After yesterday's chapter which foretold of the impending suffering the world would suffer, chapter 7 is a wonderful one to read. We hear about the 144,000 who have been marked with the seal of God. While we could take this number literally, I believe that it is symbolic. First, this number is split among the twelve tribes of Israel. This reminds me that all of those that God has chosen and called children, are represented in those that are sealed. God chose to work through the Israelite nation and when those of us who are gentiles, come to know Christ, I believe we become spiritual Israelites. Therefore, I see gentiles as being included in this 144,000 sealed believers.
The other thing I notice about this number is how large it is. I keep reminding myself that in today's world, where there are more people currently alive than have ever lived, we see numbers like 144,000 and they don't seem as large as they would have in a world with less people. When you consider that the ancient Roman Colosseum would hold about 45,000, we are looking at a number that is more than double the largest gatherings of that time. A number that would feel extremely huge and uncountable. And in fact, after referring to this group as 144,000, verse 9 says, "I saw a vast crowd, too great to count..." Beyond those that are sealed, we find this other group that has been cleansed and represents those who have died in the tribulation.
The bottom line is, this chapter speaks of those who will be sealed and those who be cleansed in the tribulation and stand in front of the throne of heaven. While things may get grim during this time, those who remain faithful will be taken under God's wing.
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