The Revelation of Jesus Christ-Revelation 6–7: The Seven Seals and the Great Multitude

Revelation 6–7: The Seven Seals and the Great Multitude

John has seen the throne.

He has seen the scroll sealed with seven seals.

He has seen the Lamb who alone is worthy to open it.

Now the Lamb begins to break the seals.

These chapters remind us that history is not random. Wars, famine, disease, persecution, and death do not happen outside God's sovereign rule. The Lamb opens every seal. Nothing begins until He commands it.

Yet amid scenes of terrifying judgment comes one of the Bible's most comforting visions: an innumerable multitude safely standing before God's throne.

The message is clear.

The world may shake.

The Church is secure.

The First Four Seals: The Four Horsemen

As each of the first four seals is opened, a rider appears.

"Come and see."Revelation 6:1

The first rider rides out conquering.

The second takes peace from the earth.

The third brings famine.

The fourth rides a pale horse whose rider is Death, followed by Hades.

These are not isolated events confined to one moment of history. Jesus had already spoken of them in the Olivet Discourse:

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."Matthew 24:7–8

Throughout the centuries the Church has lived under these horsemen.

• Empires rise.

• Wars rage.

• Food becomes scarce.

• Disease spreads.

• Death claims its victims.

But the Lamb remains on the throne.

The Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

The scene suddenly shifts from earth to heaven.

John sees those who have given their lives for Christ.

"How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood?" Revelation 6:10

These are not forgotten saints.

Their prayers are heard.

Each receives a white robe.

Yet they are told to rest a little longer until God's purposes are complete.

The Church has always been a persecuted people.

From the Roman Empire to our own day, believers have suffered because they belong to Jesus.

He has not forgotten one of them.

The Sixth Seal: The World Trembles

The opening of the sixth seal brings cosmic upheaval.

"The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood." Revelation 6:12

• Kings hide.

• Generals hide.

• The wealthy hide.

• The powerful hide.

• Everyone recognizes the terrifying reality:

"Hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." Revelation 6:16

Even the Lamb who gave Himself for sinners will one day judge a rebellious world.

Grace rejected becomes judgment received.

An Interlude of Hope

Before the seventh seal is opened, heaven pauses.

The question has already been asked.

Who can stand?

The answer is not found in human strength.

It is found in God's grace.

The 144,000 Are Sealed

John first sees God's servants sealed for protection.

"Hurt not the earth... till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Revelation 7:3

The number—144,000—is presented as twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel.

Christians have interpreted this passage in different ways. Some understand it as believing Israel; others see it as a symbolic picture of God's complete covenant people.

Whatever one's view, the central truth remains unmistakable.

God knows His own.

Before judgment falls, His people are marked as belonging to Him.

As Jesus declared,

"My sheep hear my voice... and they shall never perish." John 10:27–28

A Great Multitude That No One Can Number

Then John sees something astonishing.

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues..." Revelation 7:9

The Church is far larger than anyone imagined.

• Every language.

• Every race.

• Every nation.

• All gathered before God's throne.

Their cry fills heaven.

"Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Revelation 7:10

This is the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

The gospel has reached the ends of the earth.

Who Are These?

One of the elders asks John,

"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" Revelation 7:13

The answer is beautiful.

"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Revelation 7:14

The white robes are not earned.

• They are washed.

• Not in human goodness.

• In the blood of Christ.

The same Lamb who opens the seals has redeemed His people.

No More Hunger, No More Tears

The chapter closes with one of Scripture's tenderest promises.

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more." Revelation 7:16

And then,

"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 7:17

The Shepherd is the Lamb.

The One who was slain now shepherds His redeemed forever.

Every sorrow will end.

Every tear will be wiped away by God Himself.

Jesus Speaks to His Churches

The churches of Asia faced persecution, uncertainty, and the threat of death.

So do many believers today.

Revelation 6 reminds us that the world will know conflict and suffering until Christ's purposes are complete.

Revelation 7 reminds us that none of Christ's people will be lost.

The Lamb who opens the seals is also the Shepherd who gathers His flock.

The One who governs history is the same One who gave His life for His people.

Those who belong to Him need not fear the shaking of the earth, for they already belong to an unshakable kingdom.

Next Week:  Silence in Heaven and the Seven Trumpets — Revelation 8–9, as the seventh seal is opened and a new series of divine judgments begins.

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Thank You, Lord Jesus for this Revelation of Yourself as you are now,,,,the Lamb in the midst of the throne to whom all power has been given. Thank You too for using this power on those You love, Your Church, and Ken Kalis.; It is glorious to see You in glory; help me to see You today. Help me recognize Your hand and Your love today as it may not appear as I think it should. Abide in me today, Lord, and help me abide in You, for Your Name's sake. Amen

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WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

Sing His mercy and His grace.

In the mansions bright and blessèd

He’ll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to Heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We’ll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,

Clouds will overspread the sky;

But when traveling days are over,

Not a shadow not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,

Trusting, serving every day;

Just one glimpse of Him in glory

Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!

Soon His beauty we’ll behold;

Soon the pearly gates will open;

We shall tread the streets of gold.

Eliza E. Hewitt, 1898

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

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This verse from John is one of the most comforting to me. Jesus assures us that if it were NOT so He would have told us. This mean the "default drive" of my expectations is His goodness and best for me! Hallelujah!