Chapter 7:3
“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”
Chapter Seven is a time of pause, as we await the seventh seal. John the Apostle was now looking away from the events of Chapter Six and saw four angelic beings who are continuing God’s judgment by restraining the winds from circulating the atmosphere and cooling the earth.
“Wait,” the angel was saying. “Wait” before you continue God’s judgment on this world. Something important must be done first. The sealing of the “bond-servants” of God, one hundred and forty-four thousand in total - twelve thousand form each of the twelve tribes of Israel (v.4).
Destruction will come, but protecting His people comes first.
The Truth
The LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst." But to the others He said in my hearing, "Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare.” (Ezekiel 9:4-5)
