 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. A Great Multitude from Every Nation9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Meditation The Holy Spirit seals the saints of God. Through the Spirit, God “sets His seal of ownership” (2 Corinthians 1:22), marked by the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) to protect until the “day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The seal of God gives identity, ownership, and protection. The question, “Who can stand in the great day of God’s wrath?” (6:17) is answered. The sovereignty of God holds back the severity of God’s judgement (1) so sealed saints can persevere through the problems and pains of tribulation (2-8). The heavenly reward awaiting sealed saints is marked by security and sanctity, centered on a song: “Salvation belongs to our God (9-17)!” Sealed saints will persevere to participate in God’s forever peace and praise. The seal does not protect the persevering saint from physical trials through which they must pass. The sealing empowers saints to respond in faith to trials, transforming tribulation into something that strengthens our faith. The background of Ezekiel 9 reinforces this reality, God’s faithfulness sealing His remnant so not even satan and his powers can harm those whom the Shepherd has bought with His blood. Believers are secure in God’s steadfast love. The promises of peace and praise are for all people who persevere. There will be a day when all sad things will become untrue, when shelter provided by the full presence of God will give eternal springs of water, removing the water from our eyes. No more tears or troubles will find the saints. The Lamb is on the throne and we are secure in His steadfast love. Richly Dwelling -Why is it significant that the sovereignty of God not only holds back the severity of suffering but also seals the saints to endure the trials and troubles of the tribulation? -Are you living in the security of being sealed by God’s Spirit? Why or why not? -How does the promised security, serenity, and sanctity fuel your hope and form you for present perseverance through the problems and pain of life? Key Verse 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Comments are closed.
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