Sealed in the Temples of Our God
Revelations Chapter 7
Preparations of the Priesthood
In this chapter we have a surprising event that occurs just before the seventh seal is opened in chapter eight. The world wars ended in1946, and since then there has been relative peace and explosive prosperity. During these last 60 years of peace, the Lord’s servants have done a phenomenal work in promoting the gospel in all corners of the earth. This work of God is reflected here.
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
John sees four angels holding the winds of destruction. The sixth millennium was about to end with the wrath of God poised for annihilation. Suddenly, another angel puts a hold on their intentions: for what reason? To give more time to seal the servants of God on their foreheads. John hears the number 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel. This number is symbolic of priesthood power. The number 12 is symbolic of priesthood authority (12 apostles). Jews would square symbolic numbers to amplify their meaning, thus 144. To remove all doubt of the importance of this work, John multiplied it by 1000. Joseph Smith stated, speaking of these 144,000: “Those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.” D&C 77:11
There is no suggestion here of a specific number; the number represents a group with authority, righteousness, and focus. Sealing on the forehead is symbolic of an abiding commitment to the everlasting gospel, i.e. the everlasting covenants one makes with God. The priesthood administers these covenants, baptism, endowment, and eternal marriage.
5 Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
The enumeration of the twelve tribes of Israel certainly implies a worldwide event, because the tribes were scattered and lost throughout the world ages ago. Once again, the numbers symbolize great priesthood authority. This great sealing work, which the other angel urgently commands, is to be accomplished on an unheard of global scale before the beginning of the seventh thousand years.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the priesthood authority symbolized by the 144,000. It alone administers covenant relationships with God using His priesthood. Those who keep their covenants are sealed to the family of God in the Holy Temples. Temples were restored in the 1800’s through Joseph Smith and have been built in an organized and steady pace as the church grew. Starting in the 1980’s there were 17 temples worldwide. The next ten years brought 26 more temples. Through the 1990’s, the pace to build temples grew substantially throughout the world. As new temples are built in remote places of the world, faithful members of the church eagerly gather there to receive the purifying covenants of our God. In 1999, an unprecedented 15 temples were dedicated, and in the year 2000 alone, an astounding 35 more new temples were dedicated worldwide, bringing the total to 102.
Since the end of the world wars, humanity has experienced relative peace and great prosperity. Yet compared to the time before the wars; arrogance, materialism, debauchery, and evil have skyrocketed. One can surmise that John’s vision of the angel from the east urgently placing a hold on the winds of destruction to allow the sealing of the servants of God has been fulfilled right before our eyes.
God’s Servants are Not Alone
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
John’s attention is now focused on another vast group of the world. These give glory to Christ and recognize that salvation comes only through the Lamb. Their white robes symbolize their purity due to Christ’s sacrifice and the palms symbolize their great willingness to praise him for his abounding grace. It is interesting that the priesthood group is “numbered” and this one “no man could number.”
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Here is a discussion about the identity of this other group, and John is given clues: They came out of “great tribulation,” Christ cleanses them, they serve him day and night while he is with them, they will be fed and lead to “living fountains of waters,” and a time of comfort awaits them.
The great tribulation was the destruction of Jerusalem after Christ’s death, the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophets. The only group that came out of the great tribulation, and believed in Christ, was the primitive church. In subsequent chapters, John will symbolize this group as a woman (the church) who undergoes persecution, escapes into the wilderness, and finds refuge as the earth protects her (Rev 14). They are separate from the group represented by the 144,000. By the time of the end of the sixth millennium, this group has become a vast congregation from “all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” This group is the righteous Christian evangelical movement that has been raised up alongside the restored church. They too have done a great expanding work during this brief halting of the four angels, holding the winds of destruction.