Revelation 7 DEVO: 144,000 & Those in White Robes

Chapter 7:
“After this…” This chapter represents another new vision for John. It answers the question in 6:17, “Who can withstand it?” It’s kinda’ like a parenthesis between the 6th & 7th seal and it contrasts the preparedness of God’s people with the panic of the unprepared world.
So, you have four angels with power to destroy, covering the whole earth (4 corners = 4 directions on the compass) and for now, holding back. Why? Because God has to put His seal on them first. Only the true servants of God, who are sealed, can be protected from this judgment!
We are then given the exact number – 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. We believe this group of 144,000 will carry God’s message to the world during the difficult days of the tribulation. This is not ALL the faithful, bust a specific group of them given this responsibility to witness at this time. Most likely Christian Jews.
The next thing John sees to write down is “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” This group of people have be cleansed of their sins (white robes) and are praising God big time! I love this next part – one of the elders asks John “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” Like John really knows, so he replies, “Sir, you know.” And he does! “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” These are Jews & Gentiles who have turned to God in the tribulation and died. As a result, they too have been washed of their sins!
SO WHAT?!
*God knows & seals those who are His! Once you are a child of God, you can never not be! How awesome is that?!~! Are you “Hizkid?”
*Yes, there will be a multitude of those who get left behind in the rapture (if you’re pre-trib) that turn to God. It will cost them their lives, yet it will happen. But why put off believing? A heart attack, a car wreck or whatever can always occur at anytime and it be too late. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”