The 144 000 and a great Multitude

 

V 1. "And after these things, I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

After these things must mean the previous chapter where the signs of the earthquake, falling stars and the darkening sky was mentioned in the previous chapter [6] but not the departing of the heaven and the kings of the earth hiding from the coming King of KINGs!
Since the angels are ever present in the affairs of the earth, GOD uses them to hold off political commotion and strive so as not to hinder the witness of the gospel into all the world [cf. Daniel 7:2;Jer.25:32].

V 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Another angel is introduced here, in addition to the four holding the winds. From remote antiquity seals were used in the Near East much as signatures are today.
The seal of the living GOD
The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living GOD. "Morever also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign [or mark, see Romans 4:11] between them and Me, that they may know that I am the Lord that sanctify them." Ezekiel 20:12,20. We also can see from Isa.66:22,23 that in the new earth and in the new heaven all flesh shall come before Me to worship from one Sabbath to another, saith the Lord." Here we see the unbrokeness of the fourth commandment from Eden [Genesis 2:1-3] to the new Eden. We are sealed with or by the Holy Spirit, but he is not the seal itself. Seal and sign are synonymous. [see Romans 4:11]. The mark of the beast relates to false worship.

V 3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Another literal angel introduced here. Arising from the east. Just as the sun comes up gradually and increases in strength, so this sealing angel will increase to full strength and power. What is the seal of the living GOD? A seal is an instrument used by corporate bodies, and government, for making impressions on wax, on documents, as an evidence of their authenticity and that it remains unaltered.
The original word is defined as: a seal, a signet ring, a mark, stamp, badge, a token, a pledge. The verb signifies: "To secure to any one, to make sure, to set a seal or mark upon anything in token of its being genuine or approved; to attest, to confirm, to establish, to distinguish by a mark."
Comparing Genesis 17:11; Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:3 with Ezekiel 9:4, we can see that in the Bible, the words "SIGN" "SEAL" "MARK" are being used interchangeably. Therefore, the seal of GOD in this chapter and chapter 14 are similar to the MARK OF THE BEAST 666 in Revelation 13. We are sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT as an action, but what is the seal of GOD? it is found only in His holy law. In the very centre of it is His holy Sabbath that contains all the requsites of a royal seal: 1.] the name: The Lord our God.  2.[ the title: Ruler and maker of heaven and earth!  3.] territory: "Heaven and Earth!
See Exodus 20:8-12.
It is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment and that alone which the Christian world is openly transgressing and teaching men to violate!

V 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

See our exposition on the 144000 in chapter 14

V 5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

12 000 were sealed "out of" each of the 12 tribes, showing that not all who in the records of heaven had a place among the sealed! But after this , John saw a great multitude that no man could number.

V 6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manases were sealed twelve thousand.

V 7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

V 8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Since James greets all the 12 tribes [James 1:1] the 144000 cannot be literal Jews nor a literal number. But they are a special group of first fruits not defiled by other women or apostate churches of Babylon the great!

V 9.  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

V 10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

V 11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

Beasts. Greek Zoa, 'living beings'. the word zoa does not indicate to what order of creatures these four belong. However, they closely resemble those of Ezekiel's vision [Eze. 1:5-26] which Ezekiel calls Cherubim.

V 12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

V 13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

V 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

John had indeed seen this company in their mortal state as they were receiving the seal of the living GOD; but as they stand here among the redeemed throng, the transition is so great, and the condition in which they now appear so different, that he does not recognize them as the special company which he saw sealed upon the earth. While it is true that all Christians must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of GOD [Acts 14:22] the 144 000 will go through Jacob's time of trouble such as never was nor will be! [Daniel 12:1] They also are the over comers of the mark and the image of the beast 666.

V 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

The new earth is said to have no more temple in it [Revelation 21:22] or at least John did not see it as it says. IT is either that John was barred from seeing it, or the heavenly temple will still be in operation seeing that GOD'S throne is in it.

V 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

This beautiful illustration is a pastoral symbol. Here man and GOD are united.

V 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The Meaning Of Names

Judah means "He shall be praised."

Reuben "       "He has looked on me."

Gad       "       "Given good fortune."

Asher    "       "Happy am I."

Naphtali "      "My wrestling."

Manasseh means "Making me to forget."

Simeon         "       "God hears me."

Levi              "       "Attached to me."

Issachar       "       "Purchased me."

Zebulun        "       "Dwelling."

Joseph         "       "God will add to me."

Bemjamin     "       "Son of His right hand."

Putting together the meaning of these word into a sentence: "I will praise the Lord. He has looked on me (and) granted good fortune. I am happy (because) of my wrestling. God is making me to forget. God hears me (and) is attached to me. He has purchased me a dwelling (and) will add to me the Son of His right hand."