Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
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THANKS BE UNTO GOD!
Rev. 7:1-10

Rev 7:1-10 KJV
1    And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2    And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3    Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4    And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5    Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6    Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7    Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8    Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
9    After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb
10    And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Rev 7:1-10 NASB
1    After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind should blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.
2    And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
3    saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads."
4    And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5    from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand {were} sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,
6    from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,
7    from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,
8    from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand {were} sealed.
9    After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and {all} tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches {were} in their hands;
10    and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

INTRODUCTION Topic: God Subtopic: Power of
A little girl listened attentively as her father read the family devotions. She seemed awed by her parents' talk of God's limitless power and mercy. "Daddy," she asked, placing her little hands on his knees, "how big is God." Her father thought for a moment and answered, "Honey, he is always just a little bigger than you need." We can give thanks.

1. Thanks to God for His . . Control. v 1-3

A. Control of . . Earth's Elements. v 1-3
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees,

There is an angel of the fire (14:18) and an angel of the waters (16:5). (ATR p 348)

ILLUSTRATION: Ice Storm passed us by Nov.25,96
You may know Noval and Clara got married last Monday. Some of us prayed for good weather. God could have arranged for Mtn View to escape the ice. He is in control.

B. Control of . . Earth's Elect. v 3 b
". . . till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

1 Seal mentioned seven times in this chapter.

2. Seal mentioned in Rev. 9:4
a. Contrast with the Mark of the beast Rev 13:16-18

ILLUSTRATION: Topic: God Index: 3808-3811
Two young men, one a Christian and the other a skeptic, traveling through Switzerland, walked along the brow of a steep cliff, conversing of the providence of God. "I should not be willing to live another day," said the Christian earnestly, "if I could not believe that the Almighty directed my steps. I have no anxiety; for I trust his unerring guidance. No circumstance is too trifling for his control.

The other replied, "I can control myself. See here!" And he paused to roll a stone down the precipice. "Did the Lord direct that pebble? See this lonely tree standing so near the edge! Do you suppose God ordained it should grow just in that spot? Some traveler threw the seed. Did the Almighty declare just where it should fall, and take root?" He threw one arm around a limb of the tree, and leaned against the trunk for his companion to reply. The soil began to crumble; and, before he could move, that part of the bank had fallen upon the rocks below. Only his arm around the tree, and one foot upon the stone, where it partly rested, saved his life. For an instant, both travelers stood motionless.

Then the Christian fell on his knees in prayer. The skeptic came, and reverently knelt beside him. Silently they arose, and resumed their journey. God himself had spoken to the soul of the skeptic. He became a humble Christian, and a minister of the gospel. -- Tweksbury

2. Thanks to God for His . . Covenant. v 4-8

4    And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5    Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6    Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7     Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8    Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

A. The Covenant with the . . Separate Tribes of Israel.

        1.    This refers to Israel.
                The number connotes perfection (Alford), 12x12x1000 = a hundred and forty-four thousands. . . (ATR p 350)
               a.    Not Seventh Day Adventist.
                b    Not so called Jehovah Witnesses.

2. The Faithful Tribes are listed.

B. The Covenant with the . . Suspended Tribes of Israel.

1. Some Tribes not mentioned.

Irenaeus suggested that Antichrist was expected to come from the tribe of Dan and hence the omission here.(ATR p350)

Dan and Ephraim guilty of Idolatry?

ILLUSTRATION: Topic: Protection Index: 364-371
Some fifty years ago, one bitter January night, the inhabitants of the old town of Sleswick were thrown into the greatest distress and terror. A hostile army was marching down upon them, and new and fearful reports of the conduct of the lawless soldiers were hourly reaching the place. In one large, spacious cottage dwelt an aged grandmother with her widowed daughter and her grandson. While all hearts quaked with fear, this aged woman passed her time in crying out to God that he would "build a wall of defense round about" them, quoting the words of an ancient hymn. Her grandson asked why she prayed for a thing so entirely impossible as that God should build a wall about their house, that should hide it; but she explained that her meaning only was that God should protect them. At midnight the dreaded tramp was heard, an enemy came pouring in at every avenue, filling the houses to overflowing. But, while most fearful sounds were heard on every side, not even a knock came to their door; at which they were greatly surprised. The morning light made the matter clear; for, just beyond the house, the drifted snow had reared such a massive wall that it was impossible to get over it to them.

"There!" said the good woman triumphantly: "do you not see, my son, that God could raise up a wall around us?"

3. Thanks to God for His . . Compassion. v 9-10

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

A. The . . Variety in God's Compassion. v 9 a

1. Innumerable.
a. Every Nation, Kindred, People, and Tongues.

B. The . . Victory in God's Compassion. v 9 b - 10
1. Unapologetically.
v 9 b ". . . stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
v 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

ILLUSTRATION Topic: Future Life Subtopic: Joys of Date: 3/1988.30
A little girl was walking with her father in the country. No neon signs, no automobile headlights or street lamps marred the stillness of the crisp evening. As she looked into the deep blue velvet sky, studded with an array of diamonds which put the most dazzling Tiffany display to shame, she said, "Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what do you think the right side will be like?"

Some day all believers in Jesus Christ will see the "right side" of heaven.

CONCLUSION:

1. Thanks to God for His . . Control.

2. Thanks to God for His . . Covenant.

3. Thanks to God for His . . Compassion.

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