In the book of the Apocalypse, chapter 7 describes two groups of people being saved. These are 144 thousand righteous people receiving the seal of God. Revelation also shows a great crowd of people in white robes. Chapter 7 describes both groups and gives a brief description of them. We will find out who these two groups are and tell what type of the seal of God from chapter 7 we found in the Bible.
Further, both groups from the book Apocalypse Chapter 7 will directly participate in the events. We will see them again in the last chapters of the book of Revelation and learn their fate.
Apocalypse chapter 7 read in Russian
- And after this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that the wind would not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
- And I saw another angel rising from the east of the sun and having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying:
- Do not harm the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.
- And I heard the number of those who were sealed: those who were sealed were one hundred and forty-four thousand from all the tribes of the children of Israel.
- Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
- of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
- from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
- of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
- After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could number, from all nations and tribes and peoples and languages, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and with palm branches in their hands.
- And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
- And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
- saying: Amen! blessing and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and strength and strength to our God forever and ever! Amen.
- And, having begun his speech, one of the elders asked me: who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?
- I told him: you know, sir. And he said to me: these are they who came out of great tribulation; they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- For this reason they now remain before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He who sits on the throne will dwell in them.
- They will no longer hunger or thirst, and the sun and no heat will burn them:
- for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and lead them to living springs of water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
The time of entry of the revelation of John the Theologian into the canon of the New Testament
The work of John the Theologian was first mentioned at the beginning of the 2nd century, in the works of such famous people as Tertullian, Irenaeus, Eusebius, and Clement of Alexandria.
But for a long time after its appearance, the text about the apocalypse was uncanonized. Only in 383 did the revelation of John the Theologian enter the New Testament canon ; the Council of Hippo and Athanasius the Great directly contributed to this. This decision was finally made and approved in 419 by the Council of Carthage.
But such a decision also had ardent opponents in the persons of Cyril of Jerusalem and Saint Gregory the Theologian.
According to some data, today there are about 300 manuscripts of the Apocalypse , but not all of them contain the full version of the revelation. Today, everyone is allowed to read the full versions of the revelations; the holy fathers of the churches even recommend that you take a look and understand the whole essence of the interpretation.
Apocalypse chapter 7 interpretation
Apocalypse seal of God
In the book of Revelation, chapter 7, the four angels are commanded to restrain the four winds so that they do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees. Until the righteous receive the seal of God Zhivago, which will protect them during the apocalypse.
Some interpreters believe that this is the sign of the cross. That the cross we put on ourselves is already the seal of God. But, firstly, chapter 7 says that the true seal of the Living God will be placed by Angels. Secondly, it can hardly be said that we place the sign of the cross only on our foreheads. So that's not what we're talking about, of course.
There is an opinion that the seal of God is Confirmation. The cross, which is, in fact, placed by the priest on the forehead of the believers with consecrated oil - myrrh. Let us not argue here that a priest is not an Angel. Let us pay attention to the fact that the Angels will put the seal of the Living God on a limited number of righteous people, which is accurately calculated as 144 thousand. And then “a great multitude of people that no one could count” in white robes is mentioned. It turns out that the majority of Christians will not receive the seal of God Zhivago, although they regularly put the sign of the cross on themselves and were anointed with myrrh.
It would be very strange to argue that the two listed groups are the same group of people who received the seal. That 144 thousand people are equal to an innumerable multitude of people. Moreover, at the end of the book of Revelation these two groups do not merge into one. The 144 thousand still stand apart in chapter 14 as they stand with the Lamb in Zion. And there, specifically, their distinctive features will be indicated, which other people in white clothes do not have.
They sing, as it were, a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn this song except these hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are those who have not defiled themselves with their wives, for they are virgins; these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are redeemed from among men, as the firstborn of God and the Lamb, and there is no guile in their mouth; they are blameless before the throne of God. Rev. 14:3-5
Therefore, we conclude that these are different groups of people who will not merge into one group during the events of the apocalypse. And the seal of the Zhivago God is not the sign of the cross or anointing.
The question is, in fact, not idle. Christians, of course, are wondering whether they will all be protected during the apocalypse or not? Let’s not invent anything and for the answer to the question of what the seal of God could be, let’s turn to the Bible itself and to the prophets.
The Seal of God - Type Found in the Bible
The Holy Prophet Moses received from the Lord very detailed instructions on how the Israelites should make a Sanctuary for Him. It was also indicated what the priest's vestments should be. In the Book of Exodus, Moses describes a gold plate that was to be made for the forehead of the priest Aaron.
Is there any prototype of the seal of God on the forehead described in the Bible, indicating the special chosenness of a person?
Holy Prophet Moses
Chief prophet of the Old Testament. I talked to God and directly received instructions from Him on what to do. He received from Him the law, which he inscribed on stone tablets.
Question to the expert
What did the Lord God say to do for Aaron’s forehead when he described what the priest’s vestments should be like?
And thou shalt make a polished tablet of pure gold, and engrave on it, as they engrave on a seal: “Holy to the Lord,” and fasten it with a blue cord to the mitre, so that it is on the front side of the miter; and it shall be upon Aaron's forehead... continually upon his forehead, for the favor of the Lord towards them. Exodus 28:36-38.
The kidar is a linen turban worn on the priest's head. To which a gold plate with a seal was attached. It is surprising that the meaning of this seal is even described. That she is needed “for the good pleasure of the Lord.” Those sealed with the seal of God Zhivago during the apocalypse will receive the same favor. The seal will protect them during future events that could harm the righteous.
The priest's vestments also included a breastplate with twelve precious stones carved with the names of the children of Israel. Which complements the similarity of the prototype with the image described in the book of the Apocalypse, chapter 7.
The point, of course, was not that the golden plate itself was a shrine, but that the priest Aaron was a righteous saint. And the fact that on his chest was a breastplate with the names of the children of Israel.
“And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he enters into the sanctuary, for a continual memorial before the Lord” (Ex. 28:29).
Many Christians of the Russian Orthodox Church, of course, do not understand why the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel are mentioned in Revelation. Why did they need to be remembered and even listed? But it is known from the Bible that at the end of time many Israelites will turn to Christ:
“And every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the families of the earth will mourn before Him,” as the Scripture says. Revelation chapter 1, verse 7
This is the prototype of the apocalyptic seal of the Living God found in the Bible, which will be with 144 thousand holy Jewish righteous people. Who follow Christ everywhere. And who have His Father's name written on their foreheads.
It is unlikely that they will wear a turban with gold ribbons and a gold plate on their forehead. But the seal “Holy of God” will be invisibly present on their foreheads. Even now, sometimes they say about a person: “He has the seal of God on him.” Although, no stamp is visible on it.
When the Bible says that God will set a seal on the foreheads of His children, it means that He will put the truth into their minds and hearts. This will mark or set them apart as His special people.
To be sealed by God means to accept His truth through the influence of the Holy Spirit:
“In Him you also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13).
The 144,000 elect from Revelation chapter 7 - who are they?
So, after the opening of the sixth seal, the Apostle John sees four Angels who are given the power to harm the earth and the sea. But the fifth Angel tells them to wait. Because first you need to put seals on the foreheads of the Israeli righteous. Of which, according to the book of the Apocalypse, Chapter 7, the Angels counted 144 thousand.
Next, John the Theologian lists the 12 tribes of Israel, with 12 thousand sealed in each. For some reason he did not indicate the tribe of Dan. Saint Andrew of Caesarea believes that the Antichrist will come out of the tribe of Dan. That is why the Apostle did not indicate it. But, given that ten of the twelve tribes have long been lost, it does not seem possible to confirm this opinion. However, they are lost by people. The Lord, of course, knows where they are. And all their names have been listed in the book of life since the beginning of the age.
On the other hand, the Bible repeatedly mentions the sons of the tribe of Dan as prone to idolatry. So in the Book of Judges it is mentioned that “the sons of Dan set up an image for themselves” (Judges 18:30). And in the 1st Book of Kings it was even worse. Not only did they worship themselves, but they also seduced the people. In the land of Dan they set up a golden calf and told the people: “You do not need to go to Jerusalem; these are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” And the people began to go to the land of Dan to worship the golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-29). As a result, the book of Genesis says about the tribe of Dan: “Dan will be a serpent on the road, an adder on the way, biting the horse’s leg so that its rider will fall back” (Gen. 49:17). So the tribe of Dan is, rather, a prototype of the Whore of Babylon, who “made all nations drink the wine of her fornication.”
I think that the words “the rider will fall backward” were not said by chance. “Falling back” is a departure from the true faith, which a person accepted, and then became seduced and fell away from it. Return to paganism, worship of other gods. However, in his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul asserts that the covetous is already an idolater (Eph. 5:5). A covetous person is a collector of earthly goods on earth. While we must, according to the Covenant, lay up treasures in heaven. As it is said that it is impossible to serve God and mammon at the same time.
It seems that this is why, instead of the tribe of Dan, the tribe of Levi, which has been priestly since ancient times, is mentioned. It was not usually one of the tribes of the children of Israel. For example, when the land of Canaan was divided, the tribe of Levi was not listed. They did not receive the land. And all the other tribes had to support them as priests. John the Theologian mentions Joseph instead of his son Ephraim. Thus, the tribes of Israel are listed, as always, exactly twelve.
The characteristics of this group of those being saved are also in chapter 14 of the book of the Apocalypse.
These are those who have not defiled themselves with their wives, for they are virgins; these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are redeemed from among men, as the firstborn of God and the Lamb, and there is no guile in their mouth; they are blameless before the throne of God. Rev.14:4-5
Of course, the huge number is surprising - 144 thousand. Are these all Jews? Where do they get so many firstborn righteous virgins, and even those who follow Christ?
Who are the 144 thousand firstborn of Israel - righteous, virgins, and even followers of Christ?
Holy Apostle Paul
The Supreme Apostle Paul, who is also called the “Apostle of the Gentiles,” helps clarify this issue.
In Ephesians he states that Israel now consists of all faithful Christians. All Jews and pagans who turned to Christ. All together make up one body of Christ. The Apostle writes to the pagans:
Apocalypse chapter 7 = Eph.2:12| You were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and ungodly in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far away have been brought near by the Blood of Christ. For He is our peace, having made both one and destroyed the barrier that stood in the middle, abolishing enmity in His flesh, and the law of commandments by teaching, in order that from the two He could create in Himself one new man, establishing peace, and in one body reconcile both to God through the cross , killing the enmity on it.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, states that the Gentiles in Christ were united with Israel, received the covenants of promise and the hope of eternal life. And the most important thing is that both the pagans and the Israelis who turned to Christ were united into one body through the Blood of Christ. As was said earlier about the natural vine and grafted onto it, so it is here. And we know this from ourselves, that Orthodox Jews are our own. Many of them are Orthodox saints, priests and monks. And there is no longer any division between us. Although, of course, they initially had the birthright. Now, through Christ, all Orthodox Christians have united into one body - the Church of Christ.
In the Epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed” (Gal. 3:27). This means that all of us Christians faithful to the Lord are also “the seed of Abraham,” like a vine grafted into a natural one. And in the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul writes: “When the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, then all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 9:11).
From all that has been said, it follows that 144 thousand Jewish righteous people from the 12 tribes of Israel cannot be only Israelis. Because we, former pagans, already form one body with them. This means that this number will include all righteous virgin Christians who follow Christ all their lives. They will receive from the Angels the seal of the Living God on their foreheads.
Revelation chapter 7 verse 12
In the book of the Apocalypse, chapter 7 describes how the elders, all the angels and the four living creatures in heaven “fell on their faces before the throne.” And they worshiped God, thanking Him and exalting glory to Him. This comes after listing the countless numbers of those being saved in white robes. Everyone gives thanks and praise to God. The Bible says that people are saved and receive eternal life not according to their own merits. But by the grace of God. That’s why we so often say the prayer: “Lord, have mercy.”
Special gratitude for the Gentiles who received the opportunity, along with the Israelites, to inherit eternal life.
It is also important that all who receive the seal of the Living God will be freed from the torment that will follow the fifth trumpet. When the locusts come out on the earth to torment for five months people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. As Chapter 14 of the Apocalypse says, the seal will protect 144 thousand righteous people from it. For which, again, glory, thanksgiving, honor, strength and strength to the Lord God.
When Christ appears at His Coming to Zion, He will be accompanied by these same 144 thousand righteous people. Because they are blameless before the throne of God. There is no guile in their mouth. This is a particularly valuable trait for Christ, which only the best Israelis have. Jesus noted it from his disciple Nathanael: “here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no guile.” John 1:47.
Apocalypse chapter 7 - people in white robes
Those who have whitened their garments and are invited to the wedding supper, called and chosen, are among the saved nations. Who will have the right to enter the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, who will have the right to the tree of life, who will take the water of life freely. The Lord God Almighty will be their temple, and the Lamb himself will be their lamp. And they will serve Him.
This includes all pagans who have turned to Christ, baptized in the Holy Spirit, keeping the covenants of Christ, bearing their cross and following Him. We must fight evil within ourselves, be saved by faith through repentance, patience, and humility. And the most important thing is prayer, staying in the Church of Christ, participating in its sacraments and services. Whitening clothes is liberation from the power of sin, cleansing it through repentance, confession and whitening of clothes with the Blood of Christ in the sacrament of the Communion of the Holy Spirit.
All this is understandable to those who are in the Church. But it’s difficult to explain to those who occasionally come there to light a candle or bless Easter cakes. Those who need to keep in mind that simply believing that God exists does not save a person. Because demons also believe that God exists and tremble before Him. But, at the same time, they remain demons. Saves life by faith. And there is very little time left.
There is an opinion among interpreters that people in whitened robes are slain martyrs who shed blood for Christ. But the elder in heaven told the Apostle John that: “they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” And this is their difference from the martyrs described in chapter 6 of the book of Revelation. Who cried out to the Lord:
“How long, O Lord, Holy and True, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those who live on earth?” Rev.6:10
That is, the martyrs themselves shed blood, and those whitened in the seventh chapter “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” There is a big difference here whose blood is the martyr himself or Christ. So these are two different groups. However, the martyrs will be given white clothes. Although they themselves did not wash them, did not whiten them. But with their blood, shed for Christ, they atoned for their sins, because they loved Him even to death. Therefore they will be given clean white clothing for the wedding feast.
Antichrist and the end of the world
Perhaps the most mysterious image that we see in this book is the Antichrist. He appears in the form of two animals. The first of them comes out of the sea and acts rudely, with direct persecution. The other comes out of the ground and causes harm more subtly, through seduction and cunning.
The Antichrist will come at the end of time to compete with Christ for the eternal fate of human souls
The eschatological approach is expressed in drawing parallels between the Roman Empire and the sinful world. Rome begins to literally eat itself, choking in the streams of sin and sinful pleasures. John the Theologian warns through his book that such a death awaits the whole world as a whole.
Apocalypse chapter 7 interpretation of the holy fathers - St. Andrew of Caesarea
Article 19. About one hundred and forty-four thousand people who did not suffer harm from the plague of the four Angels
And after this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that the wind would not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Apocalypse chapter 7 verse 1
Understanding by the four Angels that those exposed to disasters cannot in any way escape the wrath of God, either on land or at sea, some attribute this to the persecution of the Jews by the Romans that happened before. But we think that all this should happen to the greatest extent at the coming of the Antichrist, and not in the Jewish country in particular, but in the whole earth, at the four corners of which, as he says, angels will stand, accomplishers of what God has appointed them and what is unknown to them. us service. The retention of the winds serves as evidence of the destruction of the subordination of the creature and the inevitability of evil, since everything that grows on earth grows and is fed by the winds; With the help of them they swim in the sea.
And I saw another angel rising from the east of the sun and having the seal of the living God. And he exclaimed with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea... Apocalypse chapter 7, verse 2.
“And I saw another angel... having the seal of the living God.” What was once revealed to Ezekiel about a man clothed in a subir, a long linen robe, who set a seal “on the faces of those who groan” (Ezekiel 9:4), so as not to destroy the righteous along with sinners (for even the angels do not know the secret virtues of the saints), the same thing is now revealed to the blessed one, when the main holy powers are commanded not to harm those who have sinned until they recognize the servants of truth who are marked with the seal.
This partly happened already when many thousands of those who believed in Christ, as the great James says to blessed Paul, escaped the devastation of Jerusalem by the Romans, but with special force this will come true, as has already been said, during the coming of the Antichrist, when the faithful who bear the sign of Christ unashamedly and boldly before the infidels, the seal of the Life-giving Cross will be distinguished from them, which is why the angel said:
Do not harm the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God. Rev. 7:3.
The creation, as created for our sake, participates in disasters during the times of our punishment, just as it rejoices with the saints during their glorification. It follows from this that even those adorned with virtues during adversity need angelic help according to the power of the seal of the Spirit given to us, which, however, manifests its power only insofar as we ourselves reveal our activity, and if someone does not receive help from it, then only because your reluctance.
And I heard the number of those who were sealed: those who were sealed were one hundred and forty-four thousand from all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; Rev.7:4-5
The meaning of the names of the twelve patriarchs
Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. (Apocalypse chapter 7, verses 5-8).
Judas is translated by the word confession, which distinguishes those who are saved by confessing Christ, who came from Judas.
Reuben means son of vision; This means those who, through purity of heart, have acquired spiritual vision.
Gad is a temptation. They signify those who have received glory for enduring temptations, like Job.
Asir is bliss. It refers to those who received the Master's bliss for a worthy life, who were deemed worthy to become the right hand of Christ and who turned out to be sons of day and light.
Naphtali - prayer. It refers to those who cling to God through unceasing prayer.
Manasseh - oblivion. It refers to those who left everything behind them and their father’s house for the sake of pleasing God.
Simeon - obedience. It refers to those who are justified for obedience to the Divine commandments.
Levi is nice. Indicates those accepted by Christ for a life worthy of a priest. Levi stands eighth, for the true priesthood is revealed after the eighth day of resurrection.
Issachar is a reward. Those who receive a reward from God for a virtuous life are indicated.
Zebulun is a dwelling place of power or fragrance. This denotes those strengthened through Christ’s indwelling into suffering and made, according to the Apostle, His fragrance (2 Cor. 2:15).
Joseph - application. It refers to those who, according to the word of the Lord, together with the Heavenly Kingdom will receive, as if in addition, everything they need in earthly life.
Benjamin is the son of sickness, or the son of the day, or the son of the morning star. It refers to those who replenish the number of those being saved due to sorrow of heart, or to those Jews who escaped Roman captivity who believed, or, most likely, to Jews who are saved through faith at the end of the world. Just as the apostle says: “Until the fulfillment of tongues comes, and thus all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:25, 26).
But one or the other interpretation can be accepted. The same number of those saved from each tribe, I think, indicates the fruitfulness of the apostolic seed, because the number twelve, taken twelve times and multiplied by a thousand, gives this number of saved ones who were disciples of the seed that fell to the earth out of love for mankind and produced such a varied fruit of the universal salvation.
But let it be known that the tribe of Dan is not mentioned with the others because the Antichrist will come from it. Instead, the tribe of Levi is mentioned, since ancient times priestly, not included in the number of tribes. The meaning of the names makes it possible to apply some reasoning to each of them, which is what was done above. Joseph is mentioned instead of his son Ephraim. The given number is considered equal in number to the number of ancient Jewish commanders and the twelve apostles appointed in their place, as was said, as princes of the whole earth (Ps. 44:17), through whom the Jews scattered throughout the earth will be saved.
Article 20. About the countless people from the languages wearing light clothes
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could number, from all nations and tribes and peoples and languages, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Apocalypse chapter 7, verses 9-10.
These are those about whom David says: “I will count them, and they will multiply more than the sand” (Ps. 139:18), who suffered as martyrs for Christ from every tribe and nation and in recent times have courageously accepted suffering. Some of them have already whitened, others will whiten their robes with their blood shed for Christ, and now, having in their hands as a sign of victory branches of useful, right and pure-hearted dates, they triumph, rejoicing around the throne of Divine peace, and, being grateful slaves, They attribute their victory over the demons to a single Giver.
And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne, and worshiped God, saying: Amen! blessing and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and strength and strength to our God forever and ever! Amen. Rev.7:11-12
Here is one Church of people and Angels! For then Angels will co-serve people, who previously seemed terrible even to people equal to the angels, as we know about Daniel. Because, according to some holy fathers, they are visible in the bodies characteristic of them, or, as others think, they are not subject to threefold measurement in length, breadth and height, as is characteristic of bodies in general, and therefore appear to us not in their nature, but by accepting image and form according to the will of God. Standing around the cherubim and elders signifies the height of honor for those who are glorified under the number of elders. And to God for His Divine care for all creation for our sake, thanks are offered with all our existing powers.
And, having begun his speech, one of the elders asked me: who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from? I told him: you know, sir. Rev. 7:13.
The one who appears prompts the blessed one with his questions to investigate what he has seen, but he, prudently aware of his ignorance, receives instruction from the one who appears.
And he said to me: these are they who came out of great tribulation; they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason they now remain before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He who sits on the throne will dwell in them. Rev. 7:15.
Blessed are those who, for temporary labors, will inherit eternal peace, who, for suffering with Christ, will reign with Him and serve Him. The words “day and night” indicate the continuity of this service. There will be no night there, but eternal day, illuminated by the sun, not sensual, but spiritual, the Sun of truth - Christ. But by night we can also mean hidden deep secrets; then by day we must understand clear and intelligible. The temple of God is every creation renewed by the spirit. But most surely, those who have kept the pledge of the Spirit intact and unquenched. God promised to live and walk in them (2 Cor. 6:16).
They will neither hunger nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun or heat beat upon them Rev. 7:16.
And rightly so! They will have the bread of heaven and the water of life. They will not get sick and endure disasters depicted under the guise of the sun and heat, for the time of suffering is over.
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and lead them to living springs of water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Apocalypse chapter 7, verse 17.
The words “I will feed” indicate that those flocked by Christ will not then be afraid of the attacks of wolves thrown into unquenchable fire, but will graze on the pure and vast sources of Divine understanding, as indicated by the word water, by which, in addition, we must understand the abundant outpouring of the Divine Spirit. For the Lord says about the believer that “rivers will flow out of his belly and waters of life” (John 7:38). Then the saints, nourished abundantly by this water, after the cessation of private knowledge, will acquire perfect knowledge and, freed from corruption and change, will enjoy endless joy and joy.
Revealing God's Secret
Sometimes this book is called the Apocalypse, since this is how the word “Revelation” sounds in translation from Greek. It would be a mistake to think that God's Revelation is contained only in this final book of Holy Scripture. The entire Bible is an initiation into the mysteries of God's plan. The last book is the completion, a generalization of all Divine truths, “sown” in the very first biblical book - Genesis, and consistently developing in subsequent chapters of the Old, and especially the New Testament.
Seven churches
John's first vision was of the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, which symbolize the seven churches. Through the lips of John, God addresses each of them, characterizing its essence and giving it promises. These seven represent the one Church at different times of its existence. The first, Ephesus, is its initial stage, the second, in Smyrna, characterizes the Christian church during the period of persecution, the third, Pergamon, corresponds to the times when God’s assembly became too worldly. The fourth - in Thyatira - personifies the church, which has departed from God's truths and turned into an administrative apparatus. Bible scholars say it corresponds to the medieval Roman Catholic religious system. While the fifth church in Sardis recalls the reformation of Martin Luther. The gathering of believers in Philadelphia symbolizes a return to the truth that all who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ are members of His Universal Church. The seventh, Laodicea, represents the times when believers “faded” in their zeal, becoming “neither cold nor hot.” This kind of church makes Christ sick, he is ready to “vomit it out of his mouth” (Rev. 3:16).
The end of old times
These visions are followed by images of seven bowls of wrath pouring out on an unrepentant Earth. Satan deceives sinners to come into battle with Christ. Armageddon occurs - the last battle, after which the “ancient serpent” is thrown into the abyss and imprisoned there for a thousand years. John then shows how the chosen saints rule the earth with Christ for a thousand years. Then Satan is released to deceive the nations, the final rebellion of people who have not submitted to God takes place, the judgment of the living and the dead and the final death of Satan and his followers in the lake of fire.
