New Testament in a Year

Revelation 7:1-17
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Revelation chapter 7 verse 3 in today’s reading tells us: “Wait! Don’t hurt the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”  Commentaries suggest that the seal represents the name of God being stamped on the foreheads of his followers – to protect them from the coming judgments.  This imagery is very similar to Ezekiel 9:4 – “”Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

Verse 4 tells us: “And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God. There were 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel.”  Some interpret this to mean 144,000 descendents of the actual Jewish tribes during the time of tribulation, which I agree with.  Others interpret this passage to be symbolic of all the faithful believers who live during the time of tribulation.

Verses 5 through 8 are interesting in that Judah is listed first, which is unusual.  When the twelve tribes of Israel are listed usually Reuben, his older brother, is listed first.  The thought here is that since Jesus and David came from the tribe of Judah, that is why it is listed first.  Also, the tribe of Dan is not listed – which may be because Dan had some idolatry issues in Judges 18:30.  Instead, Manasseh, one of Joseph’s son’s is listed – along with Joseph.

Verse 12 is very powerful in that it has 7 attributes of God: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and forever.”  Will you attribute to God – Blessing?  Glory?  Wisdom?  Thanksgiving?  Honor?  Power?  Strength?  Forever….?  Has anyone read A.W. Tozer’s book “The Attributes of God“?  I haven’t, but have heard it is terrific!

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel:”

Are you a captive in need of Ransom?  Click here to meet your Emmanuel!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

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