Monday in the Third Week of Easter

Revelation 7:1-17

The Sealing of the Saints

Chapter six ended with the breaking of the sixth seal and the beginning of the end.  The Bible uses graphic language to describe the cataclysmic events to be unleashed upon the earth.  But what we see is unrepentant and unregenerate man clinging to his sins.  Oh, he is frightened alright, but only as one who wishes he might continue in his sin and not be held accountable for it.  He calls upon the rocks to crush him rather than the Lord to save him.

But chapter seven offers a different picture, one of glory and security.  The angels are commanded to do no more harm upon the earth until the servants of God are sealed.  This seal implies God’s ownership and protection over His people.  It does not mean that they will not suffer on the earth; God’s protection over us has never meant that.  It does mean that these will not experience the wrath of God that is coming upon the earth.  Interpretations abound as to the number (144,000) and the tribes.  As the New Testament refers to the Church as the new Israel (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:29; 6:16), and as the tribe that heads the list is the tribe from which our Lord came, I am inclined to see the tribes as a symbolic way for speaking of the Church (Revelation is a symbolic book) and the 144,000 as a symbolic way of referring to the full number of believers throughout the ages coming into the Church.  The Lord sets His seal upon us, and we are His, both now and forever.

But the primary message of this chapter is how the Lord guards and protects His people while on earth through times of tribulation (7:1-8), and how they shall have a glorious homecoming when they reach the other shore (7:9-17).  They are clothed in white robes that have been washed in the blood of the Lamb – a reference to our being covered and forgiven by the blood our Lord shed on the cross for us.  That they have come out of great tribulation speaks to the ongoing trials and tribulations God’s people endure in this world.  Our constant adversary, the devil, never gives us rest but tempts us sore.  But we are reassured of ultimate victory and that one day, we shall lead even the angels and the elders and the four living creatures in a hymn of praise to our God (v. 10).  And why shouldn’t we?  How can we not sing when we abide in a glorious place where we shall “serve Him day and night,” where He shall “shelter [us] with His presence,” where we shall never again know hunger, thirst, scorching heat, or pain.  Instead, the Lamb shall be our shepherd, who shall ever be our source of eternal refreshment.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist