Who is Able to Stand? - Rumor notes 33

 

Who is able to stand? Chapter 7

After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise [east], having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!" I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: (Revelation 7:1-4)

This chapter is an intermission or insertion between the 6^th and 7^th seal that parallels similar ones at the same location for the Trumpets and Bowls located in Revelation 10:1-11:19 and 16:13-16.

4 angels, 4 corners, 4 winds – 3+4=7; 3x4=12

4 is the symbolic number for this world throughout Scripture. In Revelation angels can mean various things, possibly actual angels at times but often people as well. In this passage the holding back of the winds is directly connected to the process and finishing of a sealing activity. This is significant for unpacking the possible meaning of what these angels may represent. But it should be safe to say that whatever they mean, it is something that happens from an outside source rather than something we try to do for ourselves.

And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:7-8)

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face." Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don't put forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of Yahweh.

While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, and behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead. I alone have escaped to tell you." (Job 1:9-12, 18-19)

Again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; in the second chariot black horses; in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot dappled horses, all of them powerful. Then I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" The angel answered me, "These are the four winds of the sky, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth." (Zechariah 6:1-5)

But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

It is important to note that these winds originate from the earth, not from heaven. Harmful winds represent violence. Contrast these kind of winds with what Jesus talked about as a wind that comes from God in John 3:8.

The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

Jesus makes it clear that at least this wind is something we do not control and cannot even predict. Yet the nature of wind is to carry along things with it, and the stronger it becomes the more it overcomes anything resisting its power.

Here are a few other ideas to consider when looking for the meaning of wind. Wind is what comes out of a mouth that is used to form words, to sing and breath for sustaining life as well as what is used for blowing trumpets. We would expect the powers of darkness to counterfeit every aspect of God's design, including wind, and it is apparent that the winds referred to here are from the opposing forces in the war bent on creating problems, harm and destruction.

These 4 angels could be viewed as representing God's counter response to the 4 horsemen previously exposed as counterfeits. The 4 directions of the compass here may also correspond to the 4 creatures around the throne of heaven representing the 4 groups of God's people camped around the sanctuary. If so, maybe these 4 angels might at least in part represent God's design for social organization by which the people involved can be re-formed and restored to God's image and develop His likeness in their character permanently through the transforming of their minds by social interaction with others.

These verses about sealing parallel others found in John 3 where we find wrath contrasted with a seal as a witness of God's truthfulness. Keep in mind that the true definition of wrath is God releasing people to suffer the natural outcome of their own choices to reject His authority in their lives.

What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:32-36)

This provides valuable evidence for use in defining the meaning of this seal. The emphasis here relating to this seal is confident trust that God is true. Connect this to Paul's statement about lies and truth and judgment, and it all begins to become more clear.

For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, "That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment." (Romans 3:3-4)

Jesus alone is the only truthful witness as to the truthfulness and reliability of God. Jesus was sent to this world to testify to the truth, the truth about God, in order to counter the myriads of lies that have infected not only all of humanity but that have influenced the thinking of untold numbers of beings throughout the universe who are involved in this conflict as well. This world is the central stage where the main activities and battles are being carried out in the war between Christ and Satan, and the war revolves around what we will believe about the character of the One who is in charge of all creation and whether His methods and ways can be trusted or whether He is selfish as Satan asserts.

This sealing process is all about the condition of the mind, heart and character. It involves our choices of how to relate to truth and lies and our cooperation with the work of God to transform us entirely through the renewing of our mind.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:1-5)

Coming next in this chapter we read that each tribe listed is composed of exactly the same number of people – 12,000. Why are the numbers listed for each tribe so uniform? We need to see that the sealing process is all about maturing and growing up into the truth, not merely factual or doctrinal truth but much more importantly reflecting the truth about God and His design for humans to reflect His heart. This can only be accomplished through the social organizational structure given by God in the template of the arrangement of the 12 tribes around the sanctuary in the wilderness. This is provided to us as the same means by which the body of Christ becomes organized and united to perfectly synchronize with the Head and each other to become the Bride prepared to marry the Bridegroom. The exact same number for each tribe can represent fullness of maturity on the part of those prepared to reflect the full truth in the last days just as Jesus did.

This process of preparation for the final events that will test the character of every person alive near the end, comes about as we become willing to synchronize with God's design for social organization which is all rooted in the family structure. The arrangement of the tribes in 4 groups of 3 around the sanctuary provides the pattern we need to understand in order to better cooperate with God's work in our lives today. That pattern reveals all the possible social relationships in an amazing design matrix where we may discover how God is preparing and uniting His children for the final showdown. Our preparation is in learning to live in a healthy family relationship relating to each of the 3 social bonding types, as well as to our extended family represented as tribes in which we can find our unique source of identity among 'our people' and where we are integrated into the bigger picture as it relates to Christ's body.

the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea

This harm is not inflicted but rather is released. Notice that up to this point the angels are restraining the winds, so they are not the cause of them but rather are the ones restraining them. Other forces are behind these damaging winds. Harm described as resulting from God's wrath are results of the effects of evil released because of withdrawal of God's protection, not infliction of evil directly from God.

A classic example is in the story of Job. Harm was initiated by Satan against Job when God's protection was temporarily released from around Job's life and family. There can be two sources of evil. There is harm brought about through choices to violate natural law. God's laws are principles that have inherent within them blessings and curses. These are not arbitrary inflictions or rewards but rather consequences that flow from choices or actions. When a principle/law is violated in the natural world (God's kingdom is all based on such laws), there are natural consequences that flow out from that. On the other hand, initiated evil always comes from Satan, not God, which was made quite evident in that story. Others might be complicit in carrying out Satan's designs, but evil originated with Satan and will not go extinct until Satan goes extinct. Yet God is still too often viewed as causing what He permits throughout history. This is one of the main issues addressed in this book.

Earth and sea together can represent all the surface of this planet and all the people involved. Earth might represent less violent people while seas might be more turbulent. That is one possible explanation. However, there are likely better ones since a key phrase used throughout this book is all who dwell on the earth referring to those aligning with the principles of violence and the dragon.

no wind would blow on... any tree

Trees sometimes represent leaders, but the metaphor can apply to anyone. God needs time to develop His children and grow them up into the full maturity of Christ to prepare and fit them for the massive crisis looming ahead. Those who are faithful leaders among His people need protection from spiritual harm as they shepherd others needing mentoring as the body of Christ is knit together before the time of crisis is released. Here are some Scripture examples trees. Keep in mind that the two warring systems are represented by the two trees in the Garden of Eden.

Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh's law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in Yahweh's house. They will flourish in our God's courts. They will still bring forth fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green, (Psalms 92:12-14)

For there will be a day of Yahweh of Armies for all that is proud and haughty, and for all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low: For all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, for all the oaks of Bashan, For all the high mountains, for all the hills that are lifted up, For every lofty tower, for every fortified wall, For all the ships of Tarshish, and for all pleasant imagery. (Isaiah 2:12-16)

The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day. He will consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. It will be as when a standard bearer faints. (Isaiah 10:17-18)

to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust Yahweh is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and the sight of it to all the earth; whose leaves were beautiful, and the fruit of it much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation: it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth. (Daniel 4:20-22)

Yahweh, I cry to you, For the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame has burned all the trees of the field. (Joel 1:19)

Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 7:17-19)

The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Revelation 8:7)

They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don't have God's seal on their foreheads. (Revelation 9:4)

The family arrangement within the extended tribes parallels the design of trees. We even call our history our family tree. The design of trees in how the trunk and branches are arranged is the example of how we are arranged socially and how all the different components of our makeup is to complement, strengthen and relate to everyone around us. One reason that trees must be protected from harm by restraining the winds is because trees represent the outline of how the tribes are connected with each other. Through the template God provided, we may find a safe environment for our formative process of growth to become integrated into the body of Christ where we may discover our proper place and function according to the principles of heaven, united in purpose and spirit.

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

We are not meant to live alone, attempting to relate to God apart from the design He has given. God said during creation week it was not good for a human to be alone. A tree is defined by the natural relationship of how branches and leaves connect and how fruit is produced. Jesus used a vine as the example of how we are to live in community to produce much fruit. Hierarchy distorts this resulting in attempts to produce fruit in isolation on our own. This can result in imagining that God views us critically or refuses to accept us until we get our act together. This is another scheme of the enemy that must be defeated by consenting to be integrated into God's family by His Spirit.

I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise [east]

In our study of prophecy we find that generally those who come from the East are usually in favor with God or come directly from God. The magi that welcomed Jesus' birth came from the East. The second coming of Jesus is seen to originate from the East. The east side of the encampment of Israel was represented by the Lion represents emotional intensity and is one of the symbols of the Lamb. East represents great joy, but the hijacked version of this represents the intense fear that Satan uses to manipulate all who dwell on the earth. Jesus designs that we should live in His presence where there is the most intense joy. This angel messenger who comes from the East is likely associated with the angel found at the beginning of chapter 18.

After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. (Revelation 18:1)

I believe the sealing process preparing a people to meet Jesus involves those who are willing to have their entire thinking and living transformed by the glory of the true gospel, the mind-altering good news that Jesus brings about the truth of God's heart and how evil will be defeated. God's glory is the truth about His character of love and that there is no darkness at all in Him. This is the light that must be absorbed and reflected by all who will be sealed, for the sealing means a deep settling into the real truth that brings full alignment of the life into harmony with the life of Jesus. But this is done through receiving and cooperating with the process and power provided from heaven, not through efforts of our own to make ourselves righteous. The authority that this mighty angel relies on to illuminate the earth is the commission given by Jesus along with the permission given by those who choose to allow God to renew their minds and to enable them to live just as Jesus lived, loving, serving, forgiving and demonstrating the truth about how God thinks and relates to sinners.

Keep in mind that this entire chapter is a direct response to the question left dangling from the last chapter asking who is able to stand when the Lamb shows up. It will be those whose lives and minds and hearts have been transformed by living in and reflecting God's love personally who will be prepared to meet Him with joy instead of feeling terror when He comes.

the seal of the living God

What do you think is intended to be emphasized by the word living in reference to God here?

In contrast to false gods in materialism? Yet demonic spirits are alive. How might this relate to turning away from false sources of power and pleasure that seem very alive?

There are a number of ways to relate to this word seal. Let's begin by looking at the definition from Strong's for the Greek word translated seal here.

a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively:--seal.

I believe this can involve various ways in which we use the word seal too. A seal can be a symbol, a mark made by pressing a signet ring onto wax to create an impression.

A seal might also refer to something put around inside a door opening to prevent air from moving from one area to another. Sealing is used as a protective coating for wood or metal objects to preserve them from harm caused by outside forces such as moisture that could result in rot or rust. A seal finish also acts to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of wood and to highlight its uniqueness. A clear finish coat locks in all that has been done previously such as sanding, polishing and staining as the sealing coat. Such a sealer is usually transparent, yet it is essential so that all the work leading up to the sealing will not have been in vain.

They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don't have God's seal on their foreheads. (Revelation 9:4)

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. (Job 33:15-17)

For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;' likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain. He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.

(Job 37:6-7)

Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place; that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it? It is changed as clay under the seal, and stands forth as a garment. From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken.

(Job 38:12-15)

You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, 'HOLY TO YAHWEH.' (Exodus 28:36)

Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I aroused you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labor and bore you. Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yahweh. Many waters can't quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

(Song of Solomon 8:5-7)

Wrap up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples. I will wait for Yahweh, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. (Isaiah 8:16-17)

Yahweh said to him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst of it. To the others he said in my hearing, Go you through the city after him, and strike: don't let your eye spare, neither have you pity; kill utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but don't come near any man on whom is the mark: and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men that were before the house. He said to them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go you forth. They went forth, and struck in the city. (Ezekiel 9:4-7)

He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. (John 3:33)

Don't work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him. (John 6:27)

He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them. (Romans 4:11)

Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:12-14)

Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

(Ephesians 4:30)

However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." (2 Timothy 2:19)

Sealing people is a process of settling them permanently into the character that their choices have created over time. There can be a hardening of the heart by those who resist the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This hardening is similar to the sealing process, yet the opposite in some respects. This sealing we see here is not hardening the heart but rather sealing in the grace, truth and love that have been allowed to soften the heart and make it function as designed again. The sealing is needed in order to protect the heart from reinfection of selfishness, greed, pride and anything foreign to the kingdom of heaven. It is the counterpart of the mark of the beast which we will study later, a mark that is rooted in fear while the seal of God is about love and mercy.

In effect, this sealing is the process of maturing the character until it beautifully reflects the character of God. This takes place by remaining exposed to the light of God's glory and being transformed by that light to take on permanently the image of God internally. All who refuse this maturing process become more immature as the character of selfishness reduces their capacity to see objective reality in truth. Those who are sealed in preparation for the final events of this world's history are sealed in the fruit of the Spirit of God that they reflect, just as those who receive the mark of the beast reflect the spirit of the beast they endorse and follow. This sealing transforms God's children into light-emitting stones to compose the temple of God, whose lives are made into transparent, living lights to bring glory and honor to God in the midst of intense darkness.