LECTURE VII
THE REDEEMED OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD (A Parenthetical Vision) 7:1-17 We have already called attention to the fact that John saw a parenthetical vision between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. It is this vision that we are to study in this lesson. But why the pause? Why the delay? For our answer, let us read the first three verses of chapter seven: "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." In these verses the four angels are portrayed as restraining the winds of heaven until the sealed ones are called out. Now the winds, in the Word of God. represent the providences of God. The Lord, in that day, will be allowing certain events to take place. The Antichrist will be put into the world; but here, after the sixth seal has been opened, God restrains the winds. He holds back certain movements until He seals His witnesses in the world-12,000 from every tribe-144.000 children of Israel. redeemed and sealed for His service. The sealing of the 144,000 Jews is set forth in verses 4-8; then follows a description of the vision John saw of the redeemed from among the Gentile nations during the tribula tion period. God never leaves Himself without a witness in the earth. And chapter seven is a bright picture in a dark setting. The sin and suffering and chaos and confusion of this darkest period of the world's history will, nevertheless, witness a vast multitude of Jews and Gentiles redeemed by "the blood of the Lamb." ·
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