1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
The scene turns again to the spiritual. We will see this changing perspective throughout the work. Four angels are standing at the four corners of the earth. In the old world, the four corners of the earth was to show the four directions of the earth, or the entire earth. The Hebrew word used here for wind is Ruach.
When we go to Zechairah 6:1-8, it gives us a little more insight into these four winds:
6 I looked up again, and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black, 3 the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful. 4 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world. 6 The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.” 7 When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth. 8 Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.”
Zechariah, one of the minor prophets, also had a vision which involved the same sort of concept. He saw these as chariots. You’ll notice that Zechariah’s chariots are the same color as the horses in John’s vision. They are known as the “spirits” of heaven - Ruach- the same word used for wind. These winds, which the angels are holding back in John’s vision, are synonymous with the horses of chapter 6. This is the spirit, the wind which will be unleashed as judgement on the unrepentant.
Another angel ascending from the east holds the seal of God’s people. A seal, in the ancient world, showed ownership. The Jewish people belongs to God. A seal is known to be given to the servants of God. (Revelation 14:1), Ezekiel 7:4).
If the seal is given to the Jewish people, then what of Christians? In Paul’s writings, he tells us that Christians have a similar sealing:
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit… (Ephesians 1:13)
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19).
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The sealing of the 144,000 is very important to understand. Some religious practices use this out of context for purposes of exhalation of self and exclusion of others. The bible is clear off the meaning.
The 144,000 are Jewish people, 12,000 from each tribe.
The Children of Israel (Rev 7:4) Specific Tribal affiliation (Rev 7:4-8) Protected by God/Triumph through God’s Wrath/Meeting Jesus at his return (Rev 14:1) Celibate (Rev. 14:4) At the beginning of the great harvest (Rev. 14:4) Integrity and Faithfulness (Rev. 14:5)
The 144,000 refers to end times Jews who come to faith in Jesus. They are protectively sealed throughout the tribulation. They are the beginning of the salvation of Israel. They are not part of the church proper, but a selected sect of protected Jews that will lead others to salvation. The Jewish people have a very important role in the end times.
This passage has been corrupted by Jehovah’s Witness. In their theology, 144,000 is the limit to the number who will reign with Christ in Heaven and spend eternity with God. This concept is called Heavenly Hope. Those who are not among the 144,000 will enjoy what is called Earthy Hope.
The 144,000, according to Jehovah’s Witness, began accumulating in 33 AD (at Pentacost) and eded in 1935 when the full number was reached. Of course, the entire list was composed of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Only members of the 144,000 are allowed to take communion. The rest are part of the “Great Crowd” (Revelation 7:9-10).
In essence, based on this passage, the Jehovah Witnesses have set up a caste system of those who are accepted and those who can never share in the communion between God and man. The bible places no numeric limit on eternity.
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
These people are worshipping God’s sovereignty. It is not only the Jewish people but people of all nations. There is no sorrow there, only peace.