Revelation 7
Read Revelation 7 (WEB)+
1After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. 2I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, “Don’t harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!” 4I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: 5of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand, of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, 12saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?” 14I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 15Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. 16They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"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."”
Revelation 7:17
Summary
Revelation chapter 7 presents a dramatic pause in the series of judgments as the angels are commanded to hold back the winds of destruction. This interlude reveals the sealing of 144,000 servants of God from every tribe of Israel, signifying God’s protection for His people. As the vision unfolds, a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language is seen standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. They proclaim salvation belongs to God, emphasizing the global scope of redemption and the joy of ultimate deliverance. The chapter highlights the inclusion of all people in God's redemptive plan as the multitude worships God in unity. The scene of adoration underscores the sovereignty of God and His compassion in providing salvation to all who believe. A dialogue between John and one of the elders clarifies that this multitude came out of the great tribulation, having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, symbolizing purity and victory through Christ’s sacrifice. Theologically, the chapter emphasizes God’s protection and the triumph of salvation through Jesus Christ. It portrays a vision of hope and ultimate restoration, promising that God will shelter His people forever, wiping away every tear from their eyes. This assurance of divine care and eternal fellowship with God brings comfort to believers amid trials.
Key Themes
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