Revelation 22

Revelation 22:1

The Fifth and Sixth Seal

Revelation 6:9. When the Lamb opens “the fifth seal” the consequence is different from the previous seals. There several horses with riders appeared and did certain things. After the establishment of a false peace, several actions followed that result in death and misery. With this fifth seal you see nothing happen, but you get a behind-the-scenes look of death. You see and hear individuals who cry for revenge.

This seal is not a direct judgment, but it is actually the preparation for the judgments that will follow hereafter under the remaining seals. Those are not the same kind of judgments as those of the previous seals. There things happened on earth that are a plague for men. They are things that seem to stem from their own wrong actions, although God directs them. The judgments yet to come are judgments in which men are forced to recognize more directly the hand of God.

Those who cry for revenge are “underneath the altar”. The altar is a place of offering. That appears from the description that follows. “The souls” are “of those who had been slain”. They were slain by the enemies of God. They are ‘underneath the altar’ because they offered their lives as an offering for the sake of “the word of God”, like the blood of a sacrificial animal – in the blood is the soul – was poured out at the foot of the altar (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7; 18; 30; 34). God considers their death as an offering pleasing to Him.

Here you read about ‘souls’, because these believers have not yet been raised. Their bodies are still in the grave. At the same time this makes clear that they do not belong to the church, for the bodies of those who belong to the church, will be raised at the coming of the Lord Jesus. The believers that we are talking about here, died during the time when the seals are opened, when the gospel was also proclaimed, that is, the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14). They will remain in that condition till the return of Christ (Revelation 20:4).

They did not die a natural death or because of an illness. No, they were killed “because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained”. They remained faithful to the truth of God’s Word and also testified to it. They had to pay with their lives for it and they were willing to pay that price. That’s why they were “slain”, which is the same word that is used for the Lord Jesus as “a Lamb standing, as if slain” (Revelation 5:6). What men did to the Lord Jesus, they also do to those who are faithful to Him (John 15:18-20). These souls are the first martyrs. Many of their brothers will follow in even more terrible times (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:7).

Revelation 6:10. The words they cry out are words of revenge. That also makes clear that we do not find ourselves on Christian ground. It is the language of the Old Testament (cf. Psalms 79:10-13; Psalms 137:7-9). The believers of the church do not pray for revenge on their persecutors, but for grace (Acts 7:60). After the rapture of the church this will be a prayer that is fitting to be prayed. What matters then is that God will assert His right on earth, and that can only be done through judgment. When the believers then will be persecuted they will not be delivered by taking them out of the persecution, as with the church, but by judging the enemies. Those enemies are the people “who dwell on the earth”. They do not want to have anything to do with God and do not want to be confronted with Him.

The souls underneath the altar cry out to God as “Lord, holy and true”. They long for justice for the injustice that was done to them. Thereby they appeal to God, Who understands this. After all He is holy and hates unholiness. He is also true and hates injustice. They have no doubt that He will act against evil and will thereby show His absolute sovereignty as Ruler. They only wonder how long they have to wait for that (Psalms 94:3; Habakkuk 1:2). At the same time this question indicates that they know that the persecution of the faithful will come to an end.

Revelation 6:11. As an answer to their call the martyrs receive “a white robe”. It is about a symbolic robe, for souls cannot be clothed. In the same sentence it is said of God Who is Spirit, that He is clothed (Psalms 104:2; Isaiah 6:1). In that way they receive, as it were, a high award for being righteous and overcomers. It underscores their dignity.

It is also said to them that they will have to rest a little while longer. It is about “a little while”, which is the time of the great tribulation. The group that is talking here is the first group of martyrs after the rapture of the church. There will be more martyrs joining them, namely, those who will be killed during the great tribulation (Revelation 20:4b). Those are “their fellow servants”, for they serve the same Lord, and “their brethren”, for they belong to the same family of those who did the will of God (Matthew 12:49-50). When they are killed the number of the martyrs will be complete and then the Lord will come to meet their request for revenge.

Revelation 6:12. After this brief conversation, the Lamb opens “the sixth seal”. What then happens is, as it were, an ‘advance’ of the answer to the prayer under the previous seal. An enormous earthquake will occur which turns the earth into a chaos. This demonstration of power makes of man a completely insignificant, void creature. Above the earth it becomes black and red. All of creation turns into a terrifying backdrop. It is possible that what is described here will literally happen. It is also possible, which seems to me to be the first meaning, that it is a symbolic representation.

Symbolically the “great earthquake” represents an enormous revolution through which everything that has given man firmness and support falls away from him. It concerns social, political and religious order, things that give support in life. Normally the ground under the feet is the most secure thing in life. Sun, moon and stars can be seen as symbols for rulers (cf. Genesis 1:16). When these celestial objects lose their shine and become black and red, it means that these rulers, given by God to protect order and life, are now causing darkness and death.

Revelation 6:13. These stars seem surely to be a symbolic presentation of rulers. If it would be literally true that the stars fall on the earth, then nothing will be left of the earth. That they “fell to the earth”, means that they lose their original function. What they were meant for, as an orientation for man, has disappeared. They now show their true nature. They used to be kept somewhat in check by certain Christian values and norms. Their own righteousness comes under the control of powers which they are not able to resist. Evil power will take over the control.

Revelation 6:14. God, as it were, takes His hands off His creation. The thoughts of heaven, that is of God, are obscured, without possibility of being informed about them anymore. After all, you cannot read a ‘scroll that is rolled up’. There is no more light from above, only moral darkness, making one blind to any Divine guidance. The result is that “every mountain and island were moved out of their places”. In connection with the previous verses it seems that this also has to be considered symbolically. Mountains represent immense, immoveable powers and islands are images of commercial powers. They also lose their usual functions and become disoriented.

Revelation 6:15. You may take the description in this verse literally. In the sevenfold description you can see all of humanity, from king to slave. They are all so astonished and helpless by the elimination of any human government, that they want to hide themselves. Every difference in prosperity, wealth, riches and social positions disappears. None of the economic, social or political benefits gives any protection against these judgments. They will all hide themselves “in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (cf. Isaiah 2:19).

Revelation 6:16. While they are there, they will still not feel safe from “the wrath of the Lamb”. They have come to realize through the disasters under the previous seal that they are dealing with God and the Lamb. They begin to think of God and even the Lamb (Proverbs 10:24a). It is the proof that also the unbelieving man is inwardly aware that he is dealing with God as Judge. He also knows of the Lamb and His wrath. This indicates that we are in what has been a Christian part of the world.

But how fearful they may be, they refuse to repent! They do not want to accept what they always have denied and what they are now forced to acknowledge. They do not want to bow down before the Lamb. They prefer that the mountains and rocks fall on them. They probably think that if only they die, they will be able to escape from God and the wrath of the Lamb. That also will appear to be a tragic and fatal mistake when they will be called to come before the great white throne (Revelation 20:12-13).

Revelation 6:17. People who refuse to repent are always mistaken. These people claim that “the great day” of the wrath of God and of the Lamb has come. But that is not true. It is yet the beginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8). That great day will have come only when Christ appears.

Now read Revelation 6:9-17 again.

Reflection: Mention some differences between what the souls underneath the altar ask of God and what you as a Christian ask of God.

Revelation 22:2

The Fifth and Sixth Seal

Revelation 6:9. When the Lamb opens “the fifth seal” the consequence is different from the previous seals. There several horses with riders appeared and did certain things. After the establishment of a false peace, several actions followed that result in death and misery. With this fifth seal you see nothing happen, but you get a behind-the-scenes look of death. You see and hear individuals who cry for revenge.

This seal is not a direct judgment, but it is actually the preparation for the judgments that will follow hereafter under the remaining seals. Those are not the same kind of judgments as those of the previous seals. There things happened on earth that are a plague for men. They are things that seem to stem from their own wrong actions, although God directs them. The judgments yet to come are judgments in which men are forced to recognize more directly the hand of God.

Those who cry for revenge are “underneath the altar”. The altar is a place of offering. That appears from the description that follows. “The souls” are “of those who had been slain”. They were slain by the enemies of God. They are ‘underneath the altar’ because they offered their lives as an offering for the sake of “the word of God”, like the blood of a sacrificial animal – in the blood is the soul – was poured out at the foot of the altar (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7; 18; 30; 34). God considers their death as an offering pleasing to Him.

Here you read about ‘souls’, because these believers have not yet been raised. Their bodies are still in the grave. At the same time this makes clear that they do not belong to the church, for the bodies of those who belong to the church, will be raised at the coming of the Lord Jesus. The believers that we are talking about here, died during the time when the seals are opened, when the gospel was also proclaimed, that is, the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14). They will remain in that condition till the return of Christ (Revelation 20:4).

They did not die a natural death or because of an illness. No, they were killed “because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained”. They remained faithful to the truth of God’s Word and also testified to it. They had to pay with their lives for it and they were willing to pay that price. That’s why they were “slain”, which is the same word that is used for the Lord Jesus as “a Lamb standing, as if slain” (Revelation 5:6). What men did to the Lord Jesus, they also do to those who are faithful to Him (John 15:18-20). These souls are the first martyrs. Many of their brothers will follow in even more terrible times (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:7).

Revelation 6:10. The words they cry out are words of revenge. That also makes clear that we do not find ourselves on Christian ground. It is the language of the Old Testament (cf. Psalms 79:10-13; Psalms 137:7-9). The believers of the church do not pray for revenge on their persecutors, but for grace (Acts 7:60). After the rapture of the church this will be a prayer that is fitting to be prayed. What matters then is that God will assert His right on earth, and that can only be done through judgment. When the believers then will be persecuted they will not be delivered by taking them out of the persecution, as with the church, but by judging the enemies. Those enemies are the people “who dwell on the earth”. They do not want to have anything to do with God and do not want to be confronted with Him.

The souls underneath the altar cry out to God as “Lord, holy and true”. They long for justice for the injustice that was done to them. Thereby they appeal to God, Who understands this. After all He is holy and hates unholiness. He is also true and hates injustice. They have no doubt that He will act against evil and will thereby show His absolute sovereignty as Ruler. They only wonder how long they have to wait for that (Psalms 94:3; Habakkuk 1:2). At the same time this question indicates that they know that the persecution of the faithful will come to an end.

Revelation 6:11. As an answer to their call the martyrs receive “a white robe”. It is about a symbolic robe, for souls cannot be clothed. In the same sentence it is said of God Who is Spirit, that He is clothed (Psalms 104:2; Isaiah 6:1). In that way they receive, as it were, a high award for being righteous and overcomers. It underscores their dignity.

It is also said to them that they will have to rest a little while longer. It is about “a little while”, which is the time of the great tribulation. The group that is talking here is the first group of martyrs after the rapture of the church. There will be more martyrs joining them, namely, those who will be killed during the great tribulation (Revelation 20:4b). Those are “their fellow servants”, for they serve the same Lord, and “their brethren”, for they belong to the same family of those who did the will of God (Matthew 12:49-50). When they are killed the number of the martyrs will be complete and then the Lord will come to meet their request for revenge.

Revelation 6:12. After this brief conversation, the Lamb opens “the sixth seal”. What then happens is, as it were, an ‘advance’ of the answer to the prayer under the previous seal. An enormous earthquake will occur which turns the earth into a chaos. This demonstration of power makes of man a completely insignificant, void creature. Above the earth it becomes black and red. All of creation turns into a terrifying backdrop. It is possible that what is described here will literally happen. It is also possible, which seems to me to be the first meaning, that it is a symbolic representation.

Symbolically the “great earthquake” represents an enormous revolution through which everything that has given man firmness and support falls away from him. It concerns social, political and religious order, things that give support in life. Normally the ground under the feet is the most secure thing in life. Sun, moon and stars can be seen as symbols for rulers (cf. Genesis 1:16). When these celestial objects lose their shine and become black and red, it means that these rulers, given by God to protect order and life, are now causing darkness and death.

Revelation 6:13. These stars seem surely to be a symbolic presentation of rulers. If it would be literally true that the stars fall on the earth, then nothing will be left of the earth. That they “fell to the earth”, means that they lose their original function. What they were meant for, as an orientation for man, has disappeared. They now show their true nature. They used to be kept somewhat in check by certain Christian values and norms. Their own righteousness comes under the control of powers which they are not able to resist. Evil power will take over the control.

Revelation 6:14. God, as it were, takes His hands off His creation. The thoughts of heaven, that is of God, are obscured, without possibility of being informed about them anymore. After all, you cannot read a ‘scroll that is rolled up’. There is no more light from above, only moral darkness, making one blind to any Divine guidance. The result is that “every mountain and island were moved out of their places”. In connection with the previous verses it seems that this also has to be considered symbolically. Mountains represent immense, immoveable powers and islands are images of commercial powers. They also lose their usual functions and become disoriented.

Revelation 6:15. You may take the description in this verse literally. In the sevenfold description you can see all of humanity, from king to slave. They are all so astonished and helpless by the elimination of any human government, that they want to hide themselves. Every difference in prosperity, wealth, riches and social positions disappears. None of the economic, social or political benefits gives any protection against these judgments. They will all hide themselves “in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (cf. Isaiah 2:19).

Revelation 6:16. While they are there, they will still not feel safe from “the wrath of the Lamb”. They have come to realize through the disasters under the previous seal that they are dealing with God and the Lamb. They begin to think of God and even the Lamb (Proverbs 10:24a). It is the proof that also the unbelieving man is inwardly aware that he is dealing with God as Judge. He also knows of the Lamb and His wrath. This indicates that we are in what has been a Christian part of the world.

But how fearful they may be, they refuse to repent! They do not want to accept what they always have denied and what they are now forced to acknowledge. They do not want to bow down before the Lamb. They prefer that the mountains and rocks fall on them. They probably think that if only they die, they will be able to escape from God and the wrath of the Lamb. That also will appear to be a tragic and fatal mistake when they will be called to come before the great white throne (Revelation 20:12-13).

Revelation 6:17. People who refuse to repent are always mistaken. These people claim that “the great day” of the wrath of God and of the Lamb has come. But that is not true. It is yet the beginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8). That great day will have come only when Christ appears.

Now read Revelation 6:9-17 again.

Reflection: Mention some differences between what the souls underneath the altar ask of God and what you as a Christian ask of God.

Revelation 22:3

The Fifth and Sixth Seal

Revelation 6:9. When the Lamb opens “the fifth seal” the consequence is different from the previous seals. There several horses with riders appeared and did certain things. After the establishment of a false peace, several actions followed that result in death and misery. With this fifth seal you see nothing happen, but you get a behind-the-scenes look of death. You see and hear individuals who cry for revenge.

This seal is not a direct judgment, but it is actually the preparation for the judgments that will follow hereafter under the remaining seals. Those are not the same kind of judgments as those of the previous seals. There things happened on earth that are a plague for men. They are things that seem to stem from their own wrong actions, although God directs them. The judgments yet to come are judgments in which men are forced to recognize more directly the hand of God.

Those who cry for revenge are “underneath the altar”. The altar is a place of offering. That appears from the description that follows. “The souls” are “of those who had been slain”. They were slain by the enemies of God. They are ‘underneath the altar’ because they offered their lives as an offering for the sake of “the word of God”, like the blood of a sacrificial animal – in the blood is the soul – was poured out at the foot of the altar (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7; 18; 30; 34). God considers their death as an offering pleasing to Him.

Here you read about ‘souls’, because these believers have not yet been raised. Their bodies are still in the grave. At the same time this makes clear that they do not belong to the church, for the bodies of those who belong to the church, will be raised at the coming of the Lord Jesus. The believers that we are talking about here, died during the time when the seals are opened, when the gospel was also proclaimed, that is, the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14). They will remain in that condition till the return of Christ (Revelation 20:4).

They did not die a natural death or because of an illness. No, they were killed “because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained”. They remained faithful to the truth of God’s Word and also testified to it. They had to pay with their lives for it and they were willing to pay that price. That’s why they were “slain”, which is the same word that is used for the Lord Jesus as “a Lamb standing, as if slain” (Revelation 5:6). What men did to the Lord Jesus, they also do to those who are faithful to Him (John 15:18-20). These souls are the first martyrs. Many of their brothers will follow in even more terrible times (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:7).

Revelation 6:10. The words they cry out are words of revenge. That also makes clear that we do not find ourselves on Christian ground. It is the language of the Old Testament (cf. Psalms 79:10-13; Psalms 137:7-9). The believers of the church do not pray for revenge on their persecutors, but for grace (Acts 7:60). After the rapture of the church this will be a prayer that is fitting to be prayed. What matters then is that God will assert His right on earth, and that can only be done through judgment. When the believers then will be persecuted they will not be delivered by taking them out of the persecution, as with the church, but by judging the enemies. Those enemies are the people “who dwell on the earth”. They do not want to have anything to do with God and do not want to be confronted with Him.

The souls underneath the altar cry out to God as “Lord, holy and true”. They long for justice for the injustice that was done to them. Thereby they appeal to God, Who understands this. After all He is holy and hates unholiness. He is also true and hates injustice. They have no doubt that He will act against evil and will thereby show His absolute sovereignty as Ruler. They only wonder how long they have to wait for that (Psalms 94:3; Habakkuk 1:2). At the same time this question indicates that they know that the persecution of the faithful will come to an end.

Revelation 6:11. As an answer to their call the martyrs receive “a white robe”. It is about a symbolic robe, for souls cannot be clothed. In the same sentence it is said of God Who is Spirit, that He is clothed (Psalms 104:2; Isaiah 6:1). In that way they receive, as it were, a high award for being righteous and overcomers. It underscores their dignity.

It is also said to them that they will have to rest a little while longer. It is about “a little while”, which is the time of the great tribulation. The group that is talking here is the first group of martyrs after the rapture of the church. There will be more martyrs joining them, namely, those who will be killed during the great tribulation (Revelation 20:4b). Those are “their fellow servants”, for they serve the same Lord, and “their brethren”, for they belong to the same family of those who did the will of God (Matthew 12:49-50). When they are killed the number of the martyrs will be complete and then the Lord will come to meet their request for revenge.

Revelation 6:12. After this brief conversation, the Lamb opens “the sixth seal”. What then happens is, as it were, an ‘advance’ of the answer to the prayer under the previous seal. An enormous earthquake will occur which turns the earth into a chaos. This demonstration of power makes of man a completely insignificant, void creature. Above the earth it becomes black and red. All of creation turns into a terrifying backdrop. It is possible that what is described here will literally happen. It is also possible, which seems to me to be the first meaning, that it is a symbolic representation.

Symbolically the “great earthquake” represents an enormous revolution through which everything that has given man firmness and support falls away from him. It concerns social, political and religious order, things that give support in life. Normally the ground under the feet is the most secure thing in life. Sun, moon and stars can be seen as symbols for rulers (cf. Genesis 1:16). When these celestial objects lose their shine and become black and red, it means that these rulers, given by God to protect order and life, are now causing darkness and death.

Revelation 6:13. These stars seem surely to be a symbolic presentation of rulers. If it would be literally true that the stars fall on the earth, then nothing will be left of the earth. That they “fell to the earth”, means that they lose their original function. What they were meant for, as an orientation for man, has disappeared. They now show their true nature. They used to be kept somewhat in check by certain Christian values and norms. Their own righteousness comes under the control of powers which they are not able to resist. Evil power will take over the control.

Revelation 6:14. God, as it were, takes His hands off His creation. The thoughts of heaven, that is of God, are obscured, without possibility of being informed about them anymore. After all, you cannot read a ‘scroll that is rolled up’. There is no more light from above, only moral darkness, making one blind to any Divine guidance. The result is that “every mountain and island were moved out of their places”. In connection with the previous verses it seems that this also has to be considered symbolically. Mountains represent immense, immoveable powers and islands are images of commercial powers. They also lose their usual functions and become disoriented.

Revelation 6:15. You may take the description in this verse literally. In the sevenfold description you can see all of humanity, from king to slave. They are all so astonished and helpless by the elimination of any human government, that they want to hide themselves. Every difference in prosperity, wealth, riches and social positions disappears. None of the economic, social or political benefits gives any protection against these judgments. They will all hide themselves “in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (cf. Isaiah 2:19).

Revelation 6:16. While they are there, they will still not feel safe from “the wrath of the Lamb”. They have come to realize through the disasters under the previous seal that they are dealing with God and the Lamb. They begin to think of God and even the Lamb (Proverbs 10:24a). It is the proof that also the unbelieving man is inwardly aware that he is dealing with God as Judge. He also knows of the Lamb and His wrath. This indicates that we are in what has been a Christian part of the world.

But how fearful they may be, they refuse to repent! They do not want to accept what they always have denied and what they are now forced to acknowledge. They do not want to bow down before the Lamb. They prefer that the mountains and rocks fall on them. They probably think that if only they die, they will be able to escape from God and the wrath of the Lamb. That also will appear to be a tragic and fatal mistake when they will be called to come before the great white throne (Revelation 20:12-13).

Revelation 6:17. People who refuse to repent are always mistaken. These people claim that “the great day” of the wrath of God and of the Lamb has come. But that is not true. It is yet the beginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8). That great day will have come only when Christ appears.

Now read Revelation 6:9-17 again.

Reflection: Mention some differences between what the souls underneath the altar ask of God and what you as a Christian ask of God.

Revelation 22:5

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:6

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:7

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:8

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:9

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:10

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:11

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:12

The Sealed of Israel

Here begins what can be called a parenthesis before the seventh seal is opened. In this parenthesis, which consists of the whole of Revelation 7, you hear what the believers experience during the time of the sixth seal. You will also read how they are preserved by God during this terrible time. It beautifully illustrates that God remembers in wrath mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

This chapter is, as it were, an answer to the question that was asked at the end of the previous chapter: ‘Who is able to stand?’ (Revelation 6:17). The answer is: A great number of saints, both from Israel (Revelation 7:1-8) and from the nations (Revelation 7:9-17), is able to stand before God and the Lamb. Both groups of believers will go through the great tribulation. They will not die like the martyrs, but they will enter the kingdom of peace alive. The first group will be sealed before they enter the great tribulation, the second group is presented as coming out of the great tribulation.

Revelation 7:1. That the scene which John gets to see now follows the preceding one is evident from the words “after this”. After having seen the Lamb That opens the seals, John now sees “four angels”. When the trumpet judgments break loose in Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets happens by angels (Revelation 8:2; 6). Here you also see angels. Angels are used by the Lamb to do His work. That work consists of protecting the saints (Hebrews 1:14) and judging evil in accordance to the purity of heaven, the dwelling place of the angels.

The four angels are “standing at the four corners of the earth”. That means that the whole earth is their work territory (cf. Isaiah 11:12). The number ‘four’ that appears three times in this verse speaks of what is general, universal. While they are standing there they are “holding back the four winds of the earth”, so that these winds cannot cause destruction. The sealing of the chosen of God happens in silence.

When the four winds start to blow, animals as symbols of rulers of world empires will come up from the sea of nations. You read about that in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:2-3; cf. Jeremiah 49:36). Here they are still hold back. God determines the time of their coming up, but also of their curbing for the benefit of His own (Psalms 105:15). They are ‘held’ as they try to tear themselves away. But it is impossible to extricate oneself from the grasp of the Almighty.

Revelation 7:2. Then John sees “another angel ascending”. He comes from the east, from the side where the sun rises. When the sun rises, a new day dawns. This speaks of the rising of “the sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), which is Christ, Who expels the darkness and causes the dawning of the day. This ‘other angel’ is not a picture of Christ. In the next verse he places himself on the same level with the four angels when he speaks about ‘we’ and ‘our God’.

The angel has “the seal of the living God”. A seal is a mark of ownership. ‘The seal of the living God’ makes clear that he who has it, belongs to Him and is known by Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore the seal also means safety at the same time (cf. Ezekiel 9:4). It is the seal of the living God, which means that whoever has it is untouchable from death.

When God is called ’the living God, then it is also to emphasize the contrast between Him and the dead idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). This is how He is called also in connection with Israel in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4; 16), which is at the beginning (Joshua) and at the end (Hezekiah) of its history in the land. As He intervened in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah for the benefit of His people, so He will in the time of the great tribulation. During that time, He will lead and preserve His people through the general idolatrous worship of the antichrist and the beast.

The angel gives a command on behalf of God to the four angels who have power over the winds. The winds want to harm but they cannot, because they are held back by the angels. Only when the angels let them loose they will be able to do their damaging work. That means that it is not the winds that have the power to harm the earth and the sea, but the angels are the ones that have the power. In the same way angels have power over fire (Revelation 14:18) and over water (Revelation 16:5). However, they do not act on their own, but they are under the authority of God.

Revelation 7:3. Those who are sealed are “the bond-servants of our God”. They are the chosen ones from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4) who serve God. Their service seems to consist of the proclamation of His Name, the preaching of the living God, while everything around them has no regard for Him. They will preach both in Israel and in the whole world and they will continue their service with which the twelve apostles have started when the Lord Jesus sent them out (Matthew 10:23; Matthew 24:14). It seems that the result of their preaching is ‘the multitude’ which the second part of this chapter is dealing with.

It does not say what this seal exactly is. Possibly it is the name of God and the Lamb which they get on their forehead (cf. Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4; Revelation 3:12). There is something to be said for that when you consider that the wicked have the name of the beast on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9; 11; Revelation 20:4). They are sealed “on their foreheads”. In that way it is a clearly observable mark to everyone that they have focused their thoughts on God and that God acknowledges them as His own (cf. Revelation 13:16). They openly testify of His Name in each part of the world wherever they are scattered. The angel confirms that the sealing is the reason why the winds were held back.

Revelation 7:4. The number of the ones who are sealed is communicated. It is one hundred and forty-four thousand. It is also mentioned who they are. They are “the sons of Israel”. It is also said that they come from every tribe. The further announcements show that from each tribe comes the same number of the sealed: twelve thousand.

The numbers have a symbolic meaning, not excluding the possibility that they should be taken literally. It is possible that in the time of the great tribulation one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God will go out in Israel and in the whole world to proclaim His Name. But the symbolic meaning is important. The number twelve, which also in the multiples of one hundred and forty-four and twelve thousand stands at the forefront, is in the Bible always the number of perfect reign and government.

This number is especially connected with Israel. At the beginning of the history of this people are the twelve patriarchs. This nation consists of twelve tribes. The breastplate of the high priest had twelve stones which represented the whole nation. Out of this nation twelve apostles were called. The twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel indicate a worldwide government, for the territory of their service is the world.

Revelation 7:5-8. In the Bible we find almost thirty lists of names of the sons of Jacob, with the order of the names not always the same and sometimes a single name being replaced by another. This list that John gives, is headed by Judah. Not Rueben, the firstborn, comes first, but Judah, the royal tribe. That is also understandable, for Judah is the tribe from which the King of kings, Christ, came forth after the flesh (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9).

The tribe of Dan is not mentioned. The reason for that is not said. It is possible that it is because Dan has introduced the idolatry in Israel (Judges 18:30-31). That does not mean that Dan loses his place in the land, for he will have his part of inheritance in the millennial kingdom of peace (Ezekiel 48:1-2). The important thing is that God cannot use anyone from his tribe to testify to Him as one of His sealed people when the idolatry is general. Manasseh, the son of Joseph, takes the place of Dan.

Now read Revelation 7:1-8 again.

Reflection: How can you show your ‘seal’, meaning: how can you show that you are of the living God?

Revelation 22:13

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:14

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:15

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:16

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:17

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:18

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:19

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:20

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.

Revelation 22:21

The Great Multitude From the Nations

Revelation 7:9. As mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, this chapter deals with two groups of believers. The group that you paid attention to in the previous section consists of believers from Israel. The distinction between that group and the group that you now have before you is the multitude from every nation and not from Israel. It is also a group that no one can number, while the one from Israel is numbered. Another difference is that the first group gets the seal before the great tribulation begins, while the second group comes forward when the great tribulation is over (Revelation 7:14).

The fact that the first and second group of believers is presented distinctively, is also a proof that the time of the church is over, for in the church is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Another remarkable fact is that it is not about resurrected believers, but about believers on earth who are alive. There are neither indications that they have died nor that they have glorified bodies. They also stand before the throne on earth and do not sit on the thrones.

They are clothed with “white robes” and have “palm branches in their hands”. The white robes speak of purity which they have gained through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). That’s how they have been made acceptable to God. The palm branches in their hands are the picture of the triumph that they have achieved over all resistance to which they were exposed. The white clothes were given to them, the palm branches are what they have deserved.

Revelation 7:10. They give all honor to God and the Lamb for their salvation, because They have guided them through the great tribulation and protected them against all hostility. As a result, they now enter the full “salvation”, which is the salvation of the millennial kingdom of peace, as living ones. They are aware that they owe everything to God and the Lamb, and they express it.

Revelation 7:11-12. The praise of those who were preserved during the great tribulation, finds resonance in heaven with all the angels. Angels were used by God in that time as the executors of His judgments, but they are also the protectors of those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are standing “around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures”. The elders have made their praise heard in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:9-10) and the four living creatures in chapter 4 (Revelation 4:8). Here the angels are doing it, as also in chapter 5 (Revelation 5:11-12).

Their praise begins with “amen” and also ends with it. They agree with the praise of the countless multitude. They also confirm their own praise by that, because He has brought everything to a good end. Their praise is sevenfold, as in Revelation 5 (Revelation 5:12). Everything they say belongs to God and they ascribe all to Him. All these features or characteristics have become public in His acts, in the fulfillment of His plans. Let this sevenfold expression sink in and say to God with each aspect: ‘This belongs to You!’

Revelation 7:13. Possibly surprise came on John’s face at the sight of this scene. He does not know what he should think of it. What kind of people are they and where do they come from? One of the elders noticed it and responds. He puts into words what occupies John’s mind. It is also good for us to pay attention on someone’s face when we tell something about God’s Word that he may be hearing for the first time.

Revelation 7:14. John does not try to hide his ignorance by attempting to formulate an answer. By speaking out the words “my lord, you know” he acknowledges the insight of the elder with due respect. He takes the place of a pupil. That is the right attitude and mind to receive teaching and to understand it. In his reply, the elder deals first with his last question, which is the question where they come from. He says that it concerns people “who come out of the great tribulation” and who came to faith in that time through the testimony of the ‘brothers of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:31-40). He speaks about the great tribulation. The article “the” makes it clear that this is not some indefinite tribulation, but about the known tribulation, the time of distress (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; cf. Matthew 24:21).

Then the elder answers the question who they are. He does that by pointing at their robes and what had happened to those robes. They have long, full-body covering robes. These robes are purified and made white. The means through which it happened is “the blood of the Lamb”. Robes or clothes represent your conduct, it is what people see of you. By your conduct you reveal who you are. The conduct of the unbeliever is sinful. As a believer you are a new creation and your environment will see that by your conduct.

That this multitude has washed its robes in the blood of the Lamb implies an important truth. That truth implies that the blood not only purifies the believers of the church from their sins, but that the blood is the only way for purification of any sin from any believer of any time. Everyone who is saved is so on the basis of the shed blood of the Lamb, whether Old Testament or the New Testament believers or believers after the rapture of the church. That the blessings connected to it are different, is not the point here.

Revelation 7:15. Because of their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb they are able to appear before the throne of God and to serve Him. In their white robes they are made suitable to be in His presence. They are not there by their own achievements, but by grace. That grace also makes willing to serve God. Serving God happens in the temple of God on earth, by both Jews (Ezekiel 40-47; Luke 2:37) and Gentiles (Isaiah 56:6; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16). They will exercise this service without interruption, “day and night” (cf. Luke 2:36-38). What a privilege!

In His turn the Lord Jesus will serve them. He is in the first place the Ruler, then the One Whom they worship and then He is their Protector and Benefactor. He will make them enjoy His presence and protection (Isaiah 4:5-6). By spreading His tabernacle over them they will always be in the secret place of His tabernacle (Psalms 27:5). In that tabernacle they sought their refuge in the day of trouble and now they may dwell in it always in peace and quiet. That also goes for you. Your relationship with the Lord in the perfection will not be different from now. Only the circumstances are different, He is not. Everything will be perfect and will be uninterruptedly enjoyed.

Revelation 7:16. After the great tribulation in which they have suffered great shortage (Revelation 13:17), a time comes in which they will lack nothing. Through the mercy of God an end will come to all hunger, thirst and heat which they have suffered (Isaiah 49:10).

Revelation 7:17. This change in their situation is the result of the reign of the Lamb. All blessings begin with the throne (Revelation 7:15) and go back to the throne, because the Lamb is there. He is the Shepherd Who shepherds His sheep. He makes sure that they have no lack of anything. For this He “will guide them to the springs of the water of life”. That speaks of an abundance of life that is freely available. In that way an abundant refreshment is available which makes life a great joy.

That refreshment you can now already find in the Word of God which is a fountain full of living water, for it is all about Him, Who is the living water. To the last page of this book He invites you to come to Him and drink (Revelation 22:17). That invitation applies to the unconverted man, but applies to the believer as well. If you drink from Him, you can have an unspeakable joy in your heart, although you are still in a world full of sorrow (2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8).

Every hardship has disappeared from the life of this multitude. No more thought is given to it (Isaiah 65:17). The remembrance of it will be erased by God Himself. He does that as it were with His own hand. He does not do that with a big swing. No, He pays attention to “every tear”. Every tear that is shed by one on His children in His sight, will be known by Him and will be taken away by Him with His own hand (Psalms 56:8). The time of sorrow is over, the ‘time of singing’ has arrived (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Only then will all misery for believers have come to an end. This is one of the many indications that a gospel which proclaims ‘Prosperity NOW’, the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’, is a false gospel.

Now read Revelation 7:9-17 again.

Reflection: Which blessings are the portion of the great multitude and which of them are your portion as well? Thank God for them.