STS Volume 76 - Lesson 981
TOPIC: THE SEALING OF GOD'S SERVANTS
Memory Verse: "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” (Revelation 7:9).
Text: Revelation 7:1-17
The seventh chapter of the book of Revelation is an interlude or parenthesis, a period of calm and protection in
the midst of divine fury and wrath. Coming between the opening of the sixth seal in chapter six and the opening
of the seventh seal in chapter eight, this chapter reveals the sealing and protection of some redeemed and righteous
Jews, who belong to God. They will be protected from divine wrath upon the sinful world during the great
tribulation. Aside judging the unbelieving world, the great tribulation is designed to prepare the nation of Israel
for her Messiah who will "turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (Deuteronomy 4:30,31; Isaiah 59:20; Romans
11:26,27). Many Jews all over the world and multitudes in the Gentile nations will be saved during the great
tribulation. Thus, this study focuses on the sealing of God's servants and the revelation of countless multitudes of
tribulation saints in heaven.
COMMISSION TO SEAL GOD'S SERVANTS DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION (Revelation 7:1-
8; 14:1; 9:3-6; 22:4; Ezekiel 9:4-6; Exodus 8:22,23; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 6:27; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians
1:13; 4:30; Malachi 3:16-18; 4:1,2)
The passage begins with the appearance of four angels standing on the four corners of the earth and holding the
winds of the cardinal points of the universe. They are to restrain the winds from the north, south, east and west so
"that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.” But another angel cried with
a loud voice to the four angels saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed
the servants of our God in their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3). Between the opening of the sixth seal and the
seventh, there will be a brief period of universal calm symbolised by the holding back of the winds. The rising
tempests and storms of divine judgment are thus restrained until God's 144,000 servants from the tribes of Israel
(not Gentiles) have been sealed for protection.
A seal is a stamp-like symbol or device, bearing the name of the owner, which is used to authenticate something
or someone. It was customary in the East to brand the name of the master on the forehead of a slave. This seal on
each of the 144,000 Jewish servants of God, comprising 12,000 from each tribe, would be conspicuous on their
foreheads as a token of divine ownership and a pledge of safety. These servants will be saved after the rapture of
the Church. Note that all who are saved, both Jews and Gentiles, will take part in the rapture (Revelation 4:1),
before the first seal is broken in chapter six.
Question 1: Who are the 144,000 people to be sealed?
The saved and sealed Jewish servants during the great tribulation period are referred to as "the firstfruits unto
God and to the Lamb”. Other Israelites will still be saved during the great tribulation but these sealed Jewish
servants will be the initial group to be saved (Revelation 14:1,4). Every believer has a seal. The Scripture says,
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his...”
(2 Timothy 2:19). Those who claim to be religious but lack God's seal are not living under His shadow and are
exposed to demonic activities and assaults.
At the time of the sealing, few Israelites are redeemed and pure while vast proportions are yet to believe in Christ.
Those who are not sealed will not be protected from the trumpet judgments, which will come at the opening of
the seventh seal.
The tribe of Judah was named first instead of the tribe of Reuben. The latter's birthright was taken from him
because "he defiled his father's bed” (1 Chronicles 5:1; Genesis 49:3,4). "Judah prevailed above his brethren,
and of him came the chief ruler” (1 Chronicles 5:2). The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are not mentioned: the
tribes of Levi and Joseph take their places. The tribe of Dan wholly turned to idols (Judges 18:30) and the
judgment stipulated for such abominable act was to "separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel”
(Deuteronomy 29:18-21). Ephraim was also addicted to idols (Hosea 4:17) and was an ally of Israel's enemies.
All idolatrous people will not be reckoned among God's redeemed people except they repent.
Therefore, in enumerating the servants of God, a tribe devoted to idolatry cannot be reckoned among them.
However, before the millennia reign, Dan will be restored with the other tribes and will be included and counted
with them (Ezekiel 48:30-35).
Question 2: When will the sealing of the 144,000 Jews be done?
From time immemorial, God has always sealed and protected His children from destruction with the wicked. The
experience of the children of Israel in the land of Goshen attests to this fact. Also, in the day of Prophet Ezekiel,
godly men who were concerned about the idolatry and corruption in Jerusalem were marked and spared from
fierce judgment. "And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of
Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations
that be done in the midst thereof” (Ezekiel 9:4). Our Lord Jesus Christ is described as the One whom God the
Father has sealed while believers are said to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise at conversion (Ephesians 1:13). The Bible confirms that those who are sealed are known of God (2 Timothy 2:19). God's seal comes through
repentance and faith in Christ for salvation and holy living. Only believers who are genuinely saved and washed
in the blood of the Lamb will go with the Lord when He comes to take His saints to heaven.
Question 3: Highlight the significance of God's seal on His people?
COUNTLESS MULTITUDE OF TRIBULATION SAINTS IN HEAVEN (Revelation 7:9-12; Psalms 22:27;
98:2,3; Isaiah 52:10; 60:1-4; 26:9; Revelation 14:6,7; 15:2-4; 20:4-6; 4:8-11; 5:11-13; 19:1,6,8)
"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.” John saw this vision of multitudes of martyred tribulation saints in heaven after he had
seen the vision of the sealed 144,000 Jews on earth. This group of redeemed people are not from the twelve tribes
in Israel but from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues”. The multitudes gathered as victors,
with palms – symbols of triumph – in their hands before the throne of God in heaven.
It was a great surprise to John to see such a great multitude of blood-washed, saved souls coming out of the great
tribulation. His surprise was indicated by the words, "and lo, a great multitude...” Though vast numbers of
people will die in sin and rebellion during the period of the great tribulation, immense hosts of people will be
saved; they will endure intense persecution and be martyred during that same period. The storms and tempests,
the woes and the sorrows, the persecutions and the martyrdom of the great tribulation will not claim all the souls
of men for the Antichrist. Multitudes will hear the gospel through the sealed "servants of God” and get saved.
They will stand before God to praise Him for their salvation from sin and grace to endure and overcome. With a
loud voice, they will sing, "salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb”. And
the angels will rejoice with these triumphant saints and join them to offer praise and glory to God. As believers,
we should learn to give thanks to God for the salvation of our souls and other numerous redemptive benefits in
Christ (Psalm 103:1-5). We should constantly appreciate Him as we wait for the new world where our praises as
well as our happiness will be made perfect.
Question 4: Who are the countless white-robed saints John saw and why are they different from the 144,000
sealed servants of God?
Persecution is a common experience of Christ's servants. In different generations, many have been banished,
maimed, afflicted, imprisoned or killed for their allegiance to God and commitment to righteousness. Therefore,
in spite of what we may be going through at the moment, we should always remember that "all that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” This revelation of the Scripture should make us resolve to
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
It is instructive that the translation and glorification of these victors would occur at the end of the great tribulation.
Having overcome the beast and his massive army, they would join Christ to reign for one thousand years on earth.
For them to qualify to stand before God, they need to possess the celestial body suitable for habitation in glory.
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality…” (1 Corinthians
15:53,54). What a glorious revelation that persecution or martyrdom cannot hinder faithful believers from making
it to heaven! Ours is an end of shining glory, honour and eternal consolation.
Question 5: Why should believers render praises to God?
COMFORT FOR TRIUMPHANT SAINTS IN HEAVEN (Revelation 7:13-17; 6:9-11; 13:7-10; 17:6; 20:4;
Daniel 7:21,22; 8:24; Revelation 12:10,11; 1 Peter 1:18,19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:15-17; 22:3-5; 21:3,4; 14:13;
Hebrews 4:9; Job 3:17-19; Isaiah 49:10; 60:18-20; 25:8; Daniel 12:1-3)
The great multitude standing before the throne of God in heaven attracted uncommon attention. This is not the
redeemed, raptured Church because the Church had been in the presence of God in heaven, represented by the
twenty-four elders in chapter four. One of the elders round about God's throne, perceiving that John the
apocalyptic seer would be curious about them, posed the question: "What are these which are arrayed in white
robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.” John's reply meant that he who had
asked the question was better informed than himself. Then the revelation came in the answer of the elder, "These
are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb”. While on earth during the great tribulation, they had been washed and made holy by the
blood of the Lamb and had resisted the rule of the Antichrist. They "loved not their lives unto the death”; they
were "faithful unto death”; thus, they became martyrs, triumphant tribulation saints and passed through the gate
of martyrdom into heaven. "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” (Revelation 7:15).
The Scripture affirms that it is only those who are saved and pure in heart that shall see God. Thus, these saints
are in heaven because their sin-stained garments have been washed in the blood of the Lamb through repentance
and faith in Christ, the Lamb of God. Washed clean and pure, they stand without blemish in the presence of the
almighty God and "serve him day and night in his temple”. On earth, their service to God was suspended and
interrupted by the return of night and the necessity of rest; in heaven, there will be no weariness and the service
of God will continue forever. T solemn truths we learn from the entrance of these great multitude to heaven are: one, the defiled and sinful
cannot enter heaven (Revelation 21:27); two, Christ's sacrifice and shed blood is the only means of cleansing and
purity provided by God; three, everyone is required to repent and ask for cleansing in the blood of the Lamb by
faith (1 John 1:7); four, all blood-washed believers must endure persecution and persevere in holiness till the end
(Hebrews 12:14); five, the true aim of grace is to make believers pure and blameless (Titus 2:11-14); six, every
believer should make it a priority to maintain purity of heart and life (Daniel 1:8; Matthew 5:8).
The travails and triumph of these tribulation saints reveal that the Christian life is a battleground. We fight against
sin and self, Satan and his agents, society and sinful standards, suffering and sicknesses, situations and
circumstances, defeat and destitution, dangers and death. Like these triumphant saints, we must remain faithful
and pure till the end to enter heaven and receive our rewards.
Question 6: What are the essential qualifications for entering heaven and the blessings that await triumphant
pilgrims?