Revelation

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Revelation 7 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Revelation 7 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

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.

(7:1) "I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth."
The earth is flat and square-shaped, or at least quadrilateral in shape.

Hold the press, four corners of the earth, that can only mean that the New York Times believes the world is flat!

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,

(7:2-3) "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees."
God tells his murderous angels to "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of your God on their foreheads."
This verse is one that Christians like to use to show God's loving concern for the environment. But the previous verse (7:2) makes it clear that it was the angel's God-given job to "hurt the earth and the sea" just as soon as they finished their forehead marking job.
(A friend of the family gave us a coffee cup that features this verse and the cute illustration shown below.)

I can't see how this verse has anything to do with the environment. This verse is about God's judgement upon the citizens of the earth: it is postponed, until all the servants of God were sealed.
So I can't see this being of any use to some kind of environmental movement. The real verses to use are to found in the first chapters of Genesis were it is made clear that the owner of the earth is God, and we are merely caretakers.

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.

(7:4) "An hundred and forty and four thousand"
144,000 Jews will be going to heaven; everyone else is going to hell.
Few Christians take the 144,000 number seriously, of course. But the Jehovah's Witnesses do. Boy do they ever! They believe that there are two distinct classes of believers: the 144,000 "Anointed" that are going to heaven and the "Great Crowd" that will remain here on earth. The WatchTower teaches that heaven closed in 1935, and that everyone else will either be killed at Armageddon (if they are not JWs) or live forever on earth.

I believe the author of the SAB is substantially correct in his assertions about the Jehovah Witnesses, but as they hardly believe a thing taught in the Bible and are therefore not Christians, they may defend themselves.
But as the author of the SAB points out: in this book of symbols, the numbers have a symbolic meaning as well. These 144,000 are 12 times 12 thousand, i.e. indicating the fullness and extend of God's servants.

5 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.

(7:5) "Of the tribe of Juda"
What were the 12 tribes of Israel?

See Gen. 49:3.

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.

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;

(Jehovah's Witnesses) (7:9) "A great multitude, which no man could number"
The "great multitude" is the WatchTower's "great crowd" that it claims will remain on earth rather than going to heaven. Yet in this verse the "great crowd" stands "before the throne" and "before the lamb". Where else would the thrown and lamb be besides heaven?

The Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians and believe very little that is found in the Bible.
As the author of the SAB points out correctly, yes, this crowd stands before the throne in heaven.

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

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,

(7:11) "All the angels ... and the four beasts ... fell before the throne on their faces." (FOF)

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.

(7:14) "Washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb"
Those that survive the great tribulation will get to wash their clothes in the blood of the lamb.
BOM: 1 Nephi 12:10, Alma 5:27, 13:11, 34:36

A great mystery, that the washing in the blood of the lamb cleanses. But all who have experienced it will testify it is true.

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.