A Seal of the Living God

THE SEALING MESSAGE

Revelation 7:1-4

“And after these things I saw four messengers standing on the four quarters of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that a wind might not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another messenger ascending from the rising of the sun having a seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four messengers to whom it was given to injure the earth and the sea: SLG 3.1

“Saying, injure not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads! And I heard the number of those sealed. A hundred and forty and four thousand were sealed of all the tribes of the children of Israel. SLG 3.2

I have given Professor Whiting’s translation of the above verses in preference to king James’s because I perceive wherein he has differed from the latter in several words; it has made the vision more clear and distinct. For instance, four quarters of the earth is more proper than four corners, because the earth has no corners. SLG 3.3

2nd. A wind, is clear, and admits of a choice of the different kinds of winds spoken of in the Bible, whereas the definite article, the wind, as in king James’s translation, confines us to one kind of wind only. SLG 3.4

3rd. A seal is clear, the seal is not, because there is more than one sealing spoken of in the Bible, viz: seal the Gospel, 2nd Timothy; seal of God; seal of the living God. SLG 3.5

4th. From the rising of the sun, instead of the east: we propose to explain the above more fully when we come to treat of them separately. SLG 3.6

It must be very evident to the Bible reader that John in his vision saw the servants of God sealed with a seal of the living God, just before the four messengers let go. SLG 4.1

In like manner and order, when the passing Angel was to destroy the first born of man and beast in the land of Egypt, the children of Israel (then in bondage,) were strictly required to take of the blood of the pascal lamb, and mark the lintel, (upper side) and two side posts of the doors of their dwellings, that the destroying Angel might pass them. Exodus 12:3-7, 11-14, 22-24. Proof 29-33 vs. SLG 4.2

Ezekiel in his third vision, when he came as he said to destroy the city, (see 8:4, and also 43:3,) as recorded in his 9th chapter, has a prefiguration of this same sealing message, in the same order, and pointing to the same time with John’s revelation. SLG 4.3

It is therefore clear that this is the final sealing message for the whole Israel of God; just preceding or going before the time of trouble. SLG 4.4

As it cannot be proved to be in the past; it is, and must be between this and “the time of trouble such as never was.” We will now try to give an exposition of Revelation 7:1-4; as a foundation for the time and place for the servants of God to be “sealed with the seal of the living God,” and then cite our readers for further proof to the testimony of the Prophets, and Apostles, and our own history. SLG 4.5

“And, after these things I saw four messengers standing on the four quarters of the earth holding the four winds of the earth that a wind might not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree”. SLG 4.6