Thankful Worship

May 15, 2011


Background Scripture: Revelation 7:9 – 17
Lesson Passage: Revelation 7:9 – 17

Chapter seven represents an interlude or quiet pause during the time of tribulations. This is the first of two interludes. Each interlude appears to provide a space of time for mankind to repent and turn to God before the final destruction is upon the earth. Many will not repent although the opportunity of grace is available to do so.

There are two groups identified in this chapter that are given divine protection during the time of tribulations. The first group is identified as belonging to the Jewish tribes. The second group is from all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. In other words, the second group is a Gentile group. The Jewish group was sealed; which afforded them divine protection during the upcoming plagues. The Gentile group was protected by being removed from the earth during the great tribulation; they came out of great tribulation. All that belong to God that go into tribulation will be protected from the tribulation plagues whether by seal or removal.

Neither group is referred to as the church. Part of Chapter 1 and all of Chapters 2 and 3 were focused on the church. This focus is gone after Chapter 3. This is where the Futurists’ interpretation of Revelation begins to develop its framework. According to the Futurists’ view, the book of Revelation covers past, present, and future times—which is in agreement with verse 19 of Chapter 1. The church is raptured after Chapter 3 and does not go through tribulation. This viewpoint would identify the Gentile group in today’s lesson as those who are saved during the tribulation.

The Historicist’s view of Revelation is quite different. This view holds that Revelation covers the span of time from Pentecost to the rapture of the church. In other words, the timeframe is that referred to as the Church Age. In this view, the church does go through tribulation and in today’s lesson is shown being delivered out of it.

Whether one subscribe to the Historicist’s view or the Futurist’s view, both views share this common thread, the church is protected from tribulation by removal. One view holds that the church is removed before the time of tribulations and the other view holds that the church is removed during the time of tribulations. These are just schools of interpretation that allow us to view this book of prophecy with a time-constrained framework. Both agree that God does protect His own. When tribulation times occur on earth, Christians everywhere can rest assured that Christ will protect us and that is yet another reason we should express thanksgiving in our worship.


Robert C. Hudson
May 9, 2011