Revelation Chapter 7 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
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.
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.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Revelation Chapter 7 (New Testament)
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;
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,
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.
Revelation Chapter 7 (New Testament)
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.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| σφραγίζω — sphragizō | Verse 2 — “…having the seal of the living God…” | “Seal,” mark with authority. | Sphragizō (“to seal”) denotes divine ownership (“seal/mark”). It protects the faithful from coming judgments. The term emphasizes God’s sovereign preservation. — Richard Trench, Commentary on the Seven Churches (1861) |
| φυλή — phylē | Verse 4 — “…twelve thousand of each tribe…” | “Tribe,” clan. | Phylē (“tribe”) identifies covenantal lineage (“tribe”). It highlights God’s faithfulness to Israel. The term preserves ethnic specificity within eschatology. — Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church (1890) |
| ὄχλος — ochlos | Verse 9 — “…a great multitude…” | “Crowd,” assemblage. | Ochlos (“multitude”) depicts innumerable redeemed (“crowd”). It portrays global salvation. The term emphasizes the universality of the gospel. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| περιβόλαιον — peribolaion | Verse 9 — “…clothed with white robes…” | “Covering,” robe. | Peribolaion (“garment”) symbolizes purity and victory (“robe”). It signifies righteous status granted by God. The term reinforces heavenly holiness. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| φοίνιξ — phoinix | Verse 9 — “…palms in their hands.” | “Palm branch,” victory symbol. | Phoinix (“palm branch”) marks triumph (“victory palm”). It reflects ancient celebration of conquerors. The term underscores redeemed victory through Christ. — Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| κραυγή — kraugē | Verse 10 — “…crying with a loud voice…” | “Shout,” loud cry. | Kraugē (“cry/shout”) denotes fervent proclamation (“cry aloud”). Salvation is joyfully confessed. The term reflects collective worship. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ἐκπορεύομαι — ekporeuomai | Verse 17 — “…which proceed from the throne…” | “Flow out,” issue forth. | Ekporeuomai (“to flow forth”) describes divine outflow (“proceed/go out”). It links God’s throne with comfort and life. The term highlights His nurturing care. — Schaff, Commentary on Revelation (1882) |
| ποιμαίνω — poimainō | Verse 17 — “…the Lamb shall shepherd them…” | “Shepherd,” guide. | Poimainō (“to shepherd”) reveals pastoral care (“shepherd/guide”). Christ leads His people into eternal rest. The term emphasizes His tender kingship. — Westcott, Epistles of St. John (1883) |
| ζωή — zōē | Verse 17 — “…fountains of living waters…” | “Life,” vitality. | Zōē (“life”) denotes eternal vitality (“life”). It contrasts with death and suffering in prior chapters. The term promises renewal. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ἐξαλείφω — exaleiphō | Verse 17 — “…God shall wipe away all tears…” | “Wipe out,” remove completely. | Exaleiphō (“to wipe away”) signifies total removal (“wipe away”). Divine comfort leaves no trace of sorrow. The term completes redemptive restoration. — Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 7 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The sealing of the 144,000 represents divine protection and spiritual election. |
| Adolf von Harnack (University of Berlin, Germany, 1851–1930) | History of Dogma | Harnack interprets the great multitude as a theological affirmation of salvation and universal hope. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson emphasizes the pastoral and eschatological reassurance conveyed in the chapter. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer highlights the chapter’s dual focus on judgment and redemption. |
| William Rainey Harper (University of Chicago, United States, 1856–1906) | Hebrew Bible Studies | Harper notes the chapter provides moral instruction through the vision of divine reward. |
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Revelation Chapter 7
Verse: "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14)
Lesson: The chapter describes the sealing of the 144,000 servants of God, representing the faithful remnant of Israel. It also shows a great multitude from every nation and tribe standing before the throne, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches, worshiping the Lamb. The lesson we can learn from this is that God's mercy and grace are available to all who seek Him, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or social status.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: As believers, we are called to live holy and blameless lives, and to be faithful witnesses for Christ. We should not be discouraged by the trials and tribulations that we face in this world, but rather look to the hope that we have in Him. We must continue to seek God's face and trust in His promises, knowing that He is faithful and will ultimately bring us to our eternal home.
Prayer points: Let us pray for the nations of the world, that they may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Let us also pray for strength and perseverance in the face of trials and tribulations, and for the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us in our witness for Christ.
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