Revelation 7 - Introduction

Introduction

Take a minute and refresh your memory of the in the chart we studied in the introductory material.

O. T. Example N. T. Parallel Symbolism Physical bondage Spiritual bondage Great Tribulation Crossing Red Sea Blood of Christ First Resurrection Mt. Sinai Mt. Zion Lamb on Mt. Zion Wilderness Church in world 1000 Year Reign Jerusalem Church (Holy City) New Jerusalem

(1, xiv)

Great Tribulation - Israel was in physical tribulation during the time of Moses. They were enslaved in Egypt. Today all those outside the kingdom of God are in great tribulation. They are enslaved in sin. (John 8:32-34)

The giving of the Law of Moses on Mt. Sinai is a physical parallel to Christ giving His law on spiritual Mt. Zion. (Micah 4:1-7) Christ reigns on Mt. Zion today. Those who stand on Mt. Zion are Christians, described in chapter 14 as the 144,000.

The great truth being pictured here in chapter 7 is that those who are in the bondage of sin (great tribulation) are coming out of that spiritual tribulation by washing their robes. They are made white in the blood of the Lamb.

Verse 9 describes them as a great multitude in white robes standing before the throne. They are Christians.

Chapter 7 deals with the question asked in 6:17. Who shall be able to stand? Answer: Those whom God has sealed (identified) as Christians, the 144,000 are the servants of God. Only Christians have any hope of being able to stand in the Day of Judgment.