Revelation 7 – A Victory Lap!
SLIDE
If someone were to ask you, “How many people do you think will be in heaven?” What would you say?
There might be a variety of answers to that question. We are going to look at a passage today with a number that a lot of people have focused on – 144,000 – but what is unfortunate is that some focus so much on that number that they fail to see the message that John is trying to communicate.
Thanks for joining us today as we continue through our study of the book of Revelation. The more I do study for this sermon series the more I discover that I don’t know! But that is a good thing in a way because we should always have that need or desire to want to know more about God and understand what He has to teach us.
The one thing I do understand and know is that the book’s theme can be summarized in two words: “We Win!” That statement implies a couple of things.
First, “we” it’s not just about me. It is about the followers of Jesus, the church. Sometimes I think our mindset of the church is way too small. We might think of a building. We might think of the group of people we worship with. Those are not necessarily wrong, but that is just too small. The “Church” is all of God’s people throughout history around the world. That is not a small group. There is a lot of “we” to that idea.
The second word of the theme is “Win”. In order to win you’ve got go through some type of event – sometimes it is a struggle or battle. To “win” also implies that there are winners and there are losers. We all want to be on the winning side. To be on the winning side we need to do what it takes to win.
To apply all of this to our study of Revelation, I want us to see what God expects us to do to be on the winning side and what some of the things we will go through as we are working towards the victory.
I want to start this morning with a brief teaching section on understanding the message of the book as a whole.
Revelation is not a book like most novels or histories we might read. It is not necessarily a chronological story. It uses images and symbolism to paint a picture of things that present a message.
Last week I briefly presented the idea of three sections of Revelation that present a big part of the story of Revelation. I presented the idea of three overlays that all present the same basic picture or teaching but done with different images. The second and third section build on the first, presenting a more complete picture.
Some call this Progressive Parallelism – each overlay all point to the same theme – Opposition will come in various ways against Christianity and this opposition will intensify as the coming of Christ draws closer and closer. In the end Christ is victorious over Satan and that victory makes his followers victorious.
In the three overlays each section begins with evil’s presence - suffering and opposition to Christianity. Each section ends with worship and celebration of Christ’s victory.
There is also a degree of progress in each section as more details are provided in each.
SLIDE
Overlay 1 – The Seven Seals – ¼ of creation impacted Rev 6:1 – 8:5
4 horsemen out to cause chaos and havoc in 25% the world
The faithful are given white robes and told to wait a little longer
God’s people gather together to give praise and worship to God.
SLIDE
Overlay 2 – The Seven Trumpets – 1/3 of creation impacted - Rev 8:6 – 14:20
Trumpets 1 -4 present a picture of destruction and chaos on earth
Trumpets 5 - 7 present a picture of heavenly worship and the conflict of the beast and the Lamb, with the Lamb being victorious
SLIDE
Overlay 3 – The Seven Bowls of Wrath – 100% of creation impacted - God’s Wrath is Complete -15:1 – 16:20
God’s complete judgment is given, leading up to the final confrontation of the power of Satan (the Beast) and the Victorious Lamb (Jesus).
Big Picture – the three sections show us a picture of what mankind has gone through and will go through leading up to the return of Jesus.
Let’s zoom in and focus on the end of the first overlay – the opening of the 6th and 7th seal.
The first seals that were opened, that we looked at last week, presented a picture of opposition and chaos, with the followers of Jesus being given the promise of eternal life and told to wait a little longer for the final judgment.
The opening of the 6th seal gives us a picture of the church – God’s people and the celebration victory that is yet to come – eternity in heaven.
SLIDE
Rev 7:1-47 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice
SLIDE
to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
Before commenting on the number 144,000, that everybody likes to focus on, I want to point out a couple of things.
Even in the midst of chaos and confusion – God is still in control. He sends an angel with His seal – a sign of authority and authenticity and power. He is the one who delivers the message and instructions – “I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice”
I don’t believe the “seal on the forehead” is a literal, visible seal. The forehead is representative of the mind, reasoning center. This is consistent with the teaching of Paul when he says in1 Cor 2:16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
The “seal” on the forehead is a recognition by God of those who have “the mind of Christ”, who are fully devoted to following Him. Those are the servants of God.
Concerning the number 144,000 There have been different ideas presented on this.
Some think this is a number limiting the number of people who will be allowed in heaven. The Jehovah Witnesses teach and believe this. They have attempted over history to count how many they think are in and the number keeps changing. I don’t have the time to go into details on all of this but let me simply say I think they have it wrong.
I think the number represents the church – all those who follow Christ – Jews that have come to accept Jesus and Gentiles who come to accept Jesus. Why is the 144,000 not a limitation?
Simply read on in the passage:
SLIDE
Rev 7:9-10 9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." NIV
This clearly presents a picture of a multitude of people that cannot be counted before the through of God in heaven giving worship to God.
Eternal life is open to everyone. It is not limited by a specific number. But the reward may come at the cost of some pain and suffering along the way.
The white robes represent those receiving eternal life, and in some places Revelation it means they had been martyred for their faith.
I’m glad that God is honest with us in His word. He doesn’t sugar coat the truth of the struggles we will may face in this life.
But with those great struggles He gives some great promises.
I like the words of the Apostle Paul when he says in 2 Cor 4:16-18
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Just listen to the end of the message John sees and get a glimpse of the glory of heaven:
SLIDE
Rev 7:11-17 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one
SLIDE
of the elders asked me, "These in white robes — who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the
SLIDE
throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
Conclusion
The troubles and trials of this life are a reality and so are the rewards waiting for those who put on the “mind of Christ” and who choose to serve Him.
Phillip Yancy tells the story of some Americans in a World War II German prison camp who, unbeknownst to the guards, built a makeshift radio. One day news came over the radio that the German high command had surrendered, ending the war, but because of a communications breakdown, the German guards didn’t yet know. It wasn’t until four days later that the Americans woke to find the Germans had fled, leaving the gates unlocked.
In the three days prior to that, those prisoners still suffered. They were still mocked, still abused, but they were changed. They celebrated among themselves, told jokes, and in the midst of their captivity, they sang.
Why? Because they knew their salvation was coming.
In Revelation 7, we get a news bulletin about the future.
The time is coming when we will will stand before the throne. Our salvation is sure when we follow Christ, take on the mind of Christ, and serve Him faithfully.
So, what is God’s message to us – We Win!
Handout Revelation 7 – A Victory Lap!
The book’s theme can be summarized in two words: “_____ ___________!”
First, “we” it’s not just about me. It is about the followers of Jesus, the church.
The second word of the theme is “Win”. To be on the winning side we need to do what it takes to win.
I want us to see what God expects us to do to be on the winning side and what some of the things we will go through as we are working towards the victory.
How is Revelation different from most novels or histories we might read?
Progressive Parallelism – each overlay all point to the same theme – Opposition will come in various ways against Christianity and this opposition will intensify as the coming of Christ draws closer and closer. In the end Christ is victorious over Satan and that victory makes his followers victorious.
Overlay 1 – The Seven Seals – ¼ of creation impacted Rev 6:1 – 8:5
4 horsemen out to cause chaos and havoc in 25% the world
The faithful are given white robes and told to wait a little longer
God’s people gather together to give praise and worship to God.
Overlay 2 – The Seven Trumpets – 1/3 of creation impacted - Rev 8:6 – 14:20
Trumpets 1 -4 present a picture of destruction and chaos on earth
Trumpets 5 - 7 present a picture of heavenly worship and the conflict of the beast and the Lamb, with the Lamb being victorious
Overlay 3 – The Seven Bowls of Wrath – 100% of creation impacted - God’s Wrath is Complete -15:1 – 16:20
God’s complete judgment is given, leading up to the final confrontation of the power of Satan (the Beast) and the Victorious Lamb (Jesus).
Big Picture – the three sections show us a picture of what mankind has gone through and will go through leading up to the return of Jesus.
Let’s zoom in a focus on the end of the first overlay – the opening of the 6th and 7th seal.
The first seals in chapter 6 that were opened presented a picture of opposition and chaos, with the followers of Jesus being given the promise of eternal life and told to wait a little longer for the final judgment.
The opening of the 6th seal gives us a picture of the church – God’s people and the celebration victory that is yet to come – eternity in heaven.
Read Rev 7:1 – 4
Even in the midst of chaos and confusion – God is still in control.
I don’t believe the “seal on the forehead” is a literal, visible seal. The forehead is representative of the mind, reasoning center.
The “seal” on the forehead is a recognition by God of those who have “the mind of Christ”, who are fully devoted to following Him. Those are the servants of God.
Concerning the number 144,000 There have been different ideas presented on this.
Some think this is a number limiting the number of people who will be allowed in heaven but it is not.
Revelation 7:9-10
This clearly presents a picture of a multitude of people that cannot be counted before the through of God in heaven giving worship to God.
Eternal life is open to everyone. It is not limited by a specific number. But the reward may come at the cost of some pain and suffering along the way.
But with those struggles He gives some great promises.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Just listen to the end of the message John sees and get a glimpse of heaven:
Read Revelation 7:11-17
Conclusion
The troubles and trials of this life are a reality and so are the rewards waiting for those who put on the “mind of Christ” and who choose to serve Him.
In Revelation 7, the oppressed believers get a news bulletin about the future. The time is coming when they will stand before the throne. Their salvation is sure and knowing that makes all the difference.