Read this chapter and answer the questions below.
SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Between the sixth and seventh seals is an interlude (an interruption in the scene) that involves all of chapter seven. The seventh seal will be opened in chapter eight. In chapter six we saw the saints under the altar (9-11) and a terrible judgment coming upon the earth which closed with the question, "Who is able to stand?" (12-17). In view of this one might ask, "Will the saints on earth be able to stand and what will happen to the souls under the altar?" John's interlude (a vision of two parts) answers these questions. The saints on earth are sealed and those martyred are before the throne of God. Thus, the first part of the interlude is to permit the sealing of the saints in order that they will be able to endure the afflictions set forth in chapter six. The judgments seem to be altered so that they will not hurt God's children.
After these things (he now reveals the second part of the interlude scene), John sees a great multitude, which no man could number out of every nation and from every tribe, people and tongue. Some religious groups try to teach that these are the saved who inherit the earth and the 144,000 are those who receive heaven. However, the 144,000 represent those sealed of all the tribes of
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR REVELATION 7
1. What do you think the four angels holding the four winds represent?
2. What does the angel from the east cry out to the four angels mentioned in verse 1?
3. Who do you think the 144,000 are?
4. What two tribes of
5. How large is the gathering before the throne and what are they clothed in?
6. What are the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures doing before the throne doing?
7. Who were those arrayed in white robes?