The 6th Seal and 144,000 (Day 13)

 

Revelation 6:12-17 ⁽¹²⁾I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, ⁽¹³⁾and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. ⁽¹⁴⁾The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. ⁽¹⁵⁾Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. ⁽¹⁶⁾They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ⁽¹⁷⁾For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

 

(NIV)

 

 

 

John watched as the sixth seal was opened. This seal showed the events that would take place upon the earth at Jesus’ return. First, there would be a great earthquake.

 

Many movies have been made about the rapture with people disappearing all across the world. However, the Bible does not give this type of description about the rapturing of God’s saints. When Jesus comes back to take His people home, everyone will be aware of His presence due to the powerful affect it will have on the planet. Psalm 60:2 You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. (NIV)

 

John went on to say that the sun would turn black, the moon to blood and the stars would fall. God lets us know in His word that He would give us signs in the heavens to look for in the last days. These signs would be unmistakably powerful enough, so that one will not be deceived as to what is taking place. Acts 2:19-20 ⁽¹⁹⁾I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. ⁽²⁰⁾The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. (NIV) This dispels any “left behind” teachings that have become popular due to many movies and books concerning the topic of a “secret” rapture.

 

 

 

As John watched, the stars fell and the heavens were peeled back. The mountains and islands moved from their places, while ordinary people and those of importance ran for cover to hide from Jesus because of their wickedness. This lets us know that sin will not be able to be tolerated in the presence of God. All of those who were arrogant and delighted in the indulgence of sin will not be able to stand the sight of Jesus. They will scatter like roaches when the lights come on. They will try to flee from the brightness of His presence. Psalm 5:4-5 ⁽⁴⁾For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. ⁽⁵⁾The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; (NIV)

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 7:1-3 ⁽¹⁾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 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.” (NIV)

 

John saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds and preventing them from blowing. There are a lot of calamities that could take place on the world if it wasn’t for God holding back the winds. Even though there are things taking place all around the world, God has still shown mercy in not allowing the full judgment of His wrath from taking place. He is giving everyone enough time to come to repentance and turn from their wicked ways. Daniel 7:2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. (NIV)

 

 

 

 

In John’s vision, the four angels were holding back the winds until all the foreheads of God’s people had been sealed. Now, there will be another seal from the devil for those who accept the mark of the beast, but we will visit that topic in an upcoming lesson. For now, we want to make sure that you understand there are one of two seals that a person will receive. It will either be God’s seal for those who are saved, or the mark of the beast, which is for those who will accept Satan and his dominion. A child of God cannot have both. Ezekiel 9:3-4 ⁽³⁾Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side ⁽⁴⁾and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.” (NIV)

 

 

 

John heard the number of those who were sealed. It was 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. Jacob, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, had a total of 12 sons who represented the 12 tribes of Israel. However, the name of Dan, one Jacob’s sons, was replaced with one of Joseph’s sons name Manasseh. The tribe of Dan had done evil in the eyes of God. Therefore, this accounts for why his name is missing as part of the 12 tribes and was consequently replaced. This story can be found in Judges 17-18. One thing that is important to understand is that the 144,000 is symbolic and not literal. So that you can be clear let’s break this down. 12 (tribes) x 12,000 (people from each tribe) = 144,000, which represents completeness. You can read the verse below and see the breakdown of each tribe.

 

 

Revelation 7:4-8 ⁽⁴⁾Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

 

⁽⁵⁾From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,

   from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, 

  from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

 

⁽⁶⁾from the tribe of Asher 12,000,

  from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,

  from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

 

⁽⁷⁾from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,

   from the tribe of Levi 12,000,

  from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

 

⁽⁸⁾from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,

   from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, 

  from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. (NIV)

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 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 before 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)

 

After seeing the 144, 000, John saw many people from all across the earth standing before God’s throne and the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches shouting praises to God. This lets us know that there will be more than just 144,000 people who make it to Heaven, but there will be people from all over the world regardless of race, color, sex, or background who will be stamped with the seal of God and be given a white robe of righteousness to wear. Job 29:14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. (NIV)

 

Those saints who made it were holding palms in their hands and they praised God. This type of praise was similar to the one that took place during the time when Jesus was on earth prior to Him going to the cross. Many celebrate this day as Palm Sunday, which was the week before His death and resurrection. John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (NIV) What a day of celebration it will be for all who make it to Heaven. All the sufferings that the saints have gone through on earth will be worth every tear, heartbreak and pain just to finally be able to see the face of Jesus and sing of His goodness.

 

We will continue our study in the book of Revelation on Tomorrow. May God bless you as you read and understand the meaning of His prophetic Word. Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lesson Series 1-10 is available on Amazon.com.