“From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000″ (Revelation 7:5-8).

From each of the twelve tribes comes the complete number.  When the tribes were carried off into captivity, most of the descendants did not return.  Most were scattered around the world.  From around the world come those who are descendants of Abraham, both of physical but also faith lineage who have been made righteous through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.  Spiritual children from all tribes.  Children of God because of the sacrifice of the Lamb who is worthy.

Lord, my corner is not the church.  My brand and my style are not the church.  The church is made up of all of the people whom You have saved by grace.  Help me to understand that the church, Your people, belongs to You and that You have come so that as many as believe would be counted among those who are saved.  The privilege of membership is knowing You.  Thank you, Lord, for the salvation You have made possible.

<emLord Jesus, You have come to save us.  The day will come when we shall see the number You have saved.  Rather than thinking myself as somehow privileged, swelling of my pride, guide me to humbly understand that You are making this revelation to tell us what You are doing, not how special I am.  Strip my pride and increase my thanks and praise that I may grow in Your likeness.  Amen.

“Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel” (Revelation 7:4).

Twelve tribes, twelve disciples, twelve is a complete number.  When a number times a number is expressed in Scripture and zeros are added, it is an emphasis of infinity.  “How many times should I forgive,” Peter asked.  Jesus replies, “seven times seventy.”  These numbers are not literal, as we think of math, but express an idea.  How many are saved?  The complete number.  From whom?  Every tribe, tongue, folk, and nation.  God is our salvation.

Lord, I know there are those who do all kinds of things with this number.  In context, You are expressing a vast number that is inclusive of all kinds of people.  Help me to not think that I am so smart as to have all of this figured out, but instead, help me focus upon being one of Your children in the making.  Guide me in the salvation You have purchased for me on the cross that I may shine the light of Your presence in my life.

Lord Jesus, I often make things much more complex than they need to be.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of salvation this day so that I may focus upon being one of Yours.  Help me to understand that there are others included in these numbers and that they are all a part of the body You are knitting together from all peoples.  Lord, help me learn how to better love my neighbor.  Amen.

“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God” (Revelation 7:3).

Have you been marked with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit forever?  Do not underestimate what God has already done to provide for you.  He has always been at work.  He knows the plans He has for you.  Do not overlook the simple word, “until.”  Yes, the day will come, and these things will happen.  It is a mystery as to why people think all should be well in this age of sin and rebellion.

Lord, the amazing thing is that the world has as much decency as it does.  But there is wickedness in this world; doubt it not.  Sometimes it even comes through me.  Lead me into Your righteousness so that I will walk humbly with You, my Savior and Lord.  Let the mark You have made upon my new life be evident in what I say and do, no matter the cost, so that others may see the light of Your presence in me.

Lord Jesus, without Your intervention and help, this would be impossible.  Guide me, Lord, in my way of life so that I may walk humbly with You in all aspects of it.  Guide me in Your goodness to know the way I should go and then empower me to walk with Your mark upon me and apparent to others.  Lead me today in the way of truth and keep me in the Father’s will.  Lead me always, Lamb of God.  Amen.

“Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea” (Revelation 7:2)

From whence comes power?  All power belongs to God.  All power!  Do not be deceived in this age.  Too many think they have power, struggle for power, or want power.  It belongs to God.  Come then and live in peace, humbly knowing that the One who holds all power will gather together those who have turned to Him in faith.  Those who learn to become His children in the power He gives them through Christ will look to the rising sun in anticipation.

The devil can do nothing without permission.  No one can.  Why do you believe the lies of those who say they have power?  Why do you not believe the One who has all power?  The Lord who knows you will guard you until the day when you meet Him face to face.  Come into His presence and live according to His plan for your life.  Live and do not rebel.  Live the good life and praise the One who is worthy of all praise.

Lord Jesus, You have given this revelation to encourage those who believe to live toward the day when this age shall pass away and we shall be ushered into eternity.  It will come at death, but that great and terrible day is coming when this age shall forever pass away.  Let me not be concerned with when, for You warned us not to try and figure it out, but to live for You and your neighbors.  Help me to simply keep my eyes upon You always.  Amen.   

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree” (Revelation 7:1).

Who created the earth?  Who can calm the sea with a word?  We modern people discount what Scripture says and we may forget that this creation belongs to the Lord.  Does He still use weather to get our attention?  The Lord uses everything to get our attention.  Why do you think this is mere superstition?  The Lord will stop at nothing to gain your attention so that you may give up the rebellion and join with Him. Do you not know that the LORD abounds in steadfast love?

Lord, many miraculous things have taken place around me in my lifetime and I discount them as just chance or natural occurrences.  You are Lord of all and You have set all things upon their course.  Help me to never forget that You alone are Lord, and of course the four winds are in Your hands.  If You still the wind, You have a purpose.  Help me to look to You for all things knowing that in You is true life and eternal liberty.

Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that all things are in Your hands.  In one sense, all things are natural so that when I hear of something being unnatural, I can smile and know that Your hand has stilled the storm or allowed a storm to come raging in for Your own purpose.  Lead me, Lord, in thanksgiving that You will stop at nothing to fulfill the promise that all things will work together for good for those who love You.  Amen.

“For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Revelation 6:17)

The great and terrible day is coming for all.  On that day there will be a separation of the wheat from the chaff, goats from the sheep, saved from the condemned.  In one sense. It is not a moment to look forward to.  Not that we who are in Jesus will not be saved, but that the condemned will be eternally separated for God.  We should have such compassion that we would want to see no one be damned.  Who indeed will withstand it?  We all shall face the end.

Lord, raise the level of my compassion so that I see in others those who bear Your image.  How easy it is to think like the world and see in others through the hatred, bigotry, and prejudice that drives this age.  Lead me according to Your promises and the hope You have implanted in me so that I continue to hope for those who, for me, seem most hopeless.  Change my heart to be one filled with compassion for those lost in themselves.

Lord Jesus, in great compassion, You died for the ungodly.  That includes me.  You taught us to love our neighbor.  Any whom You have put into my life, regardless of how I feel about them in the moment, are my neighbors.  Help me to learn how to love them as You love them.  Guide me in the upward way of living so that I learn from You how to have compassion for all, knowing the great and terrible day is coming.  Amen.

“They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” (Revelation 6:16)

What will happen in the moment when this age fades away and reality is exposed for those who have lived lives believing that they were their own rulers?  It is not hard to imagine that people such as these, and like some whom you know, will be terrified because they finally know the truth.  Our Lord has told us that the truth will set us free, but some want to remain captive to their own delusions.

Lord, where I am delusional, shatter the delusion.  Even in the moment of discovery, what good will it do to think I have enough power yet to run to the rocks and hide from You?  Oh, the vanity of pride!  Guide me to repent and believe so that I may live according to Your word of hope.  Lead me away from the vanity of this age to live into the truth of eternity.  Do not let me think I can hide my face from You, Lord.

My Lord and Savior, save me this day from the idea that I can run and hide on that day.  Lead me according to Your goodness to live into the hope You give according to Your word.  Help me, O Lord, so that I may ever be guided by You.  When that day comes that this age melts away into eternity, help me to look forward and rejoice in seeing You face to face.  Amen.

“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (Revelation 6:15).

When one is faced with the reality of the Lord, where can they go to hide?  There is no place where the Lord is not able to see.  He who knows all things knows everyone.  But we run and scatter as though we still had power or authority.  That too belongs to the Lord.  Put the Lord on – that is, wear His righteousness and do not think you can flee.  He loves you and condemnation is only for those who refuse and reject His love.

Lord, I pretend to understand much more than I do.  What do I know?  I know that You are God, Creator of heaven and earth.  I know that You have come and died in my place so that I might have by Your grace the ability to live with You.  I know that You claimed me through the water of my baptism.  I know that You care for me and love me.  Lord, teach me to live with the things I know and stop pretending as the world does about the things I do not know.

Lord Jesus, You have made salvation possible.  There are times when I want to run and hide, but what good will that do?  Teach me to live into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is life, hope, and a future.  The rulers of this age may rule for a time, but You are the true ruler of all times, ruling with love, mercy and true justice.  Help me trust You above all things.  Amen.

“The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” (Revelation 6:14).

When we go from here to there, everything will change.  At the end of this age, everything will change.  Do you count on what is here but upon what the Lord has promised.  What you taste, touch and feel here is temporary.  Being with the Lord is forever.  When the moment being spoken of here comes to pass, it will be too late to make your choice.  The Lord has called and asked that you follow Him now.

Lord, You know where I am and the state of my heart.  Guide me, Lord, in the new way of life so that I live with the hope of forever in my heart.  Let this not be just hope for this age, but the hope that You give in the promise of salvation through the grace You purchased on the cross.  Guide me into the way of everlasting life.  Teach me how to prepare in this life for the life to come.  Thank You for providing all that I need.

Dear Lord Jesus, Judge and lover of my soul, guide me this day to humbly walk with You so that I may walk the path of salvation.  Lead me by Your goodness to know that in You alone rests all hope.  Keep me from making light of anything faith requires so that I may not fear what is coming.  Whether I live to the end of the age or not, my own end of this time will come.  Prepare me to be of good cheer.  Amen.

“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind” (Revelation 6:12-13)

Death.  It is the final part of the journey from this age to the next.  Is this talking about what is to come in this age, or about what happens in the moment of death?  We shall find out.  More important is whether you are in the grace of Jesus.  Are you walking with Him or still playing the game of the rebellion in this age?  Come, live into the promise of the Lord and look forward to what is coming rather than looking forward with dread.

Lord, people in this age play games, but in death one sees fear in those who do not believe.  Let me not avoid the reality of death but see that I too shall pass through and then find out what all of this means.  The most important thing is that I follow You and walk with You always.  Guide me. Lord. on the path of salvation. Guide me to always be walking with You, my Lord and my God.  Guide me to live this new life of faith which You have given me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the grace and faith I need to not fear the little death.  I do not relish the idea, but I know it will come.  Help me to have great hope in what You have promised.  Lead me to live this life of faith boldly and to be guided by Your Spirit to grow into Your likeness.  Whether this verse refers to an end time prophecy, the end of my time, or both,  keep my eyes upon You above all things.  Amen.