📖 SERMON 187 — Revelation 7:1–8
Date: January 20, 1952
Text: Revelation 7:1–8
Preacher: Rev. G. S. Kok
Subject: The Sealing of the 144,000
INTRODUCTION
Judgment Day comes suddenly, but the judgments of God are poured out upon the earth through all of history. Wars, famines, plagues, pestilence—these are often expressions of God’s judgment upon an ungodly world.
God’s own people experience these judgments too. When God brings war upon the world, His people are not first removed from the earth. When He sends plague, His children are not always shielded from physical suffering.
Yet God does not neglect His people. He protects them and gives them the grace needed to stand—even in the final judgment. This truth is taught in our text.
A. The opening scene
Four angels stand at the four corners of the earth.
They hold back the four winds.
They are in control of the destructive forces God may unleash—storms of wrath and judgment.
These winds may symbolize any disturbing power, great or small.
B. A fifth angel comes from the east
His identity is not stated.
“From the sunrising”—symbol of light and hope entering a dark world.
He cries that nothing may be harmed until the sealing is complete.
C. No details are given of the sealing
The seals are placed on the foreheads—visible to God, invisible to men.
In Revelation 14 this seal is identified as the name of the Son and of the Father.
Those sealed belong to Christ.
A. Sealing has three possible meanings
Protection against tampering.
Mark of ownership.
Certification that something is genuine.
B. Here it signifies ownership
They are marked as belonging to God and His Son.
Thus they are distinguished from the world.
God declares: “These are Mine.”
C. It also signifies protection
These sealed ones may not be harmed.
They must receive special consideration.
All things must work for their good.
Not a hair may fall without their Father’s will.
No evil may overcome them.
They are secure.
Though judgments fall, they have nothing to fear, even on the day of final judgment.
A. Twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes
Questions arise:
Are these literal Jews? If so, why is Dan missing?
Does it mean exactly this number from each tribe?
B. Are they the most faithful?
The exceptionally diligent?
The martyrs?
Revelation 14 speaks of them as virgins—literal or symbolic?
C. Are they the entire militant church?
The whole church on earth.
The redeemed from all the earth.
Every believer.
This fits well with Revelation 14.
D. Why the number 144,000?
Symbolic.
Numbers:
3: Trinity
4: Earth
7: Completeness
12: Church
10: Fullness
1000: Fullness perfected
Calculation: 12 × 12 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 144,000.
A perfect cube—representing the whole Church.
These are all believers of all ages.
Each believer is under God’s special care.
They need not fear when judgment comes.
They can stand before the throne and before the Lamb.
CONCLUSION
Terrible judgments have come, do come, and will come. But God will not forget His people. None can snatch them out of His hand; nothing can separate them from His love.
Are you one of the sealed?
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