A Revelation Invitation

Then 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 harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. (Revelation 7:2-8 ESV)

We have all gazed at the night sky and marveled at the countless stars. When visible from horizon to horizon, the billions of points of light awe us with their majesty. When we consider that our sun is just one star in this vast galaxy we call the Milky Way, we may even feel insignificant in the universe. When the prophet Isaiah contemplated the heavens and the God who created them, he wrote, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26 ESV). We are no less significant than any of the innumerable stars that God knows by name. In a sea of humanity, God calls forth each of his people by name, too. Not one of us is overlooked.

This assurance is what the Holy Spirit intended when John heard the number of the sealed, 144,000. As numbers usually have special meanings in Revelation, this one is no different. The number 12 represents the people of God (e.g. the twelve tribes of Israel or the twelve apostles of Jesus). The number one thousand can be symbolic of completeness as when God claims, “for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10 ESV). These numbers are multiplied to amplify their significance: (12 x 12) x 1,000 = 144,000. This number represents all the people of God. A detailed census followed revealing that 12,000 were counted from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. God has identified those who belong to him, his chosen people. He has accounted for every last one of them. Not one of his servants has been overlooked. Not a single one of his faithful followers has been forgotten.

John observed that an angel had placed God’s seal on the foreheads of his 144,000 servants. This scene resembles a vision of the prophet Ezekiel in which he saw a man with a writing kit go throughout the city and put a mark on the foreheads of those who, like God, hated the detestable practices of the people of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9:1-6). Others followed this man and killed the residents of the city sparing only those with the mark. This was God’s way of promising his people that he would protect a remnant that would survive the impending destruction of the city. In Roman times a document or other artifact (e.g. Jesus’ tomb) that was sealed could not be opened except by someone with legal authority. A seal might also be an indicator of authenticity or ownership. In John’s vision Christians would see that the seal on their foreheads set them apart as those who belonged to God. The Christians were protected, not necessarily from suffering, but protected from the judgment that was about to be unleashed on Rome. So, when the pagans asked, “Who can stand?”, we learn the answer: the 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel. We can stand … and we do!

We should take comfort in knowing that we are known, loved and protected by the God of heaven. The world around us may be in chaos. Our society may bear God’s judgment. We may even suffer because of it. But our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. If God can keep track of every single one of the innumerable stars of the sky, he is more than capable of watching over, caring for and protecting each one of us.

Great God of heaven, I stand in awe of all you have created. I marvel that you can name each one of the stars of the sky. I am comforted by your assurance that you know even me. Watch over me, protect me. I believe that your gracious gift of eternal life through your son Jesus Christ is secure until the last day. Nothing that happens before then can take that from me. Amen.