Passage Summary
After the judgment of the sixth seal, an “interlude” takes place. Four angels protect the earth from further judgment until another angel went about to seal 144,000 Jews (7:1–3), perhaps won to the gospel through the witness of the two prophets (cf. 11:3). These 144,000 would tell the world about Jesus and die as martyrs for their testimony (cf. 12:13, 17; 14:1–5). Each of the twelve tribes listed would have 12,000 men sealed, 144,000 in all (7:5–8). This group was only a portion of those who would be saved during the Tribulation (cf. 7:9–14), and as martyrs, not a part of the third of Israel saved at the end of the Tribulation (cf. Zech 13:1, 8–9).
Old Testament in the New
| Revelation | Old Testament | Connection Between the Two |
| 7:1 | Isa 11:12; Jer 49:36; Ezek 7:2; 37:9; Dan 7:2; Zech 6:5 | Whether corners or winds, the idea of totality in geography is dominant.
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| 7:3 | Ezek 9:4–6 | The mark of God protects His people from judgment. |
| 7:4–8 | Ezek 48:31–34 | In comparison to 18 other lists in the OT, this one matches in names, though not order. |
A Parting Thought
Even in the midst of this age’s conclusive wrath, God will temporarily relieve His judgment in order for tens of thousands of Jews to be saved. In all likelihood, these evangelists would be part of the means whereby the great multitude of the Tribulation would hear the gospel and be saved. Even in wrath, God is a God of mercy!