03.03 Between the Sixth and Seventh Seal.

Between the Sixth and Seventh Seal.
A Parenthetical Vision.

Chapter 7.

1. The Remnant of Israel Called and Sealed.Revelation 7:1-8. We reach now the first parenthetical vision. It must not be taken chronologically. The six seal judgments extend over the entire period of the age ending. The rider upon the white horse will be on the scene to the end; wars will continue to the end, and culminate in the battle of Armageddon, and so do the famines and pestilences. And the sixth seal brings the end in view. We shall see the correspondence with the seventh trumpet and seventh vial later. The trumpet and vial judgments are more intense and more terrible than any of the seal judgments. In a certain sense they are parallel; the effect of each is continuously felt. The parenthetical vision of the seventh chapter also covers the entire period of the last seven years and brings before us even the vision of what will be after the great tribulation.

How much confusion would have been avoided if expositors and Christians in searching for the meaning of this vision, had not lost sight of two great facts 1. This chapter can have no application to the Church on earth, nor to the Church in glory, for the simple reason that the Church is already complete and translated in glory. 2. The vision states clearly that the sealed company is “of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” There are to-day perhaps a score or more of little sects who all claim to be the 144,000. Holiness sects, Adventistic sects, healers, Pentecostal people and others, all claim to be the company. We feel sorry for those of our brethren who are led astray by these false interpretations. If the true interpretation of Revelation is seen, that this company is called after the rapture of the Church, these confusing theories will at once be rejected. The sealed company is of Israel. After the Church is removed to glory, when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in (Romans 11:26) the Lord will turn in mercy to Israel and call, before the judgments fall, a remnant which will also be sealed (See Ezek. ix). This remnant is frequently seen on the pages of Old Testament prophecy. We read prophetically their longings and their prayers. We give a few passages of the many: Psalms 44:10-26; Psalms 55-55; Psalms 64-69; Psalms 90; Isaiah 63:15-19. This remnant, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, will pass through the entire seven years. Many of them will suffer martyrdom. But the greater part will pass through the entire tribulation, enduring to the end and then saved by their King, our Lord, when He comes in glory. The so-called orthodox Jews will probably constitute with members of the other tribes [Note: No one knows where the ten tribes are; but God knows and He will bring them to light at that time.] this remnant. The number, 144,000, that is, 12,000 out of each tribe, must be looked upon as symbolic. It speaks of the complete government, which as to the earth, is invested in a redeemed and restored Israel. Dan is not mentioned because that tribe seems to be identified with Satan’s work during the tribulation (See Genesis 49:17). This sealed company also bears a great testimony. They are the preachers of the Gospel of the Kingdom, as a witness to all nations before the end comes (Matthew 24:14). Therefore during the time when the judgments are executed from above there will be a world-wide preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom, proclaiming the coming of the King, calling to repentance and faith in His Name, and offering mercy still.

2. The Saved Multitude of Gentiles Coming Out of the Great Tribulation.Revelation 7:9-17. The application of this great multitude, John sees next, to the redeemed Church in glory is totally incorrect. This is a company which comes “out of the great tribulation.” The Church enters the glory before that great tribulation ever begins. The great multitude represents those Gentiles who heard the final testimony and believed. They turned in repentance to Him and were also washed in His precious Blood. Our Lord speaks of them in the great judgment of the nations as sheep, who .stand at His right hand and inherit the Kingdom (Matthew 25:31, etc.). The brethren of our Lord mentioned in Matthew are the remnant of Israel. For a complete exposition see Gospel of Matthew,” by the author of this volume. This great company therefore does not stand before a heavenly throne, but before the millennial throne on earth. It is a millennial scene after the tribulation is passed. Sometimes the question is asked, will there be another chance for the Gospel hardened multitudes of Laodicean Christendom during the tribulation? Will the large number of nominal Christians accept the final message given through the remnant of Israel? In view of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 we are bound to answer this question negatively. This great company is gathered from all nations, many of whom never heard a message of mercy before. The temple mentioned is the millennial temple. (Ezekiel 40-44). And then there is a description of the millennial blessings for these redeemed nations.

Chapter 8. The Seventh Seal.Revelation 8:1-5. What does the silence in heaven mean when the seventh seal is opened? It is indicative of the solemn things which are now to come. The scroll is now fully opened and there is an ominous hush ere the seven angels step forward to sound their trumpets of judgment. John beholds these seven angels, but before they sound “another angel” is seen standing at the altar. This angel is not a creature, but like the angel of Jehovah in the Old Testament, is our Lord Himself. He is seen as the Priest in behalf of the praying, suffering Saints on earth. No angel can offer the prayers of the Saints, but He, who is the one Intercessor alone can do that. And for what do they pray on earth? For mercy for those who persecute the remnant of Israel? No! They pray for divine intervention, for the fire of judgment as Elijah did. And therefore the Lord answers them accordingly. He fills the censer with fire of the altar of God’s holiness and casts it into the earth. And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.