Christ Sealing His Priests in Israel.                                 (Rev. 7)

We have just looked at the overview of the tribulation, but before any judgments begin, the Lord Jesus has some important tasks. He sends four angels to hold back the winds of the earth. This would make for a very eerie stillness, a calm before the storm of judgments.

                                ` After these things I saw 4 angels standing at the four corners of the earth,

                              holding the 4 winds of the earth that the wind should not blow

                                             on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. `

                                                                                                        (Rev. 7: 1)

144,000 Priests of Israel.

Then another angel is given the task of `sealing,` the priests of God in Israel.

                 `Then 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 granted to harm the earth and sea, saying,

                                          “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees

                              till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”`

                                                                                                   (Rev. 7: 2 & 3)

These are 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel, the priests that God said would rule.

This was part of God`s covenant with Israel.

                                         `you shall be to Me a kingdom (rule) of priests

                                                            and a holy nation.`                                                                                                                                                                               (Ex. 19: 6)

The `sealing,`  represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit enabling these people to go forth

and tell others of the coming millennium kingdom.  This kingdom was promised to Israel, as part of God`s Covenant and what they looked forward to.

                          Jesus said, `this gospel (good news) of the kingdom (promised to Israel)

                              will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations,

                                                and then the end (of the age) will come.`

                                                                                            (Matt. 24: 14)

God has not forgotten His people Israel or cast them aside, but held them in discipline till

the time for God`s Covenant purpose for them to be outworked.

                                `has God cast away His people? Certainly not!.....`   (Rom. 11: 1)

God still has His purpose for the Nation of Israel but it has been held in check until God`s appointed time. As we study further in Revelation we will see this great Covenant purpose of God unfold.

                                       `And I heard the number of those who were sealed,

                                144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:.......`

                                                                                                                    (Rev. 7: 4 - 8)