Lesson 19Revelation 7: 5-12 |
There are two schools of thought about the period of calm in Revelation 7. Some believe that this is a look back before the seals of the scroll are opened, before the tribulation. Others think this period occurs before the great tribulation. In any case, at this time, the saints of God who are covered already with the BLOOD OF JESUS are now going to receive the seal of the living God on their foreheads. So there are 144,000 Jews that come to the knowledge and belief in Him after the rapture. These 144,000 are Jews and NOT Gentiles. This puts a hole in the thinking that only a 144,000 are going to Heaven. We will examine this more later, but lets look a little closer at where the 144,000 come from.
There is one daughter born to Jacob (Israel), named Dinah, and 12 sons as listed in Genesis 46. There is a difference in the sons or tribes listed in Revelation 7:5 - 8.
|
*"Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses." Numbers 2:33 Also, note that Joseph is not listed in Numbers, because both of his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, are listed and counted by God.
The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are missing in Revelation 7. They are replaced with Levi and Manasseh. The tribe of Levi, the Levites, is the priestly tribe. The Levites were not given land, but they were told to dwell among the children of Israel. Do you know why they were told to do this? (Read Numbers 1:47-54; 2:33-34; 3, 4; and Joshua 13-22.)
The Levites were to show and to keep the tribes of Israel in a right relationship with God. The Levites functions were like unto the Holy Spirit of today, except the Holy Spirit does not fail at His job. We fail to listen to Him and follow His orders, which cause many problems.
Why is the tribe of Dan removed from the list (blessing)? In order to answer that question we need to read Judges 18. Some questions should come to your mind about Judges 18.
1) Why could they not wait on God to give them more land? Had He not given them that land already? (Joshua 19:40-48) Why did they not trust God to help them?
2) Why was the priest out of place?
3) Why did these people turn from the true God to serve idols?
4) Why were five men able to make the people follow them in order to get and serve the idols?
These actions caused the tribe to lose their birthright in Heaven. Are you causing someone to miss or lose his or her right to God? The priest was not to be a priest to only one person but to serve a tribe. Remember the Levities were to be scattered among the tribes and the tribes were to take care of the priest's needs as they served God and the people. In that role, they were to keep the people away from sin and serving God in their daily walk. Therefore, they had no inheritance here on earth, yet they get the real inheritance, which cannot be taken from them.
In Revelation 7:9, we have a statement that goes against the belief that ONLY a 144,000 believers will be in heaven. In this verse, John says that he sees an immense number of people that no one could count. These people come from nations (non-Jewish), kindreds (races), people, and tongues (languages). This just goes to show that God is no respecter of people. For there are folks thinking that when they get to heaven it will be all white, or all black, etc. God is showing us that such discrimination will not be the case. For Revelation 7:9 says that all of these people will stand before (be present before Him) the throne of God and the Lamb.
Understanding what John experiences tells us that we need to remove the walls that separate us and keep us from sharing the Word of God with ALL mankind because we are going to be with diverse saints for eternity. These saints have the white robes (symbolizing pure righteousness), which come from God because of His Son.
In Revelation 7:10 - 11, this great mixed multitude of saints lead the praise service with "Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." What are they saying to God and to the Lamb? Salvation means deliverance from danger, thanksgiving for granting eternal life. "Sitteth" means dwelling on the throne (signifying power). As they speak these powerful words, we see all the angels, the four living creatures, and the elders fall before the throne to worship God. Remember in chapter 5:11 how many angels there are.
In verse 12, all that fall before the throne are worshipping, "Saying, Amen (meaning Jehovah is faithful, so let it be, and truly): Blessing (good speaking, praise) and glory (honor), and wisdom (understanding all things and knowing how to apply it), and thanksgiving, and honor (esteem), and power (ability to do all things), and might (forcefulness), be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.
The rest of this chapter deals with the rewards these saints will receive.
 |
 |