I SAW FOUR ANGELS STANDING ON THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 7:1-8)

050116AM I SAW FOUR ANGELS STANDING ON THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH

Chesswood Baptist Church

Where Everybody is Somebody

Pastor Howard Daniel, Jr.

4357 US Hwy 59 South

P.O. Box 343

Livingston, Texas 77351

936-327-8870

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

I SAW FOUR ANGELS STANDING

ON THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH

PASTOR HOWARD DANIEL, JR.

SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 1, 2016

SCRIPTURE READING: REVELATION 7:1-8

Revelation 7:1, 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.

1.	BACKGROUND
	a.	Please refer to the February 28, 2016 Evening Message for the Background

2.	INTRODUCTION
	a.	We will see in this Chapter that God seals a remnant from the Nation Israel
	b.	He also saves a redeemed company of Gentiles.
	c.	We found out the Book of Revelation is a logical book and is easy to understand when we allow God’s Word to speak for Itself. 2 Peter 1:20, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
	d.	We have no right to interpret prophesy to suite ourselves; we need to allow God’s Word to speak to us.
	e.	A working knowledge of the sixty-five book that precede Revelation is helpful in understanding this great book.
	f.	John gives us more details concerning the Great Tribulation period in this Chapter.
	g.	We find the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24-25 has provided us with insight into the seven year tribulation period.
	h.	John is merely widening the scope and gives us additional information.
	i.	We have seen in Chapter 6 the opening of six of the seven seals.
	j.	We will look at the opening of the seventh seal in Chapter 8.
	k.	Because you have notes I will not go back and do review work. I will tell you the subject is about to change; we are now talking about things other than the Church.
	l.	The Church has disappeared and when the seven seal book was found and was opened, the Church had already been caught up to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
	m.	I keep emphasizing this because, there are so many who have been exposed to the false teachings that the Church is going through the Tribulation Period.
	n.	The last seal reflects the last half of the tribulation period.
	o.	At this point we know that ¼ of the population has been destroyed as reflected in Chapter 6.
	p.	Revelation might become difficult for some at this point; however, if we let Scripture interpret Scripture we will be on the right tract. 1 Corinthians 2:13, Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
	q.	John is going to lay down some things for us that will help us understand what is going on.
	r.	He introduces us to the seven’s. In the Word of God seven is the number of completion.
	s.	John lays down a format in the breaking of the seals to the bowls of wrath.
	t.	Between the sixth and the seventh of each is a pause. The pause is where explanatory material is provided for us.
	u.	Chapter 7 is about to unfold and give us extra material to explain what God is dealing with.
	v.	This will also be true of the seven trumpets. John follows this principle throughout so that our path will be illuminated and we won’t lose our way.
	w.	We must depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
	x.	A very logical explanation and one that troubles some people is clearly seen when we rightly divide the Word.
	y.	People will turn to Christ even after the rapture of the Church. Revelation 7:14, 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.
	z.	When we consider the restrainer; the Holy Spirit, He will be taken out of the way. Sometimes there is a question as to how people will be saved. Let’s examine 2 Thessalonians 2:7, For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
	aa.	Since you cannot have a turning to God without the Holy Spirit, can there be salvation without the presence of the Holy Spirit?
	bb.	Nowhere in the Word of God has it been indicated that the Holy Spirit will depart from the world.
	cc.	The Holy Spirit takes on a different ministry after the Church departs.
	dd.	The ministry of the Holy Spirit during the church age was to reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. John 16:8, And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
	ee,	The Holy Spirit indwelled every believer at that time. We were guided by the Holy Spirit and baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. That is what identifies us with Christ. Romans 6:3, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Galatians 3:27, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
	ff.	Then to keep us from losing our salvation the Holy Spirit sets a seal upon every believer. Ephesians 4:30, And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
	gg.	When the restrainer is given a different role people will still be saved. How can this be?
	hh.	The devil will have a field day during that time. God grants that period of judgment upon the Christ rejecting world.
	ii.	Anyone who gets saved during the Great Tribulation Period will go through some tough times, more so than any time in the world. Matthew 24:21, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
	jj.	I am so thankful that the Church will not be here during that period.
	kk.	Chapter 7 will further reveal events during the seven year period upon the earth.
	ll.	The Holy Spirit continues on in the world but He is removed from His role that was assigned at Pentecost.
	mm.	The Spirit will be coming upon men and women.
	nn.	In reading the Old Testament, we find that the Spirit of God worked in the heart and life of many men and women.
	oo.	Many multitudes were brought to God but He was not restraining evil in the world at that time. He was not baptizing believers into the Church which is a New Testament era. This is what He is doing today; baptizing us into the body of Christ.
	pp.	He will still be in the business of getting men and women to Christ; He will continue His ministry as always, renovating and motivating them to come to God. Romans 4:3, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Galatians 3:6, Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. James 2:23, And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
	qq.	I believe Genesis lays out exactly the mission of the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:2, And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
	rr.	The Spirit of God will continue to move.
	ss.	John is going to give us a complete look at how this is going to happen.
	tt.	Between the sixth and seventh seal there was a pause to give us additional information.

3.	FOUR POINTS TO THE MESSAGE
	a.	I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth
		1.	Revelation 7:1, 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.	After this refers to the tremendous judgment of the preceding Chapter.
		3.	The riders of the four horses usher in this terrible judgment.
		4.	A bird’s eye view of the Tribulation period was given and now the details are going to be revealed to us.
		5.	*“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,”*
		6.	Obviously the earth is not flat. Isaiah 40:22, It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
		7.	“four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth”
		8.	When the wind blows on the earth the wind coming from the north makes us extremely cold.
		9.	These angles hold down the wind so that no wind blows at all.
		10.	This would be winds of judgment. God uses wind as symbolic for judgment. Psalms 148:8, Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
		11.	Winds of judgment are being held until God accomplishes His purpose here as He gives us additional information. What is the purpose of God going to be?
		12.	To usher in a period that will be upon the earth where He will seal and take care of a multitude that will come to Him for salvation.
		13.	These judgments that are being withheld will accomplish a great purpose for God; multitudes will come to Christ.
		14.	When trouble comes in the lives of most people they do one of two things: it drives them away from God or drives them to God.
		15.	We have sickness and disease and it will bring us to God or drive us further away.
		16.	I cannot explain every aspect and detail; we will go as far as we can as we rightly divide the Word of the Lord without getting into areas where we speculate.
		17.	There are some people who believe they know when the Lord is coming back.
		18.	None of us know this. The Bible is very emphatic that no man knows the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:13, Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
		19.	It is easy for us to wander into areas where it is obscure in the Word of God.
		20.	We must allow the Holy Spirit to teach us. John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
		21.	John informs us, through the Church of Philadelphia, that the Lord will deliver us from the hour of temptation. Revelation 3:10, Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
		22.	There is no question that the seven year Tribulation Period is not for the true Church.

b.	Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
	1.	Revelation 7:2-3, 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.
	2.	God tells us the purpose of the pause is to seal the servants of God.
	3.	The fifth angel is the one giving instructions to the other four angels.
	4.	In the Book of Daniel and Ephesians there is graduation of angels, both good and bad.
	5.	Here, God sends an angel to provide instruction to the four angels on the four corners of the earth.
	6.	This angel carries a great voice which indicates that frightful furious judgment is about to break forth on the earth.
	7.	It is necessary to seal the servants of God first.
	8.	The Lord never leaves Himself without a witness.
	9.	He is always going to preserve a group for Himself. Psalms 37:28, For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
	10.	He has inspired and Preserved the Word of God for you and I. Psalms 12:6-7, The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7: Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
	11.	Matthew 24:21-22, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. *22:* And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. For the sake of those who have been sealed, this terrible time will be shortened.
	12.	Notice God also has a mark. “have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”
	13.	Satan has a mark.
	14.	We have to confess we do not know from Scripture what this mark of God will look like.
	15.	We do know that it will be the mark of God for the identifying of His people.
	16.	It certainly is not the mark of the beast.
	17.	We can know the true servants of God. Matthew 7:20, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.– By our lives and methods, demeanor and our manners we can know if people are true disciples of Christ or not.
	18.	It is difficult to tell sometimes when people are running away from God.
	19.	The Church is not here during this time because we have a mission at the Judgment Seat of Christ and then at the Marriage of the Lamb.
	20.	The reason for this interlude is to seal the ones who are going to make it through the Tribulation Period.

c.	And there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
	1.	Revelation 7:4, 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.
	2.	Notice God is dealing with all the tribes.
	3.	Men say there are ten lost tribes; God knows exactly where they are.
	4.	He deals with Israel in numbers and dates. Daniel 9:24, Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
	5.	It is amazing when He deals with the Gentile world He seldom deals with number or dates. Revelation 7:9, 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;
	6.	Four hundred and eighty three of these years have already been fulfilled.
	7.	Seven years are left and that is the seven years we are dealing with in Chapter seven.
	8.	These 144,000 males are from all the tribes of the children of Israel; how much plainer can God’s Word be. Revelation 14:4, These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
	9.	We have no right to say these are not Israelites.
	10.	These are people saved after the Rapture has taken place.
	11.	The seal in the forehead guarantees that they will be delivered. Revelation 14:1, And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
	12.	God has never taught that anyone who comes to Him will ever lose their salvation. John 18:9, That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
	13.	There is nothing man can do to earn or gain salvation and there is certainly nothing we can do to lose it.
	14.	We all have the assurance that the Holy Spirit will see us through regardless of how rebellious we are.
	15.	The 144,000 has been chosen by several cults falsely identifying themselves as being these people.
	16.	It is very clear that God is dealing with His chosen people; the Nation Israel.
	17.	This is a very small number compared to the total number of Jews in existence in the world today.
	18.	The last figure I saw was some time ago, there were over 14 million Jews around the world.
	19.	We can see the 144, 000 is a small remnant.
	20.	God says exactly what He intended to say so we don’t need to speculate. From the day God called Abraham there has always been a remnant true to God.
	21.	Today there is a remnant of Christian Jews who are members of the body of Christ; the church. 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: *33:* Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Romans 9:8, That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
	22.	Paul also tells us in Romans 11:4-5, But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5: Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Paul says in his day there was a remnant in the Church.
	23.	There is a remnant today. There will also be a remnant of 144,000 during the Tribulation Period.
	24.	The great Tribulation period in Matthew 24:14 speaks of this period. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
	25.	Evangelists have had a field day with this verse; however it speaks of the Tribulation Period.
	26.	The Gospel of the Kingdom, the Gospel of the Grace of God, and the Everlasting Gospel all point men and women to the Lamb that was sacrificed before the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8, And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
	27.	Abel knew what type of sacrifice he was supposed to bring; Cain also knew but he refused to do what God told him.
	28.	John the Baptist tells us in John 1:29, The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
	29.	There is only one plan of salvation and it is in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is none other that can save other than Him. Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
	30.	It is not going to be long before He will come back and set things in order.
	31.	I will not even consider setting a date of when Jesus will come back. Scripture is clear. Matthew 24:36, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mark 13:32, But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
	32.	God wants to make sure that this is very plain to us, so now He names the tribes.

d.	Were sealed twelve thousand.
	1.	Revelation 7:5-8, Of the tribe of Juda 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.
	2.	If we were to do the math we will find out that this does in fact equate to 144,000.
	3.	We cannot spiritualize this. God said exactly what He intended to say.
	4.	God promised Israel some things in the Old Testament and He will fulfill all of His promises. He has promised numerous descendants and land. With respect to descendants He has already delivered and the land He will deliver at His Second Coming.
	5.	The thousand year reign where Jesus will sit on the Throne, is very much a reality and is to be taken literally and we don’t need to speculate on God’s process.
	6.	It is very interesting that heading this list is the Tribe of Judah.
	7.	Why would this be? Because the Lord Jesus Christ comes out of this tribe. Hebrews 7:14, For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Revelation 5:5, And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
	8.	The tribe of Rueben was the oldest tribe, but they got into gross immorality and lost the first place however they are still included.
	9.	When a Christian sins does that believer lose his salvation? No, but they will lose rewards. Psalms 37:28, For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 1 Corinthians 3:15, If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
	10.	Many Christians are losing rewards every day because they are not where God wants them to be.
	11.	Rueben is a good example of how God deals with this; although he lost his first place, he did not lose out altogether.
	12.	Reuben should have been number one, but Judah was given preeminence. We can read about that in Genesis 49:8-10, Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 9: Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? *10:* The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
	13.	The Tribe of Dan and Ephraim are omitted from this list.
	14.	Both of these tribes were guilty of leading Israel into idolatry.
	15.	History tells us that Dan was the first tribe to fall. Judges 18:30, And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. 1 Kings 12:28-30, Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. *29:* And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. *30:* And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
	16.	Dan is given top priority in the Millennium. Ezekiel 48:1, Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan. This verse reveals that the grace of God can reach down and meet the needs of any sinner.
	17.	The Tribe of Dan is in the Millennium but they are not sealed for the purpose of witnessing during the time of the tribulation period. This tribe lost out on rewards just as believers do today.
	18.	We are moving and hopping around from church to church at the will of the flesh, not even thinking about where God has placed us and what He wants us to do.
	19.	Ephraim was also guilty of idolatry. Hosea 4:17, Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. This has reference to the entire northern kingdom of Israel.
	20.	Ephraim was the leader there and led in the division of the kingdom. 1 Kings 11:26, And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
	21.	The list of the 144,000 includes Joseph which takes the place of Ephraim and Dan.
	22.	Levi was the priestly tribe and they are going to be witnesses during the Great Tribulation Period.
	23.	God told us that He has not given up on the Nation Israel.
	24.	There are scholars today who say that God has given up on the nation Israel; I say to you, NO He has not. Hosea 11:8, How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
	25.	God cannot give up on His chosen people. Romans 11:2, God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
	26.	He said that He will be with them and He has made unconditional promises to them.
	27.	The Old Testament is filled with prophesy God has given to these people and they are a nation forever.
	28.	They are still around which gives authenticity to the Word of God.
	29.	Israel does not mean the Church. Israel is Israel; if God wanted to call Israel the Church He would have done so.
	30.	If God had not intended to seal 144,000 He would have given us another figure.
	31.	These are sealed because they are going to witness during the Tribulation Period where the Gospel will go to ALL the world. Matthew 24:14, And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
	32.	God has never left Himself without a witness.

4.	CONCLUSION
	a.	My sinner friend, if you don’t know Jesus as personal Saviour, none of this is possible for you.
	b.	Would you come to the side of the living Saviour today?
	c.	Regardless of the fact that we have projected ourselves into eternity, the present is where we must come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in this life.
	d.	If we don’t know Him, we will be subjected to the wrath of God.
	e.	The Bible says in Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
	f.	Romans 3:10, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
	g.	Romans 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
	h.	Matthew 11:28-29, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
	i.	Would you come to the side of the living Saviour today and be saved.
	j.	Please stand.

I SAW FOUR ANGELS STANDING ON THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH (Revelation 7:1-8)

Author: Daniel

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