Israel Sealed

After this I saw four angels at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel, who had the seal of The Living God rising up from the east. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were empowered to harm the earth and the sea:" Don't harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the slaves of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of those who were sealed: 

144,000 sealed from every tribe of Israel:

12,000 sealed from the tribe of Judah

12,000 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"

Revelation 7:1-8

It is almost as if there is a secondary scene taking place in the time of the judgement, a scene that shows the protection for a number of those chosen from each of the tribes named. It is interesting to note that the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are replaced by Joseph and Levi. This is thought because of the severe idolatry of the former tribes.

It is also thought that the four angels holding back the winds are evil angels, restrained by godly angels. As the former, evil angels are going forth to destroy and the godly angels control them as they must seal the number of those chosen.

Have you ever had a visit from the Jehovah's Witnesses who claim that the total number chosen to reign with Christ in heaven are 144,000 and that you must earn your place? Fortunately the only requirement is the acceptance of the finished work of the cross, the acceptance of Jesus as Lord. In Him all the just requirement of the law is complete. Amen!

It is good to know that our God has a plan for the Israelites, He never let's go, always persists. Amen!

The next scene is us, we will be there! Amen!