13-The 144,000 (Revelation 7:1-17)

Chapter 7 is a parenthesis between chapter 6 and 8 that precedes the 7th seal.  The pause provides an answer to the question we were left with at the end of chapter 6, “Who is able to stand?”

In chapter 7 we see two groups who are able to stand during this terrible time:

1.       A godly remnant of the 144,000
2.       The great multitude in heaven.

God is going to set aside 144,000 Jews who will accept Jesus as the Messiah and He will protect them during the Tribulation period until their work of proclaiming the gospel is completed.

A great multitude of Gentiles will also be saved, but many of these will be martyred, and a multitude of the martyred dead will be found in heaven rejoicing in the presence of the Lamb and representing every tongue and nation.

It is an indication that even in the tragic closing hours prior to the Second Coming of Christ to the earth, countless souls will find Christ as Savior and be saved by His grace.

The Good News is that you don’t have to wait until the Tribulation period to receive salvation that Christ offers. Today, if you receive His offer of forgiveness and new life you can be confident that you will be spared the terrible judgment of God that is about to come upon the whole earth. You can also know with certainty that whether you leave this earth through death or rapture, you will enjoy the pleasures of heaven for all eternity!