John’s vision continues with the introduction of the four angels and their work.
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 could blow on earth or sea or against any tree (Revelation 7.1).
The angels control the wind, which is pictured as a destructive agent of God.
Another angel enters the scene with the authority to direct the actions of the four.
I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to damage earth and sea,
Saying, “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads” (Revelation 7.2-3).
Most people have heard about the mark of the beast, which is recorded in Revelation 16.2 and 19.20.
The fact that God has a mark for his people unfortunately seems to get less attention. The mark of God is mentioned here and in Revelation 14.1 and 22.4.
The Mark of God in Ezekiel
Before a time of intense judgment, Ezekiel had a vision of “a man clothed in linen with a writing case at his side” (Ezekiel 9.2). The Lord charged the man to place a mark on the foreheads of certain persons in Jerusalem.
The Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing case at his side
And said to him, “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it” (Ezekiel 9.3-4).
The man clothed in linen marked the people who were aligned with God because they shared God’s grief over the evil behavior of the majority of Jerusalem’s inhabitants.
To explain this, imagine a beautiful house that has been damaged by termites and neglect. Some people are willing to live in the damaged house and contribute to its further deterioration, while others work hard to restore it to its former glory.
Most people in Jerusalem were satisfied with living in a society that rebelled against God’s intentions. They ignored the good that God wanted for his people and even encouraged the opposite.
However, some felt sorrowful over the corruption of God’s plan and desired to bring it back on track.
This story is still relevant today. It’s as if the world is a house that’s falling apart, and we have a choice to make. We can either choose to ignore the decay and live with it or align ourselves with God’s plan and strive for the best.
In the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, there’s a mark that symbolizes being aligned with God. This mark is for people who choose to follow God’s love for humanity and seek the best for the world, rather than accepting the decay and destruction of society.
Paul had it right when he wrote, “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness'” (2 Timothy 2:19).
The 144,000
The 144,000 is a twofold way of emphasizing completeness. Twelve is the number of completeness. Multiples of twelve emphasize that everyone who has the seal of God will be protected from the coming judgment.
John wrote about the 144,000 and listed the tribes of Israel from which they came.
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel:
From the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed . . . and from the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed (Revelation 7.4-8).
In today’s video, Rudy Ross talks about the omission of the tribe of Dan from the list. He also shares why he feels that the 144,000 is symbolic of all who receive God’s seal, including Jews and Gentiles.
Peter emphasizes the character of people who have the seal of God.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Let’s Remember
The mark of God is a symbol of God’s protection for those who align themselves with His purposes and seek His best. It is a mark of character and not a physical seal.
Today, the mark of God is available to all who call on His name and turn away from wickedness, whether Jew or Gentile.
As God’s own people, we are called to proclaim His excellence and share His light with the world.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 