Revelation 7:1-3 - Mercy

It is somewhat helpful to know an overview of the Book of Ruth when reading this chapter. It is a story of a Jew and a Gentile. The book begins with a Jewish woman named Naomi. She represents the nation of Israel. She is married to a man named Elimelech which means My God is King. So, Israel is in covenant with God. As the story unfolds she finds herself out of covenant and living in exile. A gentile woman named Ruth becomes, through Naomi, a part of the nation of Israel and is brought to the knowledge of God. Ruth becomes Naomi’s adopted daughter. At the end, Ruth becomes a blessing to Naomi through a child. So, through Naomi came Ruth’s redemption, and through Ruth comes Naomi’s blessing.

This idea that the church of Israel and the church of Gentiles are separate but together in salvation is called Dispensational theology. The opposite is Covenant perspective which says that there is a “new Israel” since Israel rejected Christ as the Messiah.

In the 6th chapter six seals were broken. There was massive devastation as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were unleashed. It ends with the question from those who remain in 6:17, “the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Then there is chapter 7. It is a pause in judgment, God again offers mercy and salvation to any who are left who will believe. Everyone is given every opportunity to know that He is God.

7 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

The hand of judgment is delayed. The four angels are told to not harm the earth, the sea, or the land until those who serve God are “sealed”. What does a seal do?

1. It protects. 
2. It identifies. 
3. It declares ownership, possession.

Here in the judgment, God shows mercy.  Praise God today for His mercy extended to you even though you are who you are and have done what you have done.  He always has His hand out for you. Choose to reach for Him today.