144 000 с печатью Бога

Prior to Revelation chapter 7, within Revelation chapter 6 and verses 12 through 17, we saw that spiritual truth was opened up against the error of false doctrines, and the false fellowships that are produced from them. So understand that Revelation chapter 7 is a continuation of this same event that started in chapter 6.

The beginning of Revelation chapter 7 is actually related to other scriptures within Revelation (see chapter 9:13-21, and chapter 19:17-18). These chapters describe a time when the spiritual forces of the four winds (representing a false ministry) will be unleashed upon mankind.

But here in Revelation the 7th chapter, we are shown that this false ministry is commanded to not be allowed to be unleashed, until the true servants of God are identified, and they are sealed with the full truth of the gospel.

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.” ~ Revelation 7:1

These angels holding the forces of these winds, are commanded by the mighty revelation angel, Jesus Christ, that they must withhold their deception until the true children of God are sealed.

“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” ~ Revelation 7:2-3

It has been noted that the vision of the angel coming from the east, is likely a vision of Christ. The east is the same direction the temple faced symbolizing the rising of light and truth from God. This angel has “the seal of God” and has authority and power over the four angels (a ministry) who held “the four winds of the earth.”

This angel (representing Jesus Christ) commanded the four other angels to not harm the earth until God’s servants were sealed in their foreheads. The purpose was to seal the servants in their foreheads with a special grace and understanding of full truth, that would set them apart from the rest of the wicked hypocrisies of religion in earth.

Note: The Lord can and does seal honest hearts at any time in history. But this type of sealing with truth and understanding did especially take place during the late 1800s when a sixth seal ministry went forth preaching the clarity of complete deliverance from sin and division. At that time there was a movement of Christians that came out and stood clear of the divisions of religion. They did this so that they could live holy and in unity, only following the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. A revival of souls being saved came forth, and at that same time they went everywhere preaching a full gospel which spread across the USA and to many other countries. (But sadly, as with many revivals of the past, still later many again would allow the flames to cool, and a silence in general would begin to be felt.)

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” ~ Revelation 7:4

And then it goes on in verse 5 through 8 to identify how many were sealed, by tribe, equaling the total of 144,000.

But notice that in Revelation 7:4 he said: “And I heard the number of them which were sealed.” This seal caused an effect of worship from their hearts that could be sensed and felt by others, even in how they sounded.

The 144,000 are a representative sample of spiritual Israel. They represent people that needed to be “sealed” prior to a greater judgement upon falseness. But there are still many others who have been saved, and that still will be saved, so immediately after their sealing, we see and hear:

«После сего я видел, и вот, великое множество людей, которого никто не мог перечесть, из всех племен и родов, и народов и языков, стояло пред престолом и пред Агнцем, облеченные в белые одежды и с пальмовыми ветвями. в их руках; И воскликнул громким голосом, говоря: спасение Богу нашему, сидящему на престоле, и Агнцу». ~ Откровение 7:9-10

In fact, the number that are worshiping are so great, that we would begin to realize that this is another Earth and heaven combination spiritual worship service. Where in the spirit, we see people on Earth worshiping God, even as those who are in heaven, are also worshiping God at the same time.

“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?” ~ Revelation 7:11-13

It is a rhetorical question concerning who these people are. A question the elder intended to answer, but wanted John to think about. And so John responds looking for the full answer from the elder.

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” ~ Revelation 7:14-17

All these souls are now blessed for their faithfulness, by the very presence and tender watch care of God, where he “shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” ~ Revelation 7:17

So then next, following this sealing and starting in Revelation 8, the beginning of a series of judgments are sounded out against the hypocrites who are around God’s people. It is important to note that the true people of God do not take physical weapons to hurt people that are not saved! Those that are not sealed with a knowledge of truth in their minds, hearts and souls, will be spiritually hurt by these judgments:

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” ~ 1 Peter 4:17-19

This marking of the true people of God with a seal, and the taking care of their sorrows and tears because of the hypocrisy and persecution of others, has a similar pattern in earlier books of the Bible. But only the Holy Spirit can direct this sealing or marking, because he clearly knows what is in the heart.

In the Old Testament, the following sealing was accomplished prior to a great spiritual and physical slaughter upon the hypocrites among God’s people:

“And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” ~ Ezekiel 9:4

God always has recognized those who are grieved because of the ungodliness and hypocrisy around them. So in the time of judgement he has a special watchcare over his own.

Now also notice that following the great slaughter in Ezekiel, there was also an anointing placed upon the remaining true people of God by the pouring out Holy Ghost! (Please take time to read Ezekiel chapters 9 and 10 so you can fully understand.)

So now next in Revelation chapter 8, this is exactly what happens after a short period of silence. The Holy Ghost anointing fire is poured out upon God’s people!

So how about you? Have you been sealed with the truth of complete deliverance from sin? Do you have a clear vision and understanding of spiritual things in your heart and mind? Are you gathered together in worship with the rest who have been sealed by the full truth?

Note: this diagram below shows where this sixth seal message is within the full Revelation message. To better understand a high level view of Revelation, you can also see the “Дорожная карта Откровения».