Series: Journey Through Revelation (Week 4 of 8)
Dr. Woodrow Kroll
July 29, 2010

Woodrow Kroll: Four angels. Four corners of the earth.

Tami Weissert: Four winds and 144,000 servants from the tribes of Israel.

Woodrow Kroll: Join us as we journey through chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation. Hi, I'm Woodrow Kroll.

Tami Weissert: I'm Tami Weissert.

Woodrow Kroll: And this is Back to the Bible.

Tami Weissert: Well, we're going to see lots of numbers in today's study; fours in particular. So Wood, what's the significance of the different numbers?

Woodrow Kroll: Again, it's a matter of interpretation. Sometimes numbers are designed to symbolize something. Here in Revelation 7, the fours seem to represent the universality of things--events, the angels activities; that's why we have four corners to the earth, universal. Other times, numbers are just totals, historical things that add up to a certain number. For example, the 144,000 that we learn about today--that represents a total; the 12 tribes of Israel with 12,000 from each tribe, 144,000.

So I think the context is the best clue to the meaning of the numbers.

Tami Weissert: OK, yesterday's study from chapter 6 introduced God's judgment. But in today's study, just one chapter later, we find salvation in the middle of all the turmoil. Why the sudden change in the action?

Woodrow Kroll: Two things really. Remember that Revelation is not entirely in chronological order. Sometimes in the Revelation, John is given additional information about a previous event. But also let's remember that it's characteristic of God to show mercy in the midst of judgment. We often see that in the Bible. God doesn't get any pleasure from judgment. So it's little wonder that we see His mercy in the midst of all this turmoil.

Tami Weissert: All right, we have much to learn from today's study here on Back to the Bible. So let's turn to Revelation 7.

Woodrow Kroll:  Every number in the Book of Revelation has significance based on the fact that Revelation is a symbolic kind of book. That is to say, there are things for us to learn that we can't learn just by reading. We have to think about these things, and we have to take the symbols that John uses to describe what is absolutely indescribable.

The Spirit of God catches him up to heaven, spiritually catches him up to heaven. He physically stayed on the island of Patmos. But heaven is cracked open, and John's getting a view of the future. And he doesn't understand this view of the future.

And God says, "Write this down." And he [John] uses the kind of images that come to his mind (God directing him) so that he can describe just how horrific this future is.

And so as he's describing the six seals that were opened in chapter 6 that we talked about yesterday; he's using a lot of images. Today, this 144,000 relate to, again, an image of a group of people; and that group of people comes from 12 different families--12 times 12 is 144 so suddenly the number becomes significant based on who it is we're dealing with here.

So, let's jump right into the passage and find out who it is we're dealing with here. Chapter 7, verse 1, notice the first words, "After these things." If you've been following us in our study of Revelation, you know that I've made a point again and again and again that you can't miss the little things in Revelation.

After these things means after six seals have been opened. Remember the scroll. No one found where they'd opened the scroll. John weeps because of that back in chapter 5.

And, as a result, an angel says to him, "Hey, John, don't worry about this. God's got it covered. The only person worthy of opening the scroll and revealing the future is the Lord Jesus."

Jesus comes; He opens the scroll, breaks one seal and reveals a little bit about what the future is, rolls it open a little more, breaks the second seal. Now, we have six seals that have been broken. There's only one to go. But after the sixth seal was broken, notice it says, verse 1 of chapter 7,"After these things."

So, before we get to that seventh seal, something's going to happen. Here's what happens: "After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads'" (Revelation 7:1-3).

OK, you know how it has been when you have been in the business of being a parent and your kids have done something they shouldn't have done, and you're trying to work out an effective correction method for them. And they're used to eating, oh--I don't know--let's say seven ice cream cones every night before they go to bed. All right seven--that sounds a little strange. Fifteen. (Laughter) Oh, let's say seven.

They have seven ice cream cones before they go to bed, and you're trying to meet out punishment to them. And you say to them, "Because of this, we're going to have to cut back tonight. So, I'm taking one away; I'll take two away; in fact, three, four, five and six."

But, before you get to the seventh, before the end of that correction measure is taken, you say, "I have to seal them so that they know that I'm not just punishing them; I'm trying to correct them." So, something happens before you finish the correction process.

That's exactly what's going on here. There are going to be seven seals opened for the scroll, seven kinds of judgment. But before you get to the last one, this angel says to the angels holding the winds from the four corners of the earth, "Don't let loose on the winds until I can seal the servants of God on their foreheads."

Now, isn't that interesting because all of you have read enough of the Left Behind books, or you've understood enough prophecy to know that there is coming a day (nd were are going to study this probably by next week.), there's coming a day when people on this earth will have to have the number 666 in order to buy and sell and do trade.

But before that even happens, I mean God is so far out ahead of judgment, before that even happens He says, "Before the seventh seal is opened more judgment comes, I want you to seal, on the earth, my servants."

Now, who are these servants? Well, notice who they are. In verse 4, he says, "And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed." Now, you see, verse 5, all  the way down to verse 9, describes who those people are: the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin.

Now, this is interesting because Benjamin, of course, is the youngest; and so he's the last, the one who's associated with Joseph in the history of Jacob's sons. Next to the last, of course, is Joseph because he was the favorite, and he came in that order.

But notice that Reuben, the original firstborn, comes after Judah in this list. I find that interesting because Reuben had to give place because of his adultery and his sin. And there are two tribes that don't even appear in this list. Now, if you are a keen student, you notice that Dan does not appear here and Ephraim is not mentioned here.

Both Dan and Ephraim are purposely omitted from this list because both Dan and Ephraim fell into idolatry. And these are the people of God whom God seals from judgment future, and they're representative of the 12 tribes of Jacob. And there are 12, but not the original 12 because two of them had become idolatrous.

Now what does this mean? It means before God allows any more judgment to happen, He's going to take care of us all. God has a history of taking care of His own, doesn't He? He promised us that we would not go through the wrath and so He snatched away His church before wrath even began; 1 Thessalonians 4. Remember the word harpazo we studied last week, the word that means "to snatch away or to take away." It's the word used in John 10:10 where Jesus says, "You are in your Father's hand and no one can snatch you out of the Father's hand."

It's exactly the same word in 1 Thessalonians 4. By the way, it's the same word for John in chapter 4 of the Revelation, verse 1 where it says he was caught up to heaven; snatched away.

Well, God has always been in the business of taking care of His own, and these 144,000 people here are God's own. Now, I've heard people argue that these are Gentile believers. I find that very difficult when it actually says in verse 4 that they're the children of Israel.

So, let me tell you what my take on this passage is. I think we are talking about Jewish people, probably Jewish people who have come to trust the Lord Jesus as Savior during the early years of Tribulation. This is the first half of the Tribulation now. And these 144,000 Jews are going to be turned-on evangelists for the Lord Jesus. These people are going to be the TV, the radio, the preachers, the writers. These are going to be the representatives of God on this earth during a very difficult time--the time of the Tribulation.

Tami Weissert: We're glad you've joined us for our journey through Revelation here on Back to the Bible. Hi, I'm Tami Weissert along with Bible teacher, Woodrow Kroll.

Now, Wood, we're talking about 144,000 and you're saying that your belief is that these are Jewish people who have come to know the Lord during the Tribulation. Explain this a little bit because the Rapture has already taken place. How is it that these people get a second chance?

Woodrow Kroll: That's the thing, Tami. They don't get a second chance. The Bible is very specific about those who have heard the Gospel and decided to reject it. Once the Rapture occurs, they will be blinded by Satan and by the Antichrist and they will not be able to respond to the Gospel that's preached during the Tribulation.

If you want to read about this, take a little peek at 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (ESV). It talks about the Lord Jesus being revealed from heaven with His mighty angels and flaming fire inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Those two expressions are extremely important. They do not know God and they do not obey the Gospel. Paul says it this way: "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord."

And then in the very next chapter, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (ESV), the coming of the lawless one (that's the Antichrist)--"The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing because [watch this] they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false in order that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

So the Bible doesn't teach that the people who reject the Gospel now during this period of history will get a second chance after the Rapture. These 144,000 and others saved during the Tribulation are people who have never heard the Gospel now and have never rejected it. They are the ones that God shows mercy to.

Tami Weissert: OK, Wood, we're not saying that just Jewish people will have an opportunity to be saved after the Rapture. This is for anyone as long as they haven't, pre-Rapture, rejected the Gospel.

Woodrow Kroll: That's correct. The 144,000 are Jewish people, but there will be a multitude of others who will now come to trust Christ as Savior.

Tami Weissert: We've already talked about the Spirit of God no longer being on the earth, being removed when the church is raptured. So what part does the Spirit have in bringing these people to salvation?

Woodrow Kroll: The Spirit of God is on the earth today because the church is on the earth today. The Holy Spirit inhabits the believer in Jesus Christ. But when the believers in Christ are taken to heaven, the Spirit returns to heaven as well. That doesn't mean that He has to be on the earth to convict people of sin. So during the Tribulation, the Holy Spirit will continue His work in their hearts, the hearts of those who believe; He's simply going to do it from heaven.

Tami Weissert: Well, I just want everyone to know that Dr. Kroll has a very helpful study guide available called Revelation: The Glorified Christ.

Now, there are several things you'll really appreciate about the study guide. First of all, it includes the full text of Revelation, so you have everything you need right in the book. And there are 14 studies and each one is full of background detail and helpful insights along with questions and suggestions to help you apply what you've learned.

Again, it's called Revelation: The Glorified Christ and it's available right now. We're also taking orders for our Journey Through Revelation CD series. So give us a call to ask about both of these products. Then place your order today. Here's our phone number. It's 1-800-759-2425. That's 1-800-759-2425.

Now let's return to our journey through Revelation here on Back to the Bible.

Woodrow Kroll: Anytime you have 100,000 people in a football stadium you have a lot of noise. Suppose you have 144,000 turned on evangelists preaching the Gospel when it was pretty evident to the world something bad was happening around them.

I mean the six seals have been opened. There's a lot of death and destruction already. It isn't nearly as bad as it's going to get, but it's a whole lot worse than it is today. So, you have these 144,000 making a lot of noise and there are going to be a lot of people who are going to listen to them. It will be, I think, easier even to believe then than it is now because you're going to have so many object lessons of the wrath of God around you all the time. So what would you expect to be the result of all of this?  

Well verse 9 of chapter 7 tells us what the result is. "After these things I looked and behold a great multitude, which no one could number. Of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, crying out with a loud voice saying salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the lamb."

My goodness! A great multitude that no one could number! I have trouble thinking of 144,000. This is a multitude which is enumerable and none of these people were believers the day Jesus came back to take His church away. So one of the great periods of evangelism is yet to come.

Well, there are lots of people who are going to trust Christ during this time. And we see this company listed as a company that no man could even number. Now what are they doing? Well, notice what they're doing. It says they are before the throne of God. Standing before the throne. Notice they're not on their knees. They are not sitting. They are not bowing. They are standing.

So far, every time someone has been before the throne of God they have been flat on their face. This is different and that is why it is important to pay attention to little things. These people come. They stand before the throne of God. They cry out with a loud voice and they say, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb." 

This is not the first time, by the way, that anyone has made a statement like this. Remember an Old Testament prophet had something to say about this? He was the prophet who got a good dose of whale belly theology.

You know after Jonah was running the wrong way from God and the great fish swallowed him up, and the great fish decided after three days, "I don't want a scraggly prophet in my stomach." So he spit him out. Can you imagine what Jonah looked like when he came out after three days of gastric juices? Seaweed wrapped around his head. Johah is spit out and he says this: he says, "Salvation is of the Lord." 

Well, eventually we're all going to learn it. These people have now learned it so they stand before the throne of God and they are testifying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb."

But don't stop there, verse 11, "And the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God."

 Now, may I ask you to do something for me? The next time you find people in the Bible worshiping and they're not flat on their face, would you let me know about it? Would you do this for me? The next time you see a church worshiping and it is flat on its face, would you let me know about that too?

Seems to me, we have missed something in the whole concept of worship. So they fall down before Him. Now they were standing, testifying. Now they're worshiping. They fall down before Him. They say, "Amen." Usually we say "amen" at the end and they are going to but "Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom. Thanksgiving and honor. Power and might be to our God forever and ever, Amen."

What a testimony! These people have come to understand what its like to experience grace in the midst of judgment, and they're on their face before God.

Now isn't it interesting here, these people who are saying salvation is of the Lord are not alone, and did you notice what they have in their hands back in verse 9? They have white robes. They have palm branches in their hands. It's not the first time people have had palm branches in their hands. Isn't that true?  You've been to Jerusalem, if you have, you've probably gone down of the Mount of Olives, through the Palm Sunday Street, which is a narrow, steep street going down from the top of the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane.

And along that street one day, Jesus came riding a colt. Palm Sunday Street. And when the multitudes gathered there, they sang, "Hosanna to God," speaking of Jesus. Now, it's interesting the term Hosanna means "save us now."  It's all about salvation.

So here again, we have these people with palms in their hands declaring salvation only comes from God. You don't get saved by being a Christian. You don't get saved by being a Muslim. You don't get saved by being a Buddhist. And, you don't get saved by being an atheist.

It's not about religion. It's about your relationship to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we recognize salvation only comes through Jesus, we won't be so worried about whether or not Christianity is an exclusivistic religion. We'll just recognize it just happens to be the truth. It's the way God presents Himself to the world through the only book He claims ever to have written.

Tami Weissert: It's a simple message: Salvation belongs to our God. You're listening to Back to the Bible. I'm Tami Weissert along with Bible teacher, Woodrow Kroll.

Wood, people proclaiming Christ when life is at its hardest--What an incredible example for us! So here's the question: How do we use Revelation 7 to motivate us to get out there and proclaim Christ?

Woodrow Kroll: Tami, sometimes it's when life is the hardest that it's easiest to talk about the Lord Jesus. It's when life is going well with us that we're more hesitant to do so maybe fearing that we'll lose the good times that we're having. I think it's evident that in the church in the 21st century, especially Christ-followers here in the West--we have it so good, we don't want to upset the applecart by talking to our friends and our family about Jesus, but we must. Good times or bad times are not the factor. Jesus said make disciples of all people not just during certain times or in certain situations in life.

Tami Weissert: Wood, who are these people in this multitude?

Woodrow Kroll: They are people, as verse 9 says, they are people from every tribe, every nation, every tongue and every people. As the 144,000 are all Jews (they are kind of Jewish evangelists), this on the other hand is a mixed multitude of people who have come to faith in Christ as a result of the faithful preaching of the 144,000. So they stand before God in white robes indicating that they too have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, just as you and I are washed.

Drama: As I watched dumbstruck, the sky split open and seemed to roll back. The universe crumbled around me and out of space, out of time came a white horse.

Tami Weissert: Hi, this Tami. And you’ve just heard a segment from The Time Is Near, Back to the Bible’s Revelation drama. Images from Revelation will come to life as you listen to this exciting audio production. So call us to order. It’s called The Time Is Near: Revelation Drama CD.

Now you can order it separately or receive it free when you place your order for the Journey Through Revelation CD series. Now let me say that again. When you order the full eight week, 40-part CD study series called Journey Through Revelation, you’ll also receive as a free bonus, the Revelation Drama CD.

So order them today by calling 1-800-759-2425. That phone number again is 1-800-759-2425.

Tomorrow, our focus turns to the very last verse of chapter 7.

Woodrow Kroll: Yes, and this is what that verse says: "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."

What a promise that is. And we'll explore all the facets of this promise tomorrow as we see yet another portrait of Jesus, the Shepherd in the midst. So plan now to join us. God bless you. I'm Woodrow Kroll. My prayer is the same for you every day at this time: That you would have a good and godly day, for of what lasting value is a good day if it's not also a godly day?

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture used in today's program is based on the New King James Version of the Bible.