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June 22nd, 2013

6/22/2013

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Rev 7:1-17
Seventh chapter is an interlude between sixth and seventh seal.
This chapter is an answer to the question posed at the end of the 6th chapter.
6:17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”
Here in this 7th chapter we will see who withstood the wrath of God.
Only two categories of people are distinctly mentioned here.
They are the born again Christians from Jews as well as from the rest of world.
They will become Christians during the Tribulation period.
First 8 verses deal with people of Israel and the remaining with all people.
1st verse talks about four mighty angels holding the winds blowing on the earth.
Winds are God’s gift to the planet earth creating an atmosphere for rain, diluting the pollution, and life on earth.
God’s judgment will come from all directions on earth and it is global.
The only purpose to withhold the winds is to put a seal on forehead of the servants.
Apostle John uses the expression servants means to serve God’s purpose.
Verses 4-8 describe the list of all the servants who get the seal on their forehead.
The angel chooses 144000 people from the tribes of Israel.
God selects them as bond servants to serve HIM during the tribulation period.
These Israelites are the first converts of the Tribulation period.
Verse 9 reflects upon the privilege of the converts due to evangelistic work of 144000.
This is the work of 144000 Billy grahams on fire during the tribulation period.
Two things are crystal clear, one is these people are from all over the world.
The second is that they were wearing white robes and holding palm branches.
White robes signify the imputed righteousness of Christ on them.
They only have righteousness from the death of Lord Jesus for their sins.
These are not the sealed people but are gathered all over the world during the tribulation.
The verse in Matt 24:14 comes true to the letter at this time. 
In verse 10-12 we see the heavenly choir is getting bigger and bigger.
“Salvation belongs to our God” means God is the source or origin of our salvation. 
Salvation belongs to God because it is entirely HIS work and no one gets the credit.
All around the throne they fell down before God and worship HIM.
In verse 13-14 we are given to understand that the white robed people are the new converts and they are killed for their faith.
The white robed people are the new arrivals of martyrs from the great tribulation.
They belong to the last three and one half years of the Tribulation.
Now they stand without sin before God.
Verses 15-17 reflect upon what they had suffered in their earthly life and how God comforts them in heaven.
They will be persecuted, will be punished and eventually will be killed for their faith.
They experience hunger, cruelty, merciless torture in the hands of the world.

Today, exercising one’s faith in Christ is not that difficult in many countries except some Islamic and communist countries.
Believing in the Lord Jesus may become a great risk for some today.
But in the seven year tribulation it will be the most challenging times for the converts.
They will go thru untold persecution in the hands of the world under Anti-Christ.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
In Heaven the Lord Jesus Christ personally shepherds these martyrs by leading them to fountains of living water.

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    Author

    Pastor John Sesham
    Abundant Grace Community Church, Hayward.

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