With six of the seven seals opened and only one remaining before God’s judgment is poured out on the world, John observes in his vision a “timeout” in the form of a pause, almost as if God is drawing in his breath before one more blast:
“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree” (Rev 7:1).
This pause and the blocking of the four winds from blowing on earth, sea, or any tree was in answer to the martyrs prayer before the opening of the fifth seal. However long it takes for the full number of martyrs to follow their brothers and sisters to death in the name of Jesus, the four angels will hold back the devastating winds of God judgment:
“Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with and loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’ And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:” (Rev 7:2-4).
Never think for a moment that God has forgotten his first children, the sons of Abraham! The holiest ones from each of the twelve tribes of Israel will be sealed first:
“12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 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 were sealed” (Rev 7:5-8).
What is taking place in Israel even today is the preservation of the twelve tribes of Israel, who will have accepted in perfect unity that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. How exciting is that? They may come to belief later, but they will be sealed first and preserved before the coming tribulation.
Hurry back for Part 2 of the “Time Out” before seventh seal of the great tribulation is opened. This is the most powerful prophecy ever uttered, or in John’s case ever witnessed. This is where believing Jews rise to their ultimate destiny along with their new Gentile brothers and sisters in perfect unity, together forever and ruling the world together!
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”