Chapter six of
Revelation ends with a question asked by those who were attempting to hide
themselves from the presence of God and the wrath of the Lamb.: “...and who is
able to stand?” Six seals were opened by
the resurrected Lord in chapter six, each progressively building toward the
unleashing of God’s wrath on Judah and Jerusalem. The opening of the seventh seal would be the
visualization of that judgment. Would
anyone be able to escape the wrath to come?
Could anyone stand in the face of such judgment? According to chapter seven, the answer is
“yes.”
Angels are pictured as
holding back the vengeance of God until something important could be done --
the sealing or marking of those who were faithfully serving God. This is reminiscent of another marking done
centuries earlier during the time of Ezekiel.
The prophet had been chosen to deliver another message of doom for
Jerusalem because of the sins of the people and their desecration of God’s
temple. But before the judgment fell,
someone was sent throughout the city to mark those who “...sigh and groan over
all the abominations which are being committed in its midst” (Ezekiel
9:1-4). These faithful ones, like the
ones sealed in Revelation, were marked for the special protection of God.
The message of
Revelation seven is that the faithful, regardless of what happens as God pours
out His wrath, will one day stand as victorious overcomers before the throne of
God. He will bring them through the
great tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:21).
It may be through escape or through martyrdom, but either way they will
have access to the blessings associated with the presence of God.
Paul told Timothy that
“...the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those
who are His…” (2 Timothy 2:19). What a
comforting thought! Even though He has a
huge family, I am specifically known and loved.
I’m not just another face in the crowd of humanity. I am marked as someone special to Him.
God loves you!
Mike
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