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.
(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,
(3)  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(8)  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
(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;
(10)  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
(11)  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,
(12)  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
(13)  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
(14)  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.
(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.
(16)  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
(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.

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Study Questions

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1. To what does the introductory phrase, “after this,” refer? Verse 1.

2. Do you think the four angels are wicked angels, or servants of God fulfilling appointed duties? Verse 1.

3. Are we to take the term “four corners of the earth” literally, or is it an accommodative term to designate four directions, that is, the whole surface of the earth? Verse 1.

4. What could the four angels holding the four winds of the earth possibly signify? Verse 1.

5. From where was the angel ascending who had the seal of God? Verses 2-3.

6. For how long were the angels of destruction to be restrained? Verses 2-3.

7. Can you think of some of the purposes of a seal? Verses 2-3.

8. Do you see a parallel between the sealing here and the mark put upon the faithful in Ezekiel 9:1-11? Verses 2-3.

9. Did John witness the sealing? Verse 4.

10. Do you think the number, a hundred and forty-four thousand, designates a literal numerical quantity or is it a symbolic figure? Verse 4.

11. What do you think of Hailey’s comment on the 144,000 given below? Verse 4.
“The most reasonable view is that twelve, the religious number, multiplied by itself and then by one thousand, indicating fullness or completeness, represents the total number of saints on earth at any given time.”

12. Do you think the 144,000 symbolizes redeemed Jews, or is there a meaning beyond that of literal or fleshly Israel? Verses 5-8. (See Romans 9:6 and Galatians 6:15-16)

13. How many were in the great multitude? Verse 9.

14. Where was the great multitude? Verse 9.

15. What is suggested by the white robes and the “palms in their hands”? Verse 9. (See Leviticus 23:40 and do a little study)

16. Would you say that the shout of the great multitude is a shout of praise and gratitude to God and the Lamb for the salvation provided? Verse 10.

17. Have angels ever been interested in the scheme of redemption? Verse 11-12. (See 1 Peter 1:12)

18. The elder asks the question that was on John’s mind and ours. What was it? Verse 13.

19. The American Standard Version translates the expression in the King James Version “they which came” as “they that come,” indicating a continuous coming. Do you have a clue about what “the great tribulation is”? Verse 14.

20. One view of “the great tribulation” is that it took place in the Roman period beginning with Nero’s persecution (A.D. 64) and lasting until the edict of Constantine (A.D. 313). The persecuted saints of this period are now before the throne of God having gained the victory. Can you think of other views compatible with the theme of the book?

21. Because of the saints “having washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” what is their reward? Verses 15-17.

22. What do you think of this statement of Hailey?
“It is clear from Scripture that at death the faithful saint goes directly into the presence of God to be with Christ. However, he is not in his final state of glory, for this occurs beyond the ultimate judgment (chapter 21).”

23. The Jehovah’s Witnesses say that the 144,000 are in heaven (the only ones going there) and the great multitude will stay on the earth, but what have we learned?