1) What does it mean for God to be sovereign? How is God’s sovereignty displayed in the Book of the Revelation?
2) What will happen to the Jews in the end? Are they without hope because they missed Jesus as Messiah when He came 2,000 years ago?
3) Name some contrasts that you see around you. Think “dark & light” and “hot & cold.”
Before the seventh seal is opened, judgment is paused for a season until God’s chosen were sealed (7:1-3). The fact that judgment is suspended during this time shows the full extent of God’s sovereignty. He does not simply put things in motion; He determines every step along the way.
Two groups are introduced in Chapter 7. The first group is made up of Jews from every tribe of Israel who were being sealed by God (7:3-4). The Jews were God’s chosen people since the days of Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). And although they failed to recognize Jesus as Messiah when He came, in the last days they will turn to God.
The second group we see in Chapter 7 are those “from every nation, tribe, people and language” who had been saved in the midst of the tribulation (7:14). While the time of the tribulation will be one of great judgment and death, it will also be a time of great mercy and life. To the end, God shows that “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
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