Revelation 7

King James Version

Full text for Revelation Chapter 7

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.

2And 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,

3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

4And 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.

5Of 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.

6Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand.

7Of 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.

8Of 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.

9After 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, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13¶ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Revelation 7 describes a pause in divine judgment, during which 144,000 servants from the tribes of Israel are sealed on their foreheads. Following this, John beholds an innumerable multitude from every nation, standing before God's throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes and offering praise for salvation. An elder reveals these are those who emerged from great tribulation, having been cleansed by the Lamb's blood, and who will forever be cared for by God.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with John witnessing four angels holding back destructive forces from the earth, sea, and trees. Another angel then appears from the east, bearing the seal of the living God, and commands the four angels to delay their work until God's servants are sealed. John hears that 144,000 individuals are sealed, specifically 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Subsequently, John sees a vast, uncountable multitude from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue, standing before the throne and the Lamb. These individuals, arrayed in white robes and holding palms, loudly proclaim salvation belongs to God and the Lamb. The angels, elders, and four beasts join in worship, offering blessing, glory, and power to God. An elder explains to John that this multitude consists of those who have endured great tribulation and have been purified by the blood of the Lamb. Consequently, they serve God in His temple, experiencing His presence, and are promised an end to all suffering, being nourished and comforted by the Lamb.

Long Summary

Revelation 7 begins with a vision of four angels positioned at the earth's corners, restraining the four winds to prevent harm to the earth, sea, and trees. This pause in judgment is orchestrated by another angel ascending from the east, who possesses the seal of the living God. This angel issues a command to the four destructive angels, instructing them not to inflict harm until the servants of God are sealed upon their foreheads. John then hears the specific number of those sealed: 144,000, comprising 12,000 individuals from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, including Juda, Reuben, Gad, Aser, Nepthalim, Manasses, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph, and Benjamin. Following this sealing, John's vision shifts to a magnificent scene in heaven. He beholds a great multitude, so vast that no one could number them, gathered from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue. These individuals stand reverently before the throne of God and before the Lamb, distinguished by their white robes and palms in their hands. With a loud voice, they attribute their salvation to God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. All the angels, elders, and the four beasts surrounding the throne prostrate themselves in worship, offering a resounding "Amen" and proclaiming blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might to God for ever and ever. One of the elders then engages John, inquiring about the identity and origin of those arrayed in white robes. John humbly defers, stating that the elder knows. The elder then reveals that these are they who have emerged from the "great tribulation," having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Because of their purification and endurance, they are granted perpetual access to God's throne, serving Him day and night in His temple. The elder further promises that God Himself will dwell among them, and they will experience an end to all suffering, never again knowing hunger, thirst, or the scorching sun. The Lamb, positioned in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, leading them to living fountains of waters, and God will tenderly wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Core Concepts

  • The Sealing of God's ServantsAn angel from the east seals 144,000 individuals from the twelve tribes of Israel on their foreheads, signifying divine protection before further judgments are released upon the earth.
  • Restraint of JudgmentFour angels are seen holding back destructive winds, indicating a temporary pause in the unfolding of divine wrath until God's chosen servants are secured.
  • The Great MultitudeJohn witnesses an innumerable assembly from all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues, standing before God's throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes and praising God for salvation.
  • Washing in the Lamb's BloodThe elder explains that the great multitude's white robes signify their purification and redemption, having been cleansed and made white through the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb.
  • Deliverance from TribulationThe great multitude is identified as those who have come out of "great tribulation," implying a period of intense suffering or persecution from which they have been preserved or delivered.
  • Eternal Worship and ComfortThose in the great multitude serve God perpetually in His temple, experiencing His direct presence and receiving ultimate comfort, with the Lamb feeding them and God wiping away all their tears.
  • Sovereignty of God and the LambThe chapter emphasizes the ultimate authority and worthiness of God and the Lamb, as both the sealed and the great multitude offer praise and worship, acknowledging their role in salvation and eternal care.