Now it is interesting that chapter 6 deals with the first six seals and chapter 7 breaks before discussing the last seal in chapter 8. As mentioned before, this indicates that certain things happen before the 7th Seal is released. This is Jesus showing us that certain things must take place, before the next round of judgments will commence. 

So what happens during this interlude ?

In Revelation 7, we read that 4 angels hold back the winds of the earth until 144 000 from the tribes of Israel are sealed. It goes on to mentioned 12 000 people selected from each tribe of Israel. ( Rev 7 : 1 - 8  ). Many cults have laid claim to be included in this 144000 elect; including Mormons.

However; such claims are baseless. The scriptures clearly state that the 144 000 are selected from Israel and are therefore of Jewish origin.

Historically, the Israel in the old testament had 12 tribes. The only difference is that when we compare the tribes listed here in Revelation with those that we know of the old testament book of Ezekiel, we come across a few differences:

The tribe of Levi's is mentioned in Revelation and not in Ezekiel. Some people believe that as the Levi's were used in the temple to serve God; they were not allowed to own land. Thereby, they are not mentioned in Ezekiel. Obviously if this tribe is now incorporated, one has to fall away ... The Tribe of Dan is ommitted which provides for some interesting questions. 

Many Bible commentators believe that the antichrist has Jewish origins from the tribe of Dan; and thereby Dan is excluded from the list of these evangelical Jews in Revelation. This is believed as plausible, with reference to the following scripture :

According to these scriptures, the angels were holding back the winds from the four corners of the earth. We know why they were holding back the winds; as Seal 6 was released; and we have already realized that seal 6 relates to warfare of nuclear proportions - The scriptures continue to tell us that the winds are held back until the full number of 144 000 in the land of Israel are sealed; with a special seal identifying them as Gods elect.

Unfortunately, there are many people who try and identify themselves with this 144 000 of Israel. Some have stated that the 144 000 are represented as follows:

• 12 tribes of Israel (Refer Leviticus) x 12 Apostles / Disciples x 1 000 (to signify vast quantity) = 144k 

Therefore, the Christians are also a part of those that were sealed.  The major problem with this interpretation, is that this vision was specifically for Israel; and coupled to this, these 12 tribes relate to the original 12 tribes of Israel. The church has never ever been stated as being Israel.

We also know that the number “12” in the bible also carries a specific “ perfect or complete “ relationship throughout the bible. [ The number 7 usually denotes earthly perfection; whilst the number 12 is normally a symbol of heavenly perfection ] Hence 12 x 12 = 144; that they are Jews elected by God, there is no doubt.

To answer this we look  back to a verse in the old testament that describes God leaving the tabernacle 

Ok, now we know why they are sealed. Although not specifically stated, it is presumed they are sealed from the wrath of God to follow after the release of the 6th Seal. 

These are an elect 144 k Jews that are to be saved from the effects of the coming wrath of God. 

These same Jews will produce a massive harvest of Christians. 

This is to prevent these Jews from being killed by the wrath of God or maybe to receive the special anointing that God has in store for them.

Revelation goes on to explain the large crowd, that cannot be numbered, out of every nation, tribe and language of the earth, worshipping God in heaven.

Once again, the large crowds in heaven has caused some room for unnecessary debate. The scriptures make it clear that these are the people who have come to believe in Jesus during the tribulation. They will not experience the great tribulation; that is the second half of the tribulation. They indeed appear in heaven at the half way mark of the tribulation.

This is what causes many people to stumble and believe that the rapture takes part at the midway point. After all, we know that the 6th Seal ends off the 1st half of the tribulation. However; we have already seen that according to the prophetic words of John to the church of Philadelphia; God's faithful ones will be kept from the entire period or hour of the tribulation. However; other scriptures tell us that Christians are not to experience the wrath of God. We see that the wrath of God descends on the earth in the 2nd half of the tribulation; often referred to as the Great Tribulation. After the 6th seal we are told that the wrath of God has now come ... and now we see the large multitude in heaven; confirming that these "Christians" would not receive the wrath of God.

 

This can be quiet complex to understand how everything fits; so we prepared a scriptural reference table below. Please click on the image on the left.

Of course there are many other schools of thought that also have severe pitfalls. Another school of thought is that this is a flash forward to what is to occur after Gods wrath has been placed on the earth and Jesus returns to the earth in his 2nd coming.

However, we can see that the sealing of Gods 144 000 and the 7th Seal are clearly related to one another. It makes no sense for the scriptures to be taken out of context; especially as a flash forward.