Matthias Gerung “Angels Sealing”
Revelation 7:1-17 is this Sunday’s passage. It’s in the middle of John’s second Spirit-induced trance. We have four angels at the four corners of the earth who are refraining from making tumultuous winds against the world. Another angel rises up holding “the seal of the living God”. This angel cries out to the angels in charge of the winds that can potentially harm the earth to continue the “ceasefire” until 144,000 people are sealed. These 144,000 people represent the visible Church on Earth (Church Militant). And yes, these 144,000 seem to be only people made up from tribes of Israel, but they represent a greater number of people…..a multitude found in heaven. And the ones in heaven as described in Revelation 7:9-17 are the Church Triumphant…..those who have died and are now with the LORD. They are “from every nation, tribe, people, and language”.
The ones sealed by God on Earth are not spared hardship. They will not be spared the persecution as was gradually happening in the 1st century world by the wicked Roman Empire. But, this passage promises the Christians in John’s time that they will be preserved through the hardship. These encouraging words written to a frightened people boldly declare that their hope is not in a mere human institution, but in the LORD. It is the same LORD who sealed them with God’s love who is the only one worthy to ultimately control human destiny.
For us today, our ultimate help is in no institution. We are sealed by God’s love. And while we are not promised an easy journey, we are promised to be preserved through our hardships. Our help, kindred in Christ, is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth.
Friends, may these words encourage you and give you Good News.
Christ’s Peace,
Pastor T. Wes