Ep 497 – Revelation 7:1-8

God keeps His promises. He is a covenant-keeping God who never fails to follow through on His commitments. And that is an important lesson found within the pages of the book of Revelation. Every aspect of the vision given to John was prophesied well in advance. The Old Testament Scriptures are full of God's promises regarding His plans for the people of Israel and for the future judgment of the world. And yet, there are many who seem to believe that God is done with the people of Israel. There are those who read the book of Revelation and see all the promises described as being fulfilled for the nation of Israel as actually referring to the church. They interpret many of the references to the salvation of Jews as being symbolic of God's ongoing redemption of man through the salvation made possible in Jesus Christ. And while there are many who will come to faith in Christ during the days of the tribulation, we cannot overlook the fact that God will do a unique work among His chosen people, the Israelites. And in Revelation 7:1-8, we will learn of His plans for the 144,000. This group of Jewish men will be graciously and miraculously converted, placing their faith in Christ. They will become witnesses to the world, including both Jews and Gentiles, resulting in the salvation of many, even during the darkest days of the tribulation. The story of the Bible is one of God always preserving and protecting a remnant of His people, and that includes His wayward child, Israel.