#184

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

In Revelation 7 we are introduced to a huge crowd of, “144,000 from all the tribes of Israel, (7:4)” - 12,000 from each tribe. A quick analysis highlights that this is not intended to be literal Israel because the roll call of tribes is different from that in the Old Testament, and Judah is mentioned first rather than the traditional listing from the oldest to the youngest sons of Jacob, which would have Reuben first.

That added to the process of sealing each person on their forehead tells us that something important is being demonstrated to John, and us, in this vision. Its urgency is emphasized by the fact that this is a heavenly interruption (Chapter 7) between opening the sixth (chapter 6) and the seventh seal (Chapter 8) on the scroll. All of these symbols add up to a very powerful representation of God, and His relationship to His people.

In the previous chapter (6:12-17) a future ferocious and earth-devastating series of events is shown. Things are going to change, and it is being facilitated by God. While it is not the purpose of this post to explore the specifics of those devastating changes, it is quite natural that these faithful ones might be asking how they would survive through this traumatic turn of events. What will happen to them?

The seal on their foreheads (7:3-4) lets them know full well that God knows who His faithful ones are. He has His eyes on them/you – never out of His sight - similar in some respects to the picture of Jesus walking in the middle of His churches (represented by lampstands- 1:12-20).

Some might say that if indeed He knows those who are His, He would protect them from the coming trauma. That has never been a promise. The church in Smyrna would "suffer persecution for ten days," (2:10), and is exhorted to faithfulness. What He has promised is, “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you, (Hebrews 13:5).”

Just as God gives the assurance of His presence with these 144,000, He gives us the assurance that His eyes have not left us even when life has turned our world upside down. We have been given a seal just as these had received. “Having believed you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession -to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13b-14).”

There will be times in the life of each Christian when things get difficult – life has slapped us in the face or punched us in the gut. It is important that we know that God has not turned His back on us. He knows you and recognizes your faithfulness in both the good times and when the hard knocks of life come our way. You are signed, sealed and delivered into God’s presence and loving hands.