THE BOOK OF REVELATION: Chapters 7-9

Revelation Chapters 7-9

Sequencing events so far up to Revelation 8:1….The history of the Church is laid out before us in the first 3 chapters of Revelation. Where the corporate Church in the last days has grown entirely lukewarm and Christ has spewed her out of His mouth [Revelation 3:16]  The corporate Church has finally been fully leavened. [Matthew 13:33] And as so, they are rejected as His witnesses upon the earth.

The evidence of this Age of Mercy and Grace ending is seen, starting in chapter 4 with the setting up of the Throne of Judgment. The Investiture of Jesus the Christ now proceeds. He is found to be the only Worthy, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing, and to break the Seals and open the Book. The Seals on the Book are being opened, 6 so far. With tremendous consequences World wide. But with the opening of the 6^th Seal, there is the recognition of God’s Hand in the heavenly signs within the Jewish Worldwide community. There is a remnant awakening and many seeing the significance of the signs being those of Joel speaking in terms of the coming of the Great Day of the Lord. [Joel 2:30,31]

And before the 7^th Seal can be opened, the cry goes forth in 7:3. “Saying Hurt not (any further) the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” With that staying word we have the sealing of the Elect of Israel, some 144,000 12,000 from each Tribe.  Now in answer to this, and before the opening of the remaining 7^th Seal, we are also given a brief glimpse of the end of the judgments of the Great Tribulation. Wherein additionally, not to be overshadowed by the sealing of the first-fruits of Israel on the earth, we see the then future (“After this…”) grateful rejoicing of the Bride of Christ in heaven before the Throne. [Revelation 7:9-17]

REVELATION CHAPTER 7  Further explanation of the two groups:

The sealing of the one earthly….and the other with the Father’s name written in their foreheads. In distinguishing the 2 groups of  Revelation chapter 7, we have Daniel’s two designations. “….the saints of the most High” in Daniel 7:18, and then in verse 27, “the people of the saints of the most High”.  The people ON EARTH being those mentioned in the first verses 3-8 of Revelation chapter 7…..*12 thousand Elect from 12 tribes of Israel, who then are associated with Him as The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. People of a new covenant/ the covenant of marvels (Exodus 34), that is also “life from the dead”.  [Romans 11] This group representing a group yet to be entirely delivered… to Whom Israel now turns to but to whom the Lord has not fully revealed Himself to… “And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them….”.

VERSE 9  And “After this…I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number…”. The 2^nd group represented here are all the combined faithful and fruitful of Christ. Those both in the Caught Up First Fruits, (*for Scripture says a limited number by the designation of 144,000 see Revelation 14:1), the Harvest, and First Resurrection out from among the dead, at the end of the Great Tribulation.  (A great multitude).

These are all the kingly priests of the heavenly kingdom of Christ. These the more connected by the stronger tie of faith in His Blood, as the Lamb of God. Thereby they occupy in closer proximity to the Lamb in the heavens as numerous as the stars in the sky. No longer in Egypt, they are delivered up by the Lamb of the true passover. No longer unclothed in death’s taint, but having been united with body and spirit. They are gloriously presented in priestly white robes before God on the Throne. It is the heavenly feast of Tabernacles they are seen as the palms in their hands foretell.  Although in its main features they correspond, it’s a far loftier one.

These are the sons of God according to the heavenly calling. [Hebrews 2:10, 3:1] Having by faith known both the Father and the Son, and trust in the fullness of His Atonement. Taking the place now of the 24 Elders in the administration of the Kingdom. [Hebrews 2:5] The presentation and selection out of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues is a characteristic of the New Nation of New Man. Not based on physical qualities or station of birth, but on moral character.  (The type seen in  Leviticus 22:19-25, 21:16-24 and compare Ephesians 1:4,  2 Peter 1:1-4) Verses 1-4 God’s granting and then verses 5-11 the required diligence, Colossians 1:22,23), now being “the fullness of the Gentiles come in”. Ephesians 5:25-27 has this scene in view.

Birth relationship to Aaron (Jesus) was absolutely required by God but was not sufficient for access into the presence of God. “For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” It is “foolish” and greatly detrimental, says the Spirit, for the virgin to be presumptuous. [Matthew 25:8-13] The great multitude before us are before the Throne in the heavens. They are not ALL the virgins espoused to Christ, but only those without blemish.

• in Numbers chapter 1 & 27, we have the exact number of the census by Moses, undoubtedly to be taken literally. Whereas in Revelation 7 and 14, it is not of the same necessity to take these two numbers literally. As symbolically might be the correct approach here as it is in other Scriptural measures of indefiniteness. Such as the 200,000,000 millions of demon horsemen of Revelation 9:16, or the 10^th part of the city fell… (Is that specific to the last brick? Or that exactly 7000 were killed in the quake?) [Revelation 11:13] Are these not approximate according to human language and thought?

What might add to the indefinite way of thinking is that the numbers of both groups in Revelation 7 & 14 are the exact same. Although one group is made up of 12 x12s and the other is 144,000 in itself, the use of these numbers though clearly designating a limited amount, are noteworthy as being the exact same and is suggestive of some moral or higher thought behind them.

And the defining correctly allows for the understanding presented in Scripture that answers to those who error in their thinking that…

1. Every believer will be caught away to meet the Lord in the air before the end times.
2. OR… that every believer must pass through the end times and there is no catching away until after the Great Tribulation.

The First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) and Harvest understanding answers to both schools of thought and reconciles all the related Scriptures.

Verse 9’s “After this…” can be considered parenthetical, for the continuing harmony in the themes throughout the Book of Revelation. What is clearly defined for us here in chapter 7…..these two groups in relation to one another.

1. The tracing of Christ’s heavenly Church Bride, both First-Fruits and Harvest
2. and the restoration and reconciliation of the people and nation of Israel; Abraham’s seed of promised earthly preeminence.

In chapter 7, the great multitude caught up before the Throne, skips over the means by which they arrived. And is seen as the culmination of all faithful Believers in Christ throughout the Age of Mercy and Grace and after The Tribulation. These are: 1) the First Fruits  2) The Harvest and 3) Those of the First Resurrection out from among the dead. Whereas Chapter 14 defines 3 groups by way of our further instruction in the end time salvation plan of God. And contrasts 3 groups in agricultural terms: the first-fruits, the harvest and the vintage. Of which we will speak of in much greater detail when arriving at chapter 14.

Now in Revelation 8:1, we have the opening of the 7^th Seal. And a pause, a solemn silence in heaven. Other things are now evolving, and the curtain has come down as if to shift and open a new scene is being prepared.

Revelation Chapter 8

VERSE 2  Seven Angels standing before God are given each a trumpet.
VERSE 3 & 4 & 5  Before Angels sound their trumps of judgment, there is an intercession of prayers of the saints mixed with the both the Merits and Holy Majesty of Jesus Christ. The smoke ascending up into the nostrils of God.. The fire of the Brazen Altar is the same fire as upon the Altar of Incense. Behold the goodness and severity of God!
VERSE 6 “And the 7 angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” VERSE 7 “The fist angel sounded.…” and without interruption, so did the second, third and fourth angel.
VERSE 13 After 4 trumpets sounded and the dreadful consequences are being carried out, another even more frightening announcement interrupts the proceedings. “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”

The woes mark the increase in severity.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 opens with that 5^th angel’s sounding. And the first Woe and then the 2^nd woe following. These woes tie the awakening of Israel and their sealing with the book of Joel.  The Bottomless Pit/the Great Abyss is opened and the hordes of demons are released upon mankind save the Sealed 144,000. With tormenting power over all men on earth, although not deadly, but so severe men will seek death.  The Book of Joel describes these very events as that warning of the Great Day of The Lord. Compare Revelation 9 with the Book of Joel. “For a nation is come UP upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.”

Then right on the heels of this is the unleashing of the 4 angels bound in the Euphrates River with some 200,000,000 strong un-human forces.

Little wonder 1/3 of mankind is killed. It’s a wonder that 2/3rds survive!

In this great chaos in the World, there is Heaven’s order. God’s order of judgment on the Earth…

1. Is on mankind in general that has rejected the Great Mercies of Christ’s Redemptive Atonement. (Note in this sense Israel is considered among the nations… Daniel 9:27, John 5:43)
2. Also on the Great Whore and Beast and the 10 nation confederation aligned with the Beast forthcoming.
3. And finally also upon the Anti-Christ and his kingdom most specifically.

All the Seals’ judgments impact these 3 targeted concerns. Encompassing both fallen and rebellious men and fallen and rebellious angels. But now as the Trumpets begin and Bowls/Vials are coming, these judgments get more specific to those groups and nations associated directly with the 10 nations and the anti-Christ and his direct throne area.

These judgments together culminate in the final destruction of the Great Whore, the anti-Christ, the false prophet the Confederation. And of course the power behind them, satan, with the descent of Jesus Christ to the Mount Olivet . [Revelation 19:11-21]

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