and her daughters of false religion. They “follow the Lamb” while “all the world [wonders] after the beast.” The character and experience of the 144,000 is uniquely their own, as they are the last generation of faithful saints upon the earth who are alive to meet Christ when He comes. But when Christ comes, the faithful of all ages, a great multitude, shall come forth from the grave. And we who are alive, having never tasted of death, are caught up with them to forever be with the Lord.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51–57)

“Clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands”

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. (John 12:12–13)

Clothed in the white robes of purity, and with palms (the symbol of victory and triumph) in their hands, the 144,000 and the host of heaven worship and praise God for the great redemption won by the blood of the Lamb. In their victory the 144,000 stand at the head of the triumphant saints, representing the victory of the saved of all ages. The “great multitude” in this chapter primarily represents the 144,000. Be assured however, that in heaven there will also be a great multitude of the saved of all ages, and you by the grace of God can be among that number.

Revelation 7:10

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

In loud voice they cried, saying, [Our] salvation is due to our God, Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [to Them we owe our deliverance]! (Revelation 7:10 AMP)

“Salvation to our God”

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62:7)

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:47)

“And unto the Lamb”

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 3:5–6)

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:1)

Both the Father and the Son are intimately involved in our redemption, thus salvation is attributed to our God and to the Lamb. This fact is true for the 144,000 and for the saved of all the ages.

Revelation 7:11–12

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

With the great multitude of the redeemed, gathered about the throne of God and the Lamb, the angels celebrate the goodness and mercy of God in praise and song. The angels have been working with the Father and the Son to help bring about the restoration of mankind. In fact, that is the great interest of heaven: the redemption of man.

Revelation 7:13–14

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Do you know who these are, who are clothed in white, and where they come from?” (Revelation 7:13 TLB)

“I don’t know, sir. You do,” I answered. He said to me, “These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14 TEV)

One of the elders redeemed from among men asked John to identify this great multitude he had seen. John declared that he did not know, but that the elder would know. Verse 14 declares that they came out of great tribulation. Verse 16 indicates they passed through the time of the pouring out of the seven last plagues. Verse 15 describes how they will serve God continually in His temple.

Like the twenty-four elders who were redeemed from among men, the 144,000 seem to be granted a special place in God’s kingdom, as described in verse 15. These verses describe the experiences unique to the 144,000—the last generation of victorious saints. John in vision describes them as first fruits unto God, they stand at the head of the redeemed, the saved of all ages. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39–40).

We need not fear that only a few will be saved, for salvation is for all who make Christ Lord and Savior. Indeed there will be a great multitude of saved from all ages who shall praise the Lamb through all eternity, praising Him who “hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

“Great tribulation”

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:12–14)

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

While to some degree all Christians pass “through much tribulation … [to] enter the kingdom of God,” the 144,000 pass through a time of trouble such as never was, gaining victory over the beast and his mark. But when the door of mercy has forever shut and the plagues fall upon the earth, these 144,000 will be kept, just as the ancient Hebrews were kept in Egypt during the plagues. They will pass through the fires of affliction because the Son of God will walk with them, even as He walked with the three Hebrews in Daniel 3 who were given the choice of life if they would worship the golden image or death if they rendered obedience to God.

“Washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”

Washed—(figuratively) those who by faith so appropriate the results of Christ’s expiation as to be regarded by God as pure and sinless¹¹

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7, 9)

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

Having washed their robes, the 144,000 have perfected Christian character while yet living. Theirs is a righteousness wrought in them by the merit of Christ’s blood and the power of His Spirit. Therefore, they are sealed with the Father’s name, as they will have learned to “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” They are to experience a type of what the prophet Zechariah recorded.

“And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by” (Zechariah 3:4–5).

The righteous dead who make up the great multitude of the saved are given white robes, as with the martyrs in Revelation 6:11. For in the time of heavenly judgment, Jesus will declare them righteous. The 144,000 are made righteous and sealed, while yet living, when the door of mercy shuts they are sealed and found faithful and shall be alive at Christ’s coming having never experienced death.

Revelation 7:15

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

“Serve him … in his temple”

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. (Revelation 3:12)

Revelation 7:16

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

This verse refers to the trials in the time of trouble. The 144,000 by faith “shall dwell on high: [their] place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given [them]; [their] waters shall be sure” (Isaiah 33:16). Yet their sustenance is not milk and honey and the promise of plenty. They will be sustained in simplicity as were the children of Israel, and Elijah in the wilderness, while the earth is convulsed by the chaos of the plagues.

When the pastures and all the fruit of the field lie wasted and the fountains of water turn into blood, the saints will no doubt be tested, as were the children of Israel in their desert wanderings. Yet their faith and trust in God is such that “although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet [they] will rejoice in the Lord, [they] will joy in the God of [their] salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18).

The 144,000 live through the time when power is given unto the sun “to scorch men with fire” (Revelation 16:8). Though protected from the effect this plague has upon the wicked, no doubt they will feel the sensation of this terrible heat to some degree. At the very least, they will see its terrible effects upon the world.

The elder speaking to John specifically mentions the deliverance from heat that only the 144,000 having passed through the plagues would understand.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psalm 36:8–9)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1–2)

This final promise in Revelation 7:17 is not just for the 144,000; it is to be the experience of the saved of all ages. And this promise of salvation can be yours if you will yield your heart and life to God and the Lamb, and be an overcomer.


Endnotes

1.  James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1987).

2.  Ibid.

3.  Ibid.

4.  Ibid.

5.  Ibid.

6.  Ibid.

7.  Ibid.

8.  Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).

9. Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius’ Hebrew Aramaic English Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-ROM, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).

10. James Strong, op. cit.

11. Greek Lexicon, op. cit.