Rev 7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 7:1-17: 7:1-17 Three interludes occur in chs 6–14 (ch 7 ; 10:1–11:14 ; 12:1–14:20 ) to define the place of God’s holy people and to provide perspective on the previous scenes. In this first interlude before the seventh seal is broken, two visions communicate how God protects his people and assures them of his calling. Summary for Rev 7:1-8: 7:1-8 The interlude’s first vision shows how God protects his faithful followers from ultimate harm . Summary for Rev 7:1-3: 7:1-3 Wait! God calls for a temporary halt by the four angels of destruction. • The seal of the living God implies membership in God’s household; God owns and protects his people (2 Cor 1:22 ; Eph 1:13-14 ). In the ancient world, sealing or tattooing was a sign of ownership. • The angel ... carrying the seal identified God’s people, answering the question of who would survive God’s wrath (Rev 6:17 ; see Ezek 9:3-8 ; John 17:14-15 ) and furthering the promise of protection (Rev 3:10 ; see also 11:1-2 ).

Summary for Rev 7:1-17: 7:1-17 ^a Three interludes occur in chs 6–14 ^b (ch 7 ^c; 10:1–11:14 ^d; 12:1–14:20 ^e) to define the place of God’s holy people and to provide perspective on the previous scenes. In this first interlude before the seventh seal is broken, two visions communicate how God protects his people and assures them of his calling.
Summary for Rev 7:1-8: 7:1-8 ^f The interlude’s first vision shows how God protects his faithful followers from ultimate harm.
Summary for Rev 7:1-3: 7:1-3 ^g Wait! God calls for a temporary halt by the four angels of destruction.

• The seal of the living God implies membership in God’s household; God owns and protects his people (2 Cor 1:22 ^h; Eph 1:13-14 ⁱ). In the ancient world, sealing or tattooing was a sign of ownership.

• The angel ... carrying the seal identified God’s people, answering the question of who would survive God’s wrath (Rev 6:17 ^j; see Ezek 9:3-8 ^k; John 17:14-15 ^l) and furthering the promise of protection (Rev 3:10 ^m; see also 11:1-2 ⁿ).
Summary for Rev 7:4-8: 7:4-8 ^o Who are the 144,000? This listing of the tribes of Israel does not exactly correlate with the twelve physical tribes. Instead, it communicates that God knows precisely which people on earth belong to him. By the AD 90s, Israel’s twelve tribes no longer existed; ten tribes were dispersed when Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kgs 17:1-41 ^p). The early Christian church regarded itself symbolically as the Israel of God (Matt 19:28 ^q; Rom 2:28-29 ^r; 9:6-8 ^s; Gal 3:29 ^t; 6:16 ^u; Phil 3:3 ^v). The 144,000 probably represent all faithful Christians (cp. Rev 14:1-5 ^w; 21:12-17 ^x). The list begins appropriately with Judah (the royal tribe of Jesus) but substitutes Manasseh (one of the two tribes of Joseph) for Dan. The tribe of Dan fell into idolatry (Judg 18:14-31 ^y; 1 Kgs 12:25-30 ^z), and early Christians regarded it as the epitome of evil.
Summary for Rev 7:9-17: 7:9-17 ^aa The interlude’s second vision shows heaven with an innumerable crowd rejoicing because they are secure in Christ and all tears and sorrows have ended. 7:9 ^ab This vast crowd of believers (7:14 ^ac) is too great to count, fulfilling God’s promises to Abraham (Gen 15:5 ^ad; 17:4-5 ^ae; Rom 4:16-24 ^af; Gal 3:29 ^ag).

• White robes (Rev 6:11 ^ah) and palm branches (John 12:13 ^ai) are ancient symbols of victory and success, adding to the celebration that occurs after God ends the hostile world.
7:10 ^aj Ancient victory parades, heralding the accomplishments of conquerors, included loud chants. The shout of Salvation (“victory,” “deliverance”) honors God’s triumph and prepares readers for his reign.
Summary for Rev 7:11-12: 7:11-12 ^ak The angels, elders, and four living beings all prostrated themselves before God and responded together in a sevenfold (i.e., comprehensive) doxology to recognize God’s eternal nature. The doxology is preceded and followed by Amen—a powerful affirmation of God’s victory.
7:14 ^al who died in (literally who came out of): See 6:9 ^am; 20:4 ^an.

• the great tribulation: A time of horrible and distressing events (see 1:9 ^ao; 2:9-10 ^ap; Deut 4:30-31 ^aq; Matt 24:21-22 ^ar; Acts 14:22 ^as).

• They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb: This description symbolizes Christ’s redeeming death for them.

• made them white: This description expresses their victory over sin and death and their acceptance by God into eternal life.
7:15 ^at serve him day and night: Service to God is the continual duty of Christians.

• God’s Temple symbolizes his presence (also 11:19 ^au; cp. 21:22 ^av).
Summary for Rev 7:16-17: 7:16-17 ^aw For desert-dwellers, life-giving water and relief from the scorching sun represent paradise (see also 21:6 ^ax; 22:1 ^ay, 17 ^az; Ps 23:1-2 ^ba; Ezek 47:1-12 ^bb; John 7:37-38 ^bc).

• on the throne (literally on the center of the throne): The Lamb is closely identified with God.

• Christ’s designation as the Shepherd of God’s people (cp. Ps 23 ^bd; Matt 15:24 ^be; John 10:3 ^bf, 11 ^bg, 14 ^bh; Heb 13:20 ^bi; 1 Pet 2:25 ^bj) means that he protects and provides for the sheep, bringing hope and salvation to his people (see Ezek 34:11-16 ^bk, 23-24 ^bl).