An Ordained Pause | Revelation 7:1-8

In Revelation chapter 7, we encounter a powerful pause in God's judgment—a divine intermission that reveals His incredible mercy even in the midst of wrath. Between the sixth and seventh seals, four angels hold back the winds of judgment while 144,000 servants from the tribes of Israel are sealed with God's own name on their foreheads. This isn't just ancient prophecy; it's a profound reminder that God never abandons His people and always provides a way of salvation. The seal these servants receive mirrors the spiritual seal we receive today through the Holy Spirit—a guarantee of our eternal security and ownership by God Himself. Just as these future evangelists will be protected to proclaim the gospel during earth's darkest hour, we are sealed and protected now, not appointed to wrath but to salvation. The question that echoes through this passage is deeply personal: Are we sealed? Do we bear the mark of belonging to Christ? This isn't about religious affiliation or good works—it's about a genuine, heart-level relationship with Jesus. The same God who will show mercy to Israel during the tribulation offers us His grace today, in this period before the rapture. We stand at a crossroads, and the choice is ours: embrace the narrow way through Christ, or reject His freely offered salvation. The sealing isn't just protection—it's a commissioning for service, reminding us that our salvation has purpose beyond ourselves.